Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - The Challenge Executioners (5)
Completion Post:Week #1 - Read a book with an MC who was an orphan or is homeless
Bookcover/link: Falling Down by Eli Easton
Read: 9/9/18
Rating (1-5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1\2
Review: I’ve been putting off reading this book, because it’s not exactly a light read. The MCs both have serious issues - Mark is a vet with PTSD, who’s in the closet and avoiding his family because he thinks he’s a disappointment to them and Josh is homeless, has recently lost his mom and is suicidal at the beginning of the book. Given all that it was actually a pretty hopeful book, though I did bawl my eyes out a bunch. I thought the romance was really well done, given the baggage both these guys have to deal with and the mental health issues were dealt with in a realistic way (no “true love magically cures mental illness” which drives me bonkers). Definitely recommended but have a box of tissues close at hand!
Thanks everyone. We are all prepared and just waiting to see how bad it will get. Our local weather says that the winds should start around 8:00 in the morning. This is probably the last time I'll be able to check in before it starts. As soon as it is over and we get internet restored, I'll check back in and be able to catch up. Have fun everyone and be back soon.
Theme Posted:Week 2
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
SELECTION POSTWeek #2 - Opt 1: Beta MC
My Choice: Fresh Catch
Page numbers: 260
How the book qualifies: #190 on Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
Selection Post:Week #2 - Option 2
Bookcover/link: Evolved by N.R. Walker
# of Pages: 242 pgs
How the book qualifies: Read by Diane on 4/27/18, rated 5 stars
Liz, could you add Diane's rating to your post please.
Week #2 - Read a book with a nerd/geek
Bookcover/link: Here Be Dragons by T.A. Chase
Page numbers: 213
How the book qualifies: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... #52
Diane, the link is correct but could you change Read a book with a beta MC to a nerd / geek please.Thanks
Lisa wrote: "Diane, the link is correct but could you change Read a book with a beta MC to a nerd / geek please.Thanks"
Okay so not all the books on the list meets the requirements, good to know. It was on the list so I picked it without analyzing it. I’ll look for another one. Thanks Lisa
The theme says Beta MC. Should we still change it to nerd/geek?
Sorry, ignore me.Diane, you are fine with the book you choose.
Somehow I thought beta MC was last week.
Lisa wrote: "Diane, the link is correct but could you change Read a book with a beta MC to a nerd / geek please.Thanks"
Sorry I read your response incorrectly. I’m having one of those mornings :D
Diane wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Diane, the link is correct but could you change Read a book with a beta MC to a nerd / geek please.Thanks"
Sorry I read your response incorrectly. I’m having one of those mornings :D"
Sorry, I called you LIz as well. Gosh, what a day.
Question, if I want to change my selection, do I change the original post or create a new one?
Lisa wrote: "Liz, could you add Diane's rating to your post please."Done! :)
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Liz, could you add Diane's rating to your post please."Done! :)"
Can you strike through your original and do a new one.
Put something like change of book in bold so I see it
COMPLETION POSTWeek #2 - Opt 1: Beta MC
Fresh Catch
-9/14 ★★
-I never really connected with the MCs. Because of that this book just ended up okay for me. It also bothered me that Owen got so upset with Cole when he found out who he actually was. Cole tried to tell him. Several times! But every single time Owen cut him off and said he didn't care. The audiobook narrators did a good job though.
Selection Post - Change of bookWeek #2 - Read a book with a nerd/geek
Bookcover/link: Taxes and Tardis by N.R. Walker
Page numbers: 133
How the book qualifies: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... #7
Selection PostWeek 2 Option 1
Booklink: The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles
pages: 208
How it qualifies: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Completion Post:Week #2 - Read a book with a nerd/geek
Bookcover/link: Taxes and Tardis by N.R. Walker
Rating (1-5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: That was such a sweet love story. Take one nerd and add in one jock and you have such a sweet couple. The story revolves around Brent and Logan getting to know each other and falling in love. There was only one angsty moment and that came from one of Brent’s so called friends but it didn’t drag out. The ending was perfect! I loved Tim, he cracked me up.
