Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - The Challenge Executioners (5)
Completion Post:Week #6 - From TBR shelf.
No Boundaries by S.E. Jakes
Rating (1-5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: I loved this series & it seems like it's been so very long since the last book. Cole & Marcus are perfect for each other. I only had one issue & that is when Marcus acted the way he did towards the end when he believes that Cole lied to him about who he was and then accuses him of some pretty nasty stuff. I'm glad that it didn't last very long, actually a couple of pages, but I think that Cole should have made Marcus grovel some.
Jenny, please can you try to post at least one review before tonight's call.Thanks
Selection PostWeek # 7 - Read a book with an MC who is a writer (author, poet, screenplay writer, journalist etc):
Bookcover/link: Found At the Library by Christi Snow
Page numbers: 226
How the book qualifies: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9... #14
SELECTION POSTWeek #7 - Opt 1: Writer
My Choice: Dinner for One
Page numbers: 200
How the book qualifies: #35 -
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
Completion PostWeek 5 - Read an anthology or a book written by two authors.
Book Cover/Link -
End of the Line by Lynn Hagen & Stormy GlennRating: 5 Stars
Review:
This book is hilarious. I don't think I'll ever forget the food replicator trying to eat Gigi. This is just a fun sci-fi with lots of action and hijinks. There is always something going on.
I love the entire crew and how new people were added throughout. The great thing is that you got to know each person a bit before someone else was introduced. I didn't have any problem remembering names or what each person did on the ship.
I honestly can't wait to read the next book in this series. I am crossing my fingers that it fits into one of my challenges.
Completion PostWeek #6 - On your full TBR ~ your 'want to read'/'to read' list, not a cut down list ~ do the following steps:
* sort your books by 'date added' with the oldest showing at the top of the page
* at the bottom of the screen set the list to 100 books per page
* select a book in the first 100 results
* note the date when the book was added to your TBR
Book Cover/Link -
Inheritance by Lissa KaseyRating: 4 Stars
Review:
This book was fun to read but had one big thing I started to get irritated with.
I loved the action in the book and that Seiran being what was considered rare - a male witch. It was cool how powerful he was and I understood him hiding his power. I loved Gabe. I honestly don't understand the amount of patience he had. He was amazing because of it though.
The thing that irritated me was Sei's commitment issues. I was really starting to get tired of them part way through the book. It added a layer to the book though, and you couldn't say that it was a fast love story.
Overall, I had fun reading this and loved everything about the magic in the story. I am looking forward to reading about more in the series.
Lisa wrote: "Jenny, please can you try to post at least one review before tonight's call.Thanks"
Sorry Lisa, I just got the message right now and posted two books. I thought I had already posted them and was caught up until I saw your message. It threw me for a minute.
Selection PostWeek 7 - Read a book with a MC who is a writer from one of the lists.
Book Cover/Link -
ePistols at Dawn by Z.A. MaxfieldPages - 210 pgs/GRs
How the Book Qualifies - #4 on Gay Romance featuring Writers/Authors/Journalists list
Lioness7 wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Jenny, please can you try to post at least one review before tonight's call.Thanks"
Sorry Lisa, I just got the message right now and posted two books. I thought I had already posted ..."
Thank you.
Week 7 Option 2: Paws and Claws by M.A. Church
140 pages/GR
Read by Krissy on October 16, 2018 and rated 3 stars
COMPLETION POSTWeek #7 - Opt 1: Writer
Dinner for One
-10/21 ★★
-This was just okay for me. How are you gonna seriously date somebody for a while and never find out their last name? And I started losing interest when too much detail was spent on cooking and food. I don't need minute details for every single recipe. But the boys were sweet and I enjoyed their romance.
Completion Post Week #7 - Read a book with an MC who is a writer:
Found At the Library by Christi Snow
Rating (1-5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: I rather enjoyed this one. I didn’t think the big misunderstanding was that big of a deal and it set things up nicely for us to read Rex and Thomas’ story, which is the story that Mac wrote in the book. This was an overall sweet love story between Mac the author and Tommy the artist who takes books and turns them into works of art. I felt bad for Stig and maybe he will get to find his HEA in a future book.
Week 7: Read a Book with an MC who is a Writer
Book: A Wealth of Unsaid Words by R. Cooper
Pages: 112
Qualification: #92 on the Gay Romance featuring Writers/Authors/Journalists list
Completion Post Week 7: Option 2
Paws and Claws by M.A. Church
rating 3 Stars
A good but short shifter story where an omega Jaguar, Cade Decker, Who is Mated to Alpha Grady Williams to secure an alliance for his pack and to protect Cade from another Omega. Grady has definite views on love and how a mating should be. What he get is what happens when you tempt a goddess with claims that you will never fall in love and pride that you will never beg. Only fools make those claim in a realm where any kind of Deity is active.
