Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Caption Cooks (1)
Week #1 CompletionDate Finished: 9/12
Theme: One of the MC is an oprhan
Nethergate By Norah Lofts
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I really enjoyed this book. This book is told in the from the perspective of different characters in the book and they all centered around the mc Isabella and her daughter Annabel. Though I liked this book, It took me a minute to get into the book. I thought this was going to be a romance, but its more a mother/daughter story plot. I liked how the story centered around Isabella at first , then towards the end it focused on Annabel . There is some romance, but it really just comes to fruition at the beginning of the story and towards the very end that's it. There is not really much to write home in regards to the romance. Plus, It seems like neither Isabella or daughter can catch a break, they have the worse of luck, so to speak. But I really liked how she wrote the characters. Plus, there was some plots twist that I really enjoyed in this story. Overall, I really liked this book and plan on reading more from this author.
Completion Post - Week 1 - Theme 11 – Option 1Book:
The Darkest Sunrise by Aly MartinezFinished: 12/09/18
Rating: 4★s
Review: Porter is a single dad raising two children after the death of his wife - he is shattered, but must put mourning aside as his son has pulmonary issues and the nearest expert in this area is Charlotte. Only she will have nothing to do with children - she is a broken woman after her baby boy was kidnapped 10 years earlier. These two broken people come together and their only connection is a nothingness in heir soul. I loved this book. And then right at a cruicial part of the plot i got those dreadful words - To be continued .... aaaaarg!!!! - 5 stars immediately becomes 4!!!
Week 2Link to post (so you can click the list links):
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 1
9. Read a book with a beta MC from one of the following lists:
Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
Nerdgasms
Nerdy Guys Are Hot
Nerdy Geeky Heroines of Romance Novels
Nerdy Geeky Heroines of Paranormal and Science Fiction Romance Novels
If you use Option 1 your book MUST be chosen from one of the above lists.
Option 2
Key date: 14 March 2018
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Week 2 - Theme 9 – Option 1Book:
Mr. Impossible by Loretta ChasePage numbers: 324
How the book qualifies - From the list Nergasms - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... - #72
Week 2 selection- Option 1
And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke
Format: Kindle ~ Page: 383
How does it fit: Its #39 in the " Nerdy Geeky Heroines of Romance Novels" List .
Week 2 - option 1Book:
Piper LawsonPage #: 274
How it fits: the book is #212 on the Nerdgasm list
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Week #2 - SELECTIONOption 1
Book:
by K.M. Neuhold Page numbers: 242
How the book qualifies: Nerdy Guys Are Hot list (currently #46, but may change)
Week 1 - Completion Post -- Option 2Call: 11. Read a book with an MC who was an orphan or is homeless ~ from one of the following lists
Book: Lover Eternal - J.R. Ward
How it fits: series sub for Lover Revealed - Raine - 07.02.18 - 5 stars
Pages: 468
Date Read: 09.
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I have to say that this series is living up to its hype. I'm really enjoying it so far, two books in. In all honesty, there were times I felt this book was a little too slow. There is still a lot of world building going on, establishing the overall vampire-slayer conflict and characters within each, and at times I wanted to yell that I don't care about this other stuff, get me back to our main characters' story. I also felt like it was taking too long to get our MCs together. But that may have been a result of all of the other stuff going on that made me feel like their relationship was being drug out. But in spite of all that, I still really loved it. The world, the BDB, Rhage and Mary, all of it, and had trouble putting it down to sleep!
Week 2 - Selection Post -- Option 1Call: 9. Read a book with a beta MC from one of the following lists
Book: Full Domain - Kindle Alexander
How it fits: #247 on Best Gay Romance with Bookish/Nerdy/Geeky Characters list
Pages: 399
Good morning all (or Good day for those way ahead of us in the US)! Hope everyone had a good week and is having a good weekend.
Looks like we're off to a good start :-) We have all made our selections for Week 2, so we are ready to keep moving. I'm so glad I took a peak at these lists before the game started and was able to add a couple of options! There weren't many on these nerd lists that would have worked for me - seems like the ones that were there were too far into a series for where I was at.
Anyway, happy reading this week!
LaurLa wrote: "Good morning all (or Good day for those way ahead of us in the US)! Hope everyone had a good week and is having a good weekend.
Looks like we're off to a good start :-) We have all made our sele..."
Yes me too. I made sure to add some books as well thank goodness!