Completion PostWeek 2 Book with a nerd/geek
LinkThe Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles
Rating 4 stars
Review a delightful re-read from a book I originally read in 2014. So much I forgot. but I loved the paranormal aspects of this historical. Lucien Vaudrey, Earl Crane has spent 20 yeas in exile in Shanghai, China. Upon his return to England he is struck by an insidious curse, that causes him to try to kill himself because he is overwhelm by despair and depression. His manservant Merrick prevented him four times before Crane is convinced to see the English version of a shaman. Stephen Day has many reason to hate the Vaudrey clan. But because his job as Justicar is to help those who are victims of the craft. He does so and realizes that Crane is not like his father and his brother. In the course of protecting Crane, day and Crane fall in love.
Lisa wrote: "Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Liz, could you add Diane's rating to your post please."Done! :)"
Can you strike through your original and do a new one.
Put something like change of book in bold so I see it "
I think this was the answer to your question about changing your selection, Diane. :)
Week 2.Sex Ed
3 stars
Read: 9/19/18
After reading the blurb, I thought this was going to be lol material. In the end I liked it, din't love it.
Jaxsons nerdy behavior began to get on my nerves and I thought some of the jokes had been taken too far.
OK my knee is acting up so if there are no complaints I will let you know tomorrow if I will be using the pass option as I want to focus on finishing up my last couple of S Hunt books.
Roger - president of NBR United - wrote: "OK my knee is acting up so if there are no complaints I will let you know tomorrow if I will be using the pass option as I want to focus on finishing up my last couple of S Hunt books."Feel better!
Roger, did you read The Mystery of the Curiosities recently?Would you mind adding a rating because I would like to use it as option 2 series (for week 3) if you rated it high enough.
Selection PostWeek #3 - Read a book tagged with “magic” (does not have to be a main page genre)
Bookcover/link: Wolves of Black Pine by S.J. Himes
Page numbers: 598
How the book qualifies: Tagged “magic” 15 times
SELECTION POSTWeek #3 - Opt 1: Magic
My Choice: The Consumption of Magic
Page numbers: 450
How the book qualifies: Tagged "magic" 34 times
Week #3 - Option 1: Magic
Book cover/link: Hawk in the Rowan
# of pages: 152 pgs
How the book qualifies: Tagged “magic” by five people
New selection post in message #92
Lisa wrote: "Roger, did you read The Mystery of the Curiosities recently?Would you mind adding a rating because I would like to use it as option 2 series (for week 3) if you rated it high enough."
Done.
Hmmmm, might have to do this one as it is one of my favorite categories. Looking
Roger - president of NBR United - wrote: "Hmmmm, might have to do this one as it is one of my favorite categories. Looking"Thank you
Selection Post: Week 3: Option 1
Week # 3
Bookcover/link The Necromancer's Reckoning by S.J. Himes
Page numbers 340
How the book qualifies: tagged magic 21 time at time of post
Completion Post Week #3 - Read a book tagged with “magic” (does not have to be a main page genre)
Bookcover/link: Wolves of Black Pine by S.J. Himes
Rating (1-5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: I have held off reading this book because of how long it was but since it fit a couple of challenges I sucked it up and started. Now I’m upset with myself for not starting sooner. I absolutely loved it. This is not your normal shifter read with the whole mate, mine and a boatload of sex. The world building was out of this world. The author spared no details and I felt like I was actually there and could feel the snow and bitting cold. We have the story of Luca/Ghost who was lost as a cub when his family was attacked. Everyone thought he was dead except for Kane. During the 15 years that Luca is gone, Kane is trying to track down the traitor in the midst of his pack, as well as the humans that are responsible for the death and disappearance of his pack mates. When Kane comes across this little wolf, who turns out to be Luca, sparks not only fly but they explode. Turns out, they are soulmates. The rest of the story is about them coming together as mates, fighting off bad guys and catching the traitors. And on top of all of that, it’s against their laws for an Alpha and Shaman to mate...oops. The book does end on a huge cliffhanger, with the trial of the traitors, the hunting down of the last bad guy and the consequences of Luca and Kane soulbinding. Now I have a bunch of ARCs to read and challenges to complete, but they all have to wait as I run off to read the next book as I need to know what happens next.
