Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Reading Queens (4)
Selection PostOption #2
Week #5: Read a book with an MC as the housekeeper or similar.
Bookcover/link:
Page numbers: 310
#4 in series, #3 in series on Grace’s read shelf, read 12.30.17, rated 4 stars
Week 5: Read a book with an MC as the housekeeper or similar.Completion 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
Completed 4.9.18 *4 Stars*
I enjoyed this one, but I don't think as much as I did the earlier ones. It felt like there were more secrets in this one, maybe that was it? It was nice to see solutions being developed for the town, rather than just the usual 'getting by'. I did like the characters and enjoyed the story though. Light, fun and easy - never a bad thing!
I listened to the audio and think Matthew Shaw does a great job with the narration! He really captures the personalities of the quickened. His characters are easy to distinguish from each other and his pacing is good as well.
Week 5Option 2
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
357 pgs per GR
Qualification: Read by Nikk on Jan 22, 2018, rating 5 stars
I updated the tracking and this is where we stand:Week 4 - Grace - missing completion post
Week 5 - Caipi - missing selection post
I will be pretty busy the rest of the week, so I'm glad I finished my book already. I hope you all are having a good week!
Completion Post:Week # 5 - Option: 1
Book: A Countess Below Stairs
Date Read: 10h April
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
When I read the prologue I was sure this would end up being a DNF for me because the writing was clunky and I had no interest struggling through 300+ pages of that. Thankfully the rest of the book flowed well and I really enjoyed this one. It is slow and character based rather than heavy on the romance but I loved seeing all the characters in and around the estate, as well as the setting itself and getting bits and pieces from different side characters really helped to flesh out the main ones seeing them and their actions from others points of view. My only slight complaint would be that we don't get to see the pair together and I would have liked a glimpse of how that worked
Selection Post Week #5Option 1: Read a book with an MC as the housekeeper or similar
The Virgin Manny by Amy Lane, 228 pgs.How it qualifies: #15 on the list Manny MM
Completion PostWeek 5 - Option 2
Book: Borrowing Blue by Lucy Lennox
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I had reservations going into this. A lot of my friends liked it but thought the family drama was OTT and it was! Good lord, there were a lot of things going on outside of the romance, but, I loved the MCs. Blue and Tristan were delightful and adorable and super hot together and they just fit from the moment they met, so the insta!love didn't bother me like it usually does. I enjoyed the journey to their HEA so much that it was worth it to experience all that family drama to get there.
In fact, I enjoyed the Marian family enough to start the next book in the series, even though it doesn't fit any of the challenges I'm doing. These books are like potato chips -- you can't stop at just one!
Looks like we are good for the theme call tomorrow. =) I will update the tracking tomorrow - I would just mess it up if I tried to do it tonight. Still some completion posts outstanding, but not a problem yet. Grace, you will need a completion post sometime over the next week though.I can't wait to see what we get for this week!
Completion Post Week #5
The Virgin MannyRating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review:
A cute, low-angst story, with adorable characters, some really funny moments and lovely banter, but also sometimes boring and rather unrealistic.
On a busy day, Tino is helping out his sister by home-delivering prepared dinners to her customers. On his last stop he meets Channing, a successful businessman, who has lost his sister a few weeks ago.
Channing has taken over the custody of his seven-year-old nephew and, quite overwhelmed with the current situation (his grieving nephew Sammy, an impertinent housekeeper, his own business which is a two hour commute away now, a lot of obligations and of course his own grief), he persuades Tino to accept a job as the manny during the summer.
And right there started my problems with this book.....
Who hires a total stranger to look after a child?!
Then the amount of money Channing was willing to pay for Tino's help! Paying off Tino's complete student loan and some more?!
But yeah, if you don't take the sense of reality too serious, it's a nice, fluffy story.
Not quite done with my read but should finish tomorrow
I'll be finishing my week 4 book later today and will start week 5 this weekend. If it's okay with everyone else, would it be okay if I used the pass this week?