Week 7Stranger on the Shore
4 staras
Read: 10/23/18
I really enjoyed the majority of this book. A great mystery and a love affair that played second fiddle to the mystery.
Griff goes to Long Island to write a book about the kidnapping and probable murder of a 4 year old boy.
I didnot guess the guilty party at all. The only thing that let the book down for me was the reveal at the end.
Selection PostWeek 7: Read a Book with an MC who is a Writer
Book: Ride Along by Meghan Maslow
Pages: 136
Qualification: #92 on the Gay Romance featuring Writers/Authors/Journalists list
Lisa wrote: "Week 6Private Charter
Read 10/14/18
Rated 4 stars
Really enjoyed this book with lovely descriptions of places along the Queensland coast that I wish I could visit.
Stuart, who wor..."
Can see this will soon be on my 'currently reading' ~ I love Walker's books that are set in my backyard :D
Completion PostWeek 7: Read a Book with an MC who is a Writer
Book: Ride Along by Meghan Maslow
Pages: 136
Read: 10/25/18
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: This was really good! I loved Meghan Maslow’s book By Fairy Means or Foul so I wanted to see what else she’d written. Sad for us she has a very small back list but quality is better than quantity and this is a really well written book. The characters were interesting and multidimensional. The romance was well developed— definitely no instalove here! It was funny and there was some angst and family drama all packed into a novella. I hope she writes more contemporary romances in addition to her fantasy books because this was a great book!
Week # 8 MusicianBookcover/link Snowcroft Safehouse
Page numbers 272 pages
How the book qualifies https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Selection PostWeek 8: Option 2
Book: The Mystery of the Moving Image by C.S. Poe
Pages: 214 pgs
Qualification: Read by Lisa on 9/23/18, rated 5 stars
Selection PostWeek 8 - Read a book with a MC who plays or writes music from one of the lists.
Book Cover/Link -
Moonlight Becomes You by Piper VaughnPages - 139 pgs/GRs
How the Book Qualifies - #9 on MM with musician MC list
Selection Post:Week 8: Read a book with a MC who plays or writes music from one of the lists: MM with Musician MC
Bookcover/link: Chasing Death Metal Dreams by Kaje Harper
Page numbers: 265
How the book qualifies: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4... #49
Diane wrote: "Selection Post:Week 8: Read a book with a MC who plays or writes music from one of the lists: MM with Musician MC
Bookcover/link: Chasing Death Metal Dreams by [author:Kaje Harpe..."
SO GOOD!
SELECTION POSTWeek #8 - Opt 1: Musicians
My Choice: Gasp!
Page numbers: 264
How the book qualifies: #27 on https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Completion PostWeek #8 - Read a book with a MC who plays or writes music from one of the lists: MM with Musicion MC
Chasing Death Metal Dreams by Kaje Harper
Rating(1-5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: Wow this was a really good story. My only really issue is the overuse of “um”. It was used so often that they started to jump out at me. But after awhile I just ignored them. Poor Carlos he went through a lot. You get to see him at a young age when he starts a new school and tells the teacher he goes by the name Carlos. We find out that his parents didn’t want him and shipped him off to the states to live with his aunt and uncle. We also get to see a little of how he was treated wby the police when he was stopped for speeding and it was assumed that he was an illegal alien. To say the least he was an angry individual is putting it mildly and so his attitude, and the heavy metal lifestyle fit. Nate is the complete opposite of Carlos. He is a sweet, caring artist who is fostering a deaf feral cat. His twin is the lead singer of another heavy metal band and at a gig, that is where these two meet. That are attracted to each other almost immediately. But Nate is weary as he has been hurt several time previously and is slow to really trust. When Nate finds out that Carlos is trans, he doesn’t blink an eye. This was a really good book about these two navigating waters where homophobia is still pretty prevalent and trying to make a life for themselves. I fully recommend this one.
Roger - president of NBR United - wrote: "Diane wrote: "Selection Post:Week 8: Read a book with a MC who plays or writes music from one of the lists: MM with Musician MC
Bookcover/link: Chasing Death Metal Dreams by [aut..."
Yes it was!
Week 8Riven
4 stars
Date read: 10/28/18
Interesting story of a rocker who retired from the game due to drink and drug issues and the younger rocker who doesnt want the fame and attention that being the lead singer of a popular band brings.