Book 2 complete Bookcover
PlayRead: 15th September 2018
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Review: I don’t know why I left it so wrong to read this book. I knew I was going to enjoy it when the first chapter was entitled Dick Whisperer! Payton is a newly promoted financial associate trying to compete against all male colleagues and develop more tech clients. Max Donovan is a game developer who needs cash for his new game. Payton and Max need to work together to help Max’s company Titan get their game out on time. Spending time together leads to more than just a working relationship but can anything come before Titan for Max? I also loved the side character Charlie who is the PA to one of Paytons colleagues. Her antics are helarious and her story NSFW I have just added to my kindle as it’s free. She prints Payton such whisperer business cards as she is good with dealing with the assholes! Really good read.
Week 2 - Completion Post -- Option 1Call: 9. Read a book with a beta MC from one of the following lists
Book: Full Domain - Kindle Alexander
How it fits: #247 on Best Gay Romance with Bookish/Nerdy/Geeky Characters list
Pages: 399
Date Read: 09.19
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
These guys are just scrumptious! I'm kind of sad to be leaving this series but I'm also feel satisfied. I don't usually read MM and I probably still won't regularly - probably just if I need to for a challenge. But I started this series for that reason and wanted to finish it. I'm glad I did. These two MCs started out rocky and with some misunderstandings between them but circumstances forced them together, so of course chemistry took over. The suspense story that wove through-out the series ended okay - it was sort of rushed but I was okay with that because I was ready to focus on the relationship between the MCs. I do enjoy this author so will probably come back to her (them) when I need another MM :-)
Hazel - I just noticed that you need to include your date read for both of your completion posts - could you update?
Raine - just checking in - have your finished your book for week one? Did I miss the post somewhere?
Apologies will do that right nowAll updated 😀
Hazel wrote: "Apologies will do that right nowAll updated 😀"
Thanks!!!
Am home today - hope to finish my book 2 today. Still have time up my sleeve I think?
Sally906 wrote: "Am home today - hope to finish my book 2 today. Still have time up my sleeve I think?"Oh yes. It's Thursday here... you have a whole other day!!!
Week #1 COMPLETIONOption 2
Book:
by Rachel Van DykenPage numbers: 296
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I liked this book well enough. Though I am usually not a fan of love triangles and people being married. I'm also not a fan of cheaters and even though Blair's business is exposing cheaters it still didn't sit too well with me. I did find interesting that all the three main characters had their POV. I read this along with listening to the audiobook and I think that is why I gave it 4 stars when I would've given it 3 stars. I liked how the narrators played each person.
****************************************************************
Sorry, I finished this one early this morning, but only just got a chance to post my completion. Starting on the next book now. Hopefully will be done tonight or tomorrow.
Completion Post - Week 2 - Theme 9 – Option 1Book:
Mr. Impossible by Loretta ChaseFinished: 19/09/18
Rating: 3★s
Review: Not my favourite Loretta Chase book – for some reason I am not fond of most books with an Egyptian setting. Still, it was quite readable and a pleasant way to spend an afternoon at home relaxing as I recuperated from a nasty bug. Daphne is a very rich widow who is very, very intelligent, despite the fact that most Victorian men don’t think women have any brains let alone a good one. Anyhow, she is in Egypt trying to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics. Her brother is with her pretending to be the historian so no one knows it’s really Daphne. Her brother is kidnapped and a new papyrus she's been working on is stolen and she ends up employing Rupert to help her find him. Rupert has been sent to Egypt by his father, as he has a reputation of causing trouble. So off they go to find the brother and there is murder and mayhem before true love is found.
Completion Post - Week 2 - Option 1Call: 9. Read a book with a beta MC from one of the following lists
Date Finished: 9/21
And Then He Kissed Her By Laura Lee Guhrke
Rated: 5 Stars
Format: Kindle ~ Page: 383
How does it fit: Its #39 in the " Nerdy Geeky Heroines of Romance Novels" List .
Review: This is the first book in Guhrke "Girl Bachelor's series. I will be continuing on with this series. I just loved this story. There is a apart of me that wished that it didn't end so quickly. I loved the pairing in this. Harry and Emma couldn't have more different from each other. But as the story progresses and they get to know each other and learn from each other. They became better people. Emma was able to open up more, and Harry was able to trust more. Plus I love the messages that were stamped throughout this book. That people should stop caring so much what other people think, because ultimately that could hold us back from finding true happiness. Great book, highly recommend it.