Completion PostWeek 2: Option 2
Evolved by N.R. Walker, 242 pgs/GR
Read: 9/19/18
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
I didn’t love this one as much as everyone else. I enjoyed it but the whole sex robot thing squicked me out. I kept picturing images I’d seen of uber creepy robots of today and couldn’t get that out of my mind. I did enjoy the story once Shaun started to become self aware and the plot with the company that created him added some intrigue and suspense. So it didn’t entirely work for me as a romance but that’s more about me than the book. 😁
Week 3Option 2
214 pages GR
Series book.
read by Roger, 9/16/18 and rated 4 stars
COMPLETION POSTWeek #3 - Opt 1: Magic
The Consumption of Magic
-9/23 ★★★★★
-This series has been amazing. Especially in audio. I've put this book off for a bit because I've been waiting for the next book to come out on audio. But I couldn't wait any longer. The ending was a good kick in the heart. In many ways. I can't wait to get into the next book
Week 3Option 2
The Mystery of the Moving Image
214 pages GR
5 stars
Read 9/23/18
Loved this book. Seb makes me chuckle. He reminds me of Shawn from Shawn's law. Trouble seems to come to him and he is always in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Love him and Cal together. Roll on book 4.
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "SELECTION POSTWeek #3 - Option 1: Magic
Book cover/link: Hawk in the Rowan
# of pages: 152 pgs
How the book qualifies: Tagged “magic” by five people
New selection post in message..."
I changed my pick, Lisa and created a new post.
SELECTION POSTWeek #3 - Option 1: Magic
Book cover/link: Salt Magic, Skin Magic
# of pages: 241 pgs
How the book qualifies: Tagged “magic” by 31 people
Completion Post: Week 3: MagicThe Necromancer's Reckoning
read 9/26 - 9/27
Rated 5 Stars
Not the end for the Series since their is Issac's book with Constantine Batiste out there, and I am hoping for Daniel's book with Rory. Enough with the plug for this series and my wants.
This starts with a mystery consultation with a practitioner who is wealthy and hired another practitioner to call back her husband's ghost. The ghost and his focus was stolen. At the Same time Angel gets a letter saying the High Council of Sorcery is coming to try him for a list of crimes. the High Council abandoned Boston during the Blood Wars and Angel and his mate Simeon are highly skeptical of the motives of the council as is the rest of the boston paramormal leadership. Between getting arrested by the council and summoning a wendigo to make his escape. then Having the Council try to kidnap his apprentice Daniel which led to Angel's familiar Eroch (trouble) becoming his full size as he took magic from Angel through the Familiar bond to rescue Daniel, while Angel was battling a lich the grave robbers had accidentily released to prevent it from killing more people. If that is not enough the council tried to force another necromancer to attack Angel by kidnapping that necromancer's apprentice a ten year old girl. The other necromancer takes control of the lich and Angel challenges the magister of the High Council to a duel with the stake being that if Angel wins the High Council will leave Boston and Montreal and never return. If Angel loses he will be a slave to the council for the rest of his life.
WEEK 4-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
313 pages
Option 2
Read by Roger 9/7/18 and rated 5 stars
"Lisa Galaxies and Oceans. Option 2. Read by Roger 7/9/18 and rated 5 stars"When I see a date in the European dating style it still looks wrong to me.
My husband writes his dates like that too. So every time we have to sign and date a document together our dates never look the same. Lol
Roger - president of NBR United - wrote: ""Lisa Galaxies and Oceans. Option 2. Read by Roger 7/9/18 and rated 5 stars"When I see a date in the European dating style it still looks wrong to me."
Ill change it. thanks
SELECTION POSTWeek #4 - Opt 1: Social Status
My Choice: The Duchess Deal
Page numbers: 389
How the book qualifies:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
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Week #: 1
Bookcover/link: Galaxies and Oceans
Rating (1-5) 5 stars read 09/06 - 09/07
Review: This is a book about healing wounded hearts. Both characte..."
This is on my to read list this month. So glad it was another winner. N.R. Walker has been on a roll lately with really great books!