The two meet one night in a seedy club in NY and see each other when Theo is in town.
I liked the two of them. Caleb still struggling with his addiction although he is now clean and worries that being around Theo might lead to him going backwards.
I liked that the two men didnt have an easy path to their HEA.
Completion Post Week #8 - Opt. 1: Musicians
Gasp!
-10/28 ★★★★
-Nigel grew on me slowly. But he was definitely hard to like at first. Gomez Pugh did an amazing job with the audiobook. Not surprised. In fact he might have made the story more enjoyable than it would have been if I'd read the ebook instead.
Completion PostWeek 7 - Read a book with a MC who is a writer from one of the lists.
Book Cover/Link -
ePistols at Dawn by Z.A. MaxfieldRating: 4 Stars
Review:
This book was a fun story. It had areas where it would make me laugh, and I loved the whole author is a girl instead of a guy thing. That type of inclusion in a book always makes me interested in reading it.
I thought all the characters were great. I have to say that Will was my favorite though. He just always seemed to be so positive. I also loved that he had no problem telling Kelly what he should do.
Sure, the book was a bit slow in the beginning. I could see that it would pick up further on, and that is what kept me going. I am glad I did because I wouldn't have wanted to miss this. I have read other ZA Maxfield books and this one is up there with the better ones. It definitely makes me want to check out the ones I haven't read.
Week 9Option 1
1. Read a book set in the UK.
Please note the country setting in your selection post.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, simply called the United Kingdom or UK, is a sovereign state in Northern Europe. It is a constitutional monarchy that is made up of four separate countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Option 2
Key date: 2 May 2018
Selection Post:Week 9: set in the UK
Bookcover/Link: Relief Valve by J.L. Merrow
Page numbers: 307
How the book qualifies: England - the following is from book 1: Warning: Contains a flirtatious plumber with hidden talents, a cashmere-clad private investigator with hidden depths, and an English village chock full of colourful characters with plenty to hide. Book 2 is a continuation of the same characters. There really is anything in the blurb of book 2 that would show that it’s in England other than the use of the word cheeky.
Selection PostWeek 9 - Read a book set in the UK.
Book Cover/Link -
Mary Hades by Sarah DaltonPages - 286 pgs/GRs
How the Book Qualifies - Book set in North Yorkshire. (Book blurb: Scarred physically and mentally from a fire, her parents decide a holiday to an idyllic village in North Yorkshire will help her recover. )
Completion PostWeek 8 - Read a book with a MC who plays or writes music from one of the lists.
Book Cover/Link -
Moonlight Becomes You by Piper VaughnRating: 4 Stars
Review:
I started reading this book thinking one thing would happen and it never did. I guess I thought from the blurb that this book would be like a couple of other rocker books I've read. I'm not disappointed though. I loved that this book was different.
This book had great characters and a wonderful storyline. I was surprised at how much fit into a shorter work. I don't feel like it was missing anything.
I have to say that Kayden was probably my favorite character. I liked that he could change the way he acted so much. He could be hot and cold. It made for him being an interesting character.
I really enjoyed my time reading this and am excited that it is part of a series. I can definitely see myself reading more.
SELECTION POSTWeek #9 - Opt 1: Set in UK
My Choice: Romancing the Ugly Duckling
Page numbers: 260
How the book qualifies: Set in Scotland. From the blurb: "When Perry is stranded on North Uist, this conflict seems insurmountable."
Selection Post Week 9- Option 2
Book: Stranger on the Shore by Josh Lanyon, 226 pgs
Qualification: Read by Lisa on 10/23/18, rated 4 stars
[ book:Stranger on the Shore|20738173]
Hi Team, just a gentle reminder, if you choose option 1, you need to either add a list, copy a bit of the blurb etc to show that it is set in the UK. Putting set in .... isnt enough I am afraid.Jenny, please amend your week 9 definition to set in UK, currently it has musician.
Many thanks
Week 9 - Set in UKOption 1
Truth Will Out
204 pages GR.
How it qualifies: (from chapter 14)
If I’m lord of the manor, in Merrychurch, what can he do to prevent me from living as I want to live? In Manchester he’d been free to do just that, away from the prying eyes of his father. No one gave a shit that he was Jonathon de Mountford, youngest member of one of the oldest families in England.
Completion Post Week 8: Snowcroft Safehouse
Read 11/1/18
Rated 5 Stars
Declan Jasper is the sole surviving member of the group Black Rainbows. He is now in Witsec because he is a witness in an major case against a prominent mob figure who caused the explosion that killed his fellow group members. He now goes as Finn Alexander. Law, a secondary character from the first book in the series, also a FBI agent is charged with protecting him. Finn is now a band teacher for snowcroft's middle school.