Week 2 Completion
Date Read: 9/20
Rating: ★★★★
This book was funny and sweet. I really enjoyed Julie, Matt and Celeste's characters for their quirkiness. Matt's family was dysfunctional and crazy, especially the parents. I admired Julie and Matt for trying to take care of Celeste even though they were only college students. The mystery twist was predictable, but I enjoyed the ride anyway. I am looking forward to an older Celeste's story in the next book.
Week #2 - COMPLETIONOption 1
Book:
by K.M. Neuhold Page numbers: 242 pages
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Right from the beginning, I loved this story of Asher and Eve. Eve is a very innocent girl off to her first year of college. She is innocent not just because she is a virgin, but that she had been sheltered her whole life with being homeschool her whole life, not having any friends, and being raised by very religious parents. Asher is a junior in college and he is a sexy bad boy who has had plenty of women and grew up poor, living in a trailer with his dad who struggled to make ends meet. He's got tattoos and a bunch of piercings everywhere!!! And he is a genius.
They meet at a party and quickly fall for each other. However well-meaning friends warn Eve about Asher because he has a reputation for being a player, so she ends up dating a Christian boy because he is more 'her speed', but it turns out he is a creepy jerk. I love Asher and Eve's relationship that starts as friendship and turns to lovers.
This is my first read by this author and I am excited to say I look forward to reading more books by her or is it him since the initials are throwing me off, but I don't want to assume that a female writes this since a man could also write a great romance book!!!
Week 3Option 1
7. Read a book tagged with 'magic' (does not have to be a main page genre)
Option 2
Key date: 21 March 2018
Easy call this week!Hope everyone had a good week... and a better weekend😊
Week 3 - selection post - option 1Call 7. Read a book tagged with magic.
Book cover
Pages: 374
How it fits: books 6&7 in the fated saga series - the blurb reads
The Grosvenor Collection includes Books 6 and 7 from the Fated Saga Fantasy Series, Taken and Control.
A prophecy made long ago, claiming that three immortal offspring will bring balance to the world of magic.
But no one can tell them how... is fate bringing them closer to fulfilling their destiny, taking them each on a predetermined journey that will end with just one winner? Or is each step they have taken so far, just a move in someone else’s game?
Laurla can you check this meets criteria? It’s not tagged with magic rather as fantasy but it’s all about doing magic and magic is mentioned in the book description?The 2 books that make up this one
both tagged as magic so I’m presuming it will be ok but if you could double check that would be great. Thanks H x
Week #3 - SELECTIONOption 1
Book:
by Robyn Peterman Page numbers: 222
How the book qualifies: Has 'magic' tagged (on the main page)
Week #3 Selection- Option 1Theme: Read a book tagged with magic.
Double Enchantment By Kathryne Kennedy
Pages: kindle~ 352
How does it fit: Has "magic tagged on second tagged on first page
Hazel wrote: "Laurla can you check this meets criteria? It’s not tagged with magic rather as fantasy but it’s all about doing magic and magic is mentioned in the book description?The 2 books that make up this ..."
Hazel - my gut is saying no just because it's kind of a slippery slope to allow anthologies just because their individual books fit the criteria. But I've asked in the Q&A thread, so we'll see what Fran has to say. You may want to have another option ready. Or possibly just choose to read one of the books in the anthology since individually they meet the criteria.
LaurLa wrote: "Hazel wrote: "Laurla can you check this meets criteria? It’s not tagged with magic rather as fantasy but it’s all about doing magic and magic is mentioned in the book description?The 2 books that..."
I’m happy to read the first book on its own - still meets the page criteria. I have a back up if needed.
Hazel wrote: "Laurla can you check this meets criteria? It’s not tagged with magic rather as fantasy but it’s all about doing magic and magic is mentioned in the book description?The 2 books that make up this ..."
Mod consensus was that you can use it because both books involved are tagged as magic- enjoy!
Fran wrote: "Hazel wrote: "Laurla can you check this meets criteria? It’s not tagged with magic rather as fantasy but it’s all about doing magic and magic is mentioned in the book description?The 2 books that..."
Great thanks!
Hazel wrote: "Fran wrote: "Hazel wrote: "Laurla can you check this meets criteria? It’s not tagged with magic rather as fantasy but it’s all about doing magic and magic is mentioned in the book description?The..."
Yay, Hazel!!!