Grace wrote: "I'll be finishing my week 4 book later today and will start week 5 this weekend. If it's okay with everyone else, would it be okay if I used the pass this week?"It's fine with me, Grace.
Grace wrote: "I'll be finishing my week 4 book later today and will start week 5 this weekend. If it's okay with everyone else, would it be okay if I used the pass this week?"That should be ok, no one seems inclined to use it and I tend to think of it as first come, first served. Remember you need to make a selection post saying you are using the Pass.
Just throwing out options for you since you have started your week 5 book - you could change your selection to Pass for this week. That leaves you the option to take a pass later in the challenge if necessary - if you take it in week 6 you will not be able to us that again. But, big but here, you need to decide that and make a new selection post if necessary before the theme call this week!! Once the new theme is called, you can't change your book or option.
MountainKat wrote: "Grace wrote: "I'll be finishing my week 4 book later today and will start week 5 this weekend. If it's okay with everyone else, would it be okay if I used the pass this week?"That should be ok, n..."
I think I'll do that since I still have a couple hours til new theme post. I'll post below to change for week 5
Grace wrote: "Week 5:Pass Option"
Gotcha, I will update our tracking with that in a bit. =)
New theme! The post with links to the threads is HERE.Week 6
Option 1
10. Read a book set in the woods or featuring a home/cottage from one of the following lists:
Nature Lover-Romances With Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, Mountain Climbing And More
Cabin Romance
Gay Romance that Takes Place in the Woods
Gay Romance Featuring Sex in the Great Outdoors
So You're a Homeowner
Renovation Romance
If you use Option 1 your book MUST be chosen from one of the above lists.
Option 2
Key date: 13 Ocotber 2017
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads when you post your selection and completion posts.
Week # 6 - Option: 2Book: Practice Makes Perfect
Page Count: 227
Read by: Caipi on 12th March 2018
Rated: 3.5 stars
Week 4
Frost Burned
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Overall a good book in the series. I have to admit I like her Alpha & Omega series a little better (that may because I started that series first), but I am really enjoying Mercy's world. The beginning really drew me in and I liked seeing Mercy act as the alpha's mate and take care of the pack. I also liked seeing Stefan play a bigger role in this story. It also had just the right amount of fae, or rather the fae characters you actually care about. I did like the running joke about Marsilia's car through out the story.
Selection Post Week #6Option 1: Read a book set in the woods
Sticks & Stones by Abigail Roux 332 pgs.How it qualifies: #4 on the list Gay Romance Featuring Sex in the Great Outdoors
Week 6: Read a book set in the woods or featuring a home/cottage.Selection Post
Dearest Ivie by J.R. Ward, 145 p. per GROption 2: #15.5 in series, #13 in series on Nikk's read shelf, read 11.22.17, rated 4 stars
Completion Post Week #5
Archangel's BladeDate read: 4/14/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Review:
I am starting to understand why everyone I know raves about this series. The book kept me pretty hooked from start to finish. I was lucky enough to meet Nalini Singh last week and after hearing her say that series was essentially Elena and Raphael's story so I was a little surprised when I realised this book concentrated mostly on Dmitri and guild hunter Honor with Elena and Raphael only playing small parts in it. Though probably the title should have given it away LOL. Anyhew i found i was pulled into the story pretty quickly and held there the whole book. I found Ms Singh weaved the different threads in this story really well and I became really invested in the characters. It was good also to be able to see Dmitri in another perspective other than Elena's and find out more about him and his history. This book also made me excited about reading on in the series and seeing where it goes.
Selection Post - Option #1Week #6: Read a book set in the woods or featuring a home/cottage.
Bookcover/link:
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne JonesPage numbers: 304
How the book qualifies: #119 on So You're a Homeowner list
Selection PostWeek 6: Read a book set in the woods or featuring a home/cottage.
Book: Fire on the Mountain by P.D. Singer 212 pgs
Qualification: #5 on the Gay Romance that Takes Place in the Woods list.
Completion Post:Week # 6 - Option: 2
Book: Practice Makes Perfect
Date Read: 14th April
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This was a cute somewhat hot edition to the series and would appeal to anyone wanting an agst free read but it lacked that extra omph to push my rating past a 3.