Jack Walker is the father of one of Finn's students. He also own the local bar/restaurant. Jack is captivated by Finn at first sight. but think Law is Finn's lover and relieved when he finds out that they are half-brothers. Jack come to love Finn even when he realizes who Finn really is and that he has been lying.
Thing come to a head when Finn is kidnapped by the mobster. who also kidnaps Jack's daughter, Kelsey. Finn/Declan is injured when he creates a distraction which allows Kelsey to get away. Finn spends a little more than 2 weeks in a coma, recovering from the brutal torture inflicted on him.
Week 9Truth Will Out
5 stars
Date read: 11/4/18
Having seen a review on this book by one of my GR friends, I decided to give it a try.
Its definately a mystery book with the romance coming a distant second. Apart from a few kisses there is no sex in this book, but you know thats ok because the mystery is so goos, it kept me guessing up until the last few pages.
Jonathan, comes to Merrychurch to stay with his uncle for a few weeks. When his uncle doesnt show up to pick him up from the train station, he starts to walk to de Montford hall when he is given a lift by Mike, an ex copper who is now the pub landlord.
When they reach the hall, Jonathan discovers his uncle is dead.
Using family influence, Jonathans father, a London barrister pulls a few strings and gets a pompous DI from the Met to investigate the killing.
However, Mike and Jonathan do a little investigating of their own.
As this book is marked #1 in a series, I am hoping we get to see alot more of Jonathan and Mike.
Highly recommended for those of you who like a good mystery and don't mind a book with no sex.
COMPLETION POST Week #9 - Opt 1: Set in UK
Romancing the Ugly Duckling
-11/03 ★★★★
-Cute book. Really enjoyed the MCs together. Extra star for Joel Leslie's narration. I always enjoy his work.
Lisa wrote: "Hi Team, just a gentle reminder, if you choose option 1, you need to either add a list, copy a bit of the blurb etc to show that it is set in the UK. Putting set in .... isnt enough I am afraid.J..."
Sorry, did a copy and paste to save time and forgot to change the category. It is fixed now.
Completion Post Week 9 - Option 2
Book: Stranger on the Shore by Josh Lanyon, 226 pgs
Read: 11/4/18
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: I read this when it first came out and loved it. It was one of my first Josh Lanyon books and I've been wanting to re-read it. It totally lived up to my memories. So moody and atmospheric. Creepy and gothic. The mystery and suspense aspect was superb, I loved the cast of characters. The romance was the weakest part of the story. It was just a little too rushed but I still enjoyed Griffin and Pierce together and their enemies to lovers romance. I'd just like an epilogue or something with Griffin and Pierce to see how they're doing once things calm down. I listened to the audio book and the narrator Sebastian York was fantastic.
Selection Post Week 9: Takes place in UK.Romancing the Ugly Duckling by Clare London
260 pages
How it fits:
from blurb: Ambitious fashionista Perry Goodwood lands the project of his dreams—track down a celebrity family’s missing brother in the Scottish Highlands and bring him back to London for a TV reality show. But first he must transform the rugged loner into a glamorous sophisticate.
Liz, just checking if you are still working on your week 8 book?
Completion Post Week 9: Set in the UK
Relief Valve by [author:J.L. Merrow|
Rating(1-5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Review: 4.5 stars as I had the bad guy figured out, but for the wrong reasons. Toms Aunt LOL has passed away and has left him something and he will have to use his gifts to find it. So we have the mystery on who his is trying to kill his sister and why. Cherry’s fiancé is on the tad bit weird side. His hobby is taxidermy and they are all over his place. Really creepy. We also have the romance between Tom and Phil that has progressed to the exchanging of keys, though that is later in the book and an “I love you”. The are some sexy hot moments but they are mostly done off page. I would like a few more on page. I really need to get moving in the rest of these series.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Option 2
Love and Payne by Charlie Cochet
read 10/15 - 5 stars
Unlike a lot of reviewers whose reviews I read, I was not bothered by the fact that Austin acted like an asshole at time as it was built in with an explanation I could understand. It must have been hard for him to have to deal with the extended Zachary clan. Osmund Zachary (Zach) is the youngest of his generation of bears in the clan. so even though all his brother are also in the THIRDS organization, he still finds himself protected and babied no matter how much he might not want to be. How does Charlie Cochet find all these megalomaniacs for here THIRDS and now the THIRDS Universe series? OK how many X-men comic readers here? sound like the mutant haters all over again.