Week 3 - Selection Post -- Option 1Call: 7. Read a book tagged with 'magic'
Book: Beyond The Darkness - Alexandra Ivy
How it fits: tagged 7 times
Pages: 385
Week 3 - Theme 7 – Option 1Book:
Highland Dragon Warrior by Isabel CooperPage numbers: 320
How the book qualifies - Is tagged ‘Magic’
Week 3 - Completion Post -- Option 1Call: 7. Read a book tagged with 'magic'
Book: Beyond The Darkness - Alexandra Ivy
How it fits: tagged 7 times
Pages: 385
Date Read: 09.22
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This book was about one of the previous books' bad guys... or mostly bad guy. As the King of Weres he was portrayed as an enemy of the vampires and pretty ruthless at getting what he wants. Turning him into the hero of this book made us see inside him a little, but I had to put aside some of my thoughts about him from before. His character didn't exactly match what I'd remembered of him although I guess in the last book we did start to see a more sympathetic side to him. Overall I enjoyed this book as much as the previous ones.
Week 3 completion postBook:
Rating: 5⭐️
Read: 26 September 2018
Review: A continuation of the fated saga stories. Meghan and Colin Jacoby are part of a prophecy along with Meghans real twin brother Colby. They are immortal children one of which will bring balance to the magical world. Colin is trying to control his projector powers and conceal his magic from those who think he is dangerous. Meghan is trying to help Colin, her brother Colby and the banished Svoda with the help of her catawitch, her friend Sebastian and her half brother Ivan. Colby who has had projector powers forced upon him by his father is trying to gain control. He learns that his father has lied to him but wants to make him a king. A number of questions were answered from previous books however they were replaced with other questions. Great read and I was hooked as I have been with the others in this series and can’t wait to read the next one.
Completion Post - Week 3 - Theme 7 – Option 1Book:
Highland Dragon Warrior by Isabel CooperFinished: 25/09/18
Rating: 2★s
Review: Oh dear. This just didn’t light my fire – dragon fire or any other type. This is the first in a series and I think the author needed to spend a little less time on world building and a bit more time on the characters. So much historical information was given that at times I felt like I was back at school instead of reading for pleasure. I finished this – but will not be reading any more in the series.
Week #3 - COMPLETIONOption 1
Book:
by Robyn Peterman Page numbers: 222
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I'm glad this book was free, but like some other authors they give the first book in the see for free to lure you in so you can but the other books. I may not mind so much of it weren't for a few issues I had. The first is that this story ends at about 66% and then had a teaser for the next book in the series and a few other books. Another is that the story moved so quickly it should be labeled a novella. And finally, I realize that the next book is not about her best friend Sassy, but a continuation it's Zelda's story and now I don't have to wonder why it felt that there are things in this first book that didn't wrap up. It's because it is a freaking serial! And the next book costs $3.99 and the book after that costs $4.99 and then I realize Zelda's story first end until book 4. And her books aren't even on Kindle Unlimited! Unfortunately, I don't have that much disposable income that I could just squander it away on a mediocre series.
Week 3 Completion
Date Read: 9/27
Rating: ★★★★
I enjoyed this installment of the Guardians trilogy, despite a slow start in the beginning of the story. The different creatures represented by the core group of characters are interesting. I grew to like Annika and Sawyer as the story progressed, though there were a few awkward moments between them. Her innocence provided some funny moments as well. I am looking forward to the trilogy conclusion in Doyle and Riley's story.
Week 4 Selection Post - Option 1Trade Me
336 pages
How the book qualifies - #88 on the Wrong Side Of The Tracks list
Week 4 - Selection post - option 1Call 8 Read a book with MCs at different ends of wealth or social status from specified lists
Book:
List: #22 in Class differences in contemporary romance https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
Pages: 350
WEEK 4-Link to post https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 1-
8. Read a book with MCs at different ends of wealth or social status from one of the following lists:
Cinderella romance
Romance books with a Cinderella / Rages to riches plot
Best gay Cinderfellas
Best gay romance with characters coming from different backgrounds
Wrong side of the tracks
Class differences in historical romances
Class differences in contemporary romance
Option 2-
Option 2
Key date: 28 March 2018
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Week 4 - Selection -- Option 1Call: 8. Read a book with MCs at different ends of wealth or social status from one of the following lists
Book: His Wicked Heart - Darcy Burke
How it fits: #89 on Class Differences in Historical Romance listopia
Pages: 322
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Calls are made on Fridays - so technically next Friday. However, it doesn't hold us back if you don't finish by the time Jane makes the call. You just can'..."
Oh cool - just starting it so will be finished by Friday.