Great work team! Everyone has finished Week 5 and made their selections for Week 6. And Tink has already finished her Week 6 book! =)If we are playing to win, we need to make sure we are up to date before the last theme call. Then we need to pick and read fast! We have a big disadvantage with the theme call being the middle of the night for some, but it is possible to overcome that!
Week 6Battered Not Broken by Celia Kyle
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: This was just an average shapeshifter story. Nothing really stood out. It was on the short side, so I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters. Because of the length, there really wasn't any depth to the story, and major plot points tended to be explained rather than shown. It was also lacking humor that can usually be found in Celia Kyle books.
Completion PostWeek 6
Book: Fire on the Mountain
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This was enjoyable enough. Not particularly memorable (which makes me wish I’d written this review right after I finished the book!). I liked the setting of this story. It takes place in the mountains of Colorado where the MCs are on a work crew fighting fires for the summer. I found the parts related to fighting fire really interesting and not surprisingly, the most exciting parts of the story had to do with fighting fires as well. The strangers to friends to lovers romance was nice, though I did get a little tired of Jake's internal monologue about how much he lusts after Kurt but shouldn't and since we only get his POV, it got old really fast. There’s a follow up to this but I don’t know if I care enough about the couple to find out what happens next.
Selection PostOption #2 - changed from Msg 174
Week #5: Read a book with an MC as the housekeeper or similar.
Bookcover/link:
Page numbers: 342
#9 in series, #6 in series on Grace’s read shelf, read 3.31.18, rated 5 stars
Week 6: Read a book set in the woods or featuring a home/cottage.Completion Post
Dearest Ivie by J.R. Ward, 145 p. per GROption 2: #15.5 in series, #13 in series on Nikk's read shelf, read 11.22.17, rated 4 stars
Completed 4.20.18 *4 Stars*
Sweet story. Lighthearted and funny early on - I really liked Ivie's personality! Heartbreakingly sad as the story progressed, but of course a happy ending. I am hoping these characters make an appearance again in the future.
Got your update Nikk!Tracking is updated, just missing completions from Caipi and Nikk for Week 6. New theme in about a half an hour...
I just hope I can find an audiobook for it, rather than one of the ebooks on my list. Audios are so much faster for me!
New theme!Week 7
Option 1
6. Read a book with something from the list below found on your bookcover:
*a mirror
*a shiny/reflective surface (eg glass, sheet metal, body of water)
*an item that would shine if the sun or a light was directed on to it (eg knife blade, spurs, watch, jewellry).
Please show the bookcover and note the item in your selection and completion post.
Option 2
Key date: 20 Ocotber 2017
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads when you post your selection and completion posts.
Week 7: Read a book with something shiny on your bookcover.Selection Post
Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb, 387 p. per GRItems on cover that would shine in direct light - hammerhead and shoe straps.
Week 7: Read a book with something shiny on your bookcover.Selection Post
Sticks & Stones by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban, 322 pgs/GRQualification: compass is shiny gold
Yay! I found a book that works for this challenge and Bingo, which just started today in the MM Romance group. I'm trying my best to make all my books work for as many challenges as possible or else I'll have no time to do anything but read (I may have a problem with signing up for too many challenges :-D).
I love when that happens! I needed my book for the Monthly Challenge and it is a carryover from a M&G round too - so I was really glad it worked here. =)
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "Yay! I found a book that works for this challenge and Bingo, which just started today in the MM Romance group. I'm trying my best to make all my books work for as many challenges as possible or els..."That's perfect, Liz! I also always try to find books which fit more challenges. Too bad I already read Sticks & Stones for week #6! ;)
Maybe I'm lucky and find another one that fits PtP and Bingo...... :)
And hey, I'm sure playing too many challenges is not possible!!! ;)
Completion Post Week #6
Sticks & StonesRating: 5 stars
Review:
This was a re-read/re-listen for me and I've to say that I still love this series! I can't get enough of Ty and Zane together! :)
It's awesome to see how they fight criminals, but also how they fight their inner battles, their emotions. How they need each other but are not able to admit the extent of their feelings right now. And knowing what's to come in the following books, it's really great to pay attention to some minor details.
So I will raise my original rating from 4 to 5 stars!
(And on a side note, I still didn't like Ty's dad!)
Week 7
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
381 pages per GR
Qualification: A shiny/reflective item-Sword Blade on cover
Selection Post - Option #1Week #7: Read a book with something shiny on your bookcover.
Bookcover/link:
Night's Honor by Thea Harrison
Page numbers: 289
How the book qualifies: There is a reflective body of water on the cover
Selection Post Week #7Option 1: Read a book with a shiny/reflective surface (eg glass, sheet metal, body of water)
Valor on the Move by Keira AndrewsPages: 274
How it qualifies: Guy on the cover wears sunglasses
Week # 7 - Option: 1Book: The Bride
Page count: 358
How the book qualifies: has a reflective body of water on the cover
Completion Post Week #6
Magic BindsDate read: 4/22/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Review:
As per usual with this series, I couldn't put this book down. Except this time I can't immediately go to the next book. The storyline in this instalment flowed really well and you could really feel the pressure building providing an ending that left you satisfied but still really excited for the next book. I also love the way the characters are written they are scary and funny and full of life and you can't help but be drawn to them. I now have to join the rest of the horde anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. A most definite 5 star read.
Completion Post:Week # 7 - Option: 1
Book: The Bride
Date Read: 24th April
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I love a fiesty heoine that isn't affraid to stand up for herself and the banter between these two is so much fun. Plus, watching big grumpy Alec fall in love makes me a happy camper.
Completion Post Week #7
Valor on the MoveRating: 5 (4,5) stars
Review:
Loved it!
I enjoyed every minute reading this book. The sweet, forbidden romance between Rafa, the 21 year old son of the current President, and his bodyguard Shane, a 39 year old Secret Service agent.
Rafa may be shy and innocent in a lot of ways, grown up very sheltered at the White House, but he knows exactly what he wants! I loved his dirty mind! ;)
Shane is a loner, who lives for his job, especially since his parents died a few years ago. But he's also caring, protective, strong and dependable. Just what Rafa needs. And Rafa steals his way into Shane's heart and brings him back to life from his autopilot-like existence.
I'm glad there will be a follow-up book available in a few days, because I'm really curious how they will settle into their new life together!
Week 7: Read a book with something shiny on your bookcover.
Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb, 387 p. per GRItems on cover that would shine in direct light - hammerhead and shoe straps.
Completed 4.25.18 *4 Stars*
Another good one in this series - they don't get old for me! Not as emotional as some, but that's ok, sometimes just the crime solving is enough. I didn't figure out early who was the bad guy, it wasn't the sort of story where you could really. I was just along for the ride and enjoyed myself!
I listened to the audio and thoroughly enjoyed Susan Ericksen's performance!
Tracking is updated again. Looking good going into the end of this week - all selections made, several completions too.
Completion Post Week 7: Read a Book with Something Shiny on the Cover
Book: Sticks & Stones
Read: 4/26/18
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
This was even better than I remembered. I love the setting of this book. Ty and Zane go to West Virginia to visit Ty's family while they're on a forced vacation from work. A hike and camping in the mountains seems like a good idea, but nothing is ever easy with theses two. They've got to figure out how to be together outside of work and of course they stumble upon some illegal activities happening in the woods and all hell breaks loose. This is such an action packed story. I also loved getting to meet Ty's family. His dad though. Grr. And double grr every time Richard Burns is mentioned. Now I'm ready for the next one!
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Week 5: Option 2
Book: Borrowing Blue by Lucy Lennox, 282 pgs/GR
Qualification: Read by MountainKat on 3/6/18. Rated 4 star..."
Thanks, MountainKat. I'm enjoying it so far. I'm usually not a big fan of insta-love but I like the MCs so much, it's not bothering me like it normally would.