Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Backstage Antics (12)
1. Introduce yourself to your team. Let your team members know where you are from. This is a great to know when categories are announced and when team-mates can expect other members to post their book choices.2. Team Captain - reserve a couple of posts in this thread tracking your team's book selection and completion. (Alternatively they could convert a chat comment to the tracking post/s.)
3. Name your team. Using this round's theme of GILBERT & SULLIVAN, come up with a fun name. We are an open/public group with no age limit, so please make sure any chosen name is smart, not smutty ;)
Please PM your name to Jane(PS) by 5 September.
4. If you have a private profile, please 'friend' your team-mates. This is really important, because without this, your team-mates can't see your shelves to select a books under option 2.
5. Please post your book selections/completions in the format provided below. (This format is also posted in both the Q&A and Sign-Up threads.) We need to know the week that each book corresponds to, the page numbers, and how the book qualifies including links to lists/shelves (where applicable), etc. I can't stress this enough. When in doubt - link it*!
* don't link to your review in your completion post - reviews in your completion posts should be included in full in that post.
You don't want to start reading a book and then find it doesn't meet the requirements because some information (eg page count or theme link) was missing from your original post.
I will be monitoring this and your book will not be considered complete until I am satisfied that your selection and completion posts comply with the format rules of the challenge.
Remember - you can ONLY change your book selection in the week that the theme is called.
6. You MUST check in with your team each week, ideally once the theme is announced. Please let your team know if you expect to have spotty communication or are on holidays or having an operation.
7. When you post the completion of your book, you must post a review; enough for us to know you have actually read the book. Please don't link to a review. You must post the review in this thread.
8. Re-reads are allowed but you can't read the same book twice within this challenge.
9. There is no prize for the winning team - bragging rights only :)
10. Each week, the theme will be announced in the Q&A Annoucement thread. The full list of themes announced during this round will be maintained in msg 1 of that thread.
The Rule on the Pass Option
* Each team can only have ONE member using their pass each week.
* Each member can only use that pass once each 5 weeks.
* This means that one or two team members (dependent upon the size of your team) will miss using a pass in each 5 week block.
* No-one can use the pass option in the last week of the challenge.
* In the final week if Option 2 is used, members must select their book from another team. This will be advised in the week 11 announcement.
Key selection and completion post information. You must have ALL elements in your book posts.The format for selection posts Option 1:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please insert a link to the qualifying bookshelf/list.
If the theme is based off the bookcover or a letter in the title etc, please just repeat the theme.
The format for selection posts Option 2:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.
Format for completion posts:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review
Please DO NOT CHAT in these selction/completion posts. It needs to be super clear.
If you 'waffle' about your decided book - please REPOST your selection once you decide. DO NOT go back and edit your waffling post.
Key selection and completion post information. You must have ALL elements in your book posts.The format for selection posts Option 1:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please insert a link to the qualifying bookshelf/list.
If the theme is based off the bookcover or a letter in the title etc, please just repeat the theme.
The format for selection posts Option 2:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.
Format for completion posts:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review
Please DO NOT CHAT in these selction/completion posts. It needs to be super clear.
If you 'waffle' about your decided book - please REPOST your selection once you decide. DO NOT go back and edit your waffling post.
I'll be tracking each team's progress separately, using the Captain's summary in each team's thread to check for accuracy.
✔Week 1: Orphaned/Homeless MC*Required List Choice
(view spoiler)
✔Week 2: Beta MC (Geeky/Nerdy Characters)
*Required List Choice
(view spoiler)
✔Week 3: Tagged "magic" (Does NOT need to be main page genre.)
(view spoiler)
✔Week 4: Cinderella/Fella or Social Class Gap
*Required List Choice
(view spoiler)
✔Week 5: Successful Duo (No Mandatory List; 2 authors for book to qualify)
(view spoiler)
✔Week 6: From 100 oldest shelved on your TBR(view spoiler)
✔Week 7: Writers
*Required List Choice
(view spoiler)
✔Week 8: Musicians
*Required List Choice
(view spoiler)
Week 9: Set in the UK (No Mandatory List)
☑ Michaelle: Lovers Leap, 202 pgs/GR DONE
☑ Eugenia: As You Wish, 238 pgs/GR DONE
☑ Danielle Gypsy: Rend, 303 pgs/GR (Option 2, Series Rule) DONE
▢ Logan: Why Kill the Innocent, 335pgs/GR
☑ MyzanM: Helping Hand, 107 pgs/GR DONE
☑ Fran: I Will: A Christmas Novella, 144 pgs/GR DONE
Week 10: Building On Cover (No Mandatory List; post cover image)
☑ Michaelle: In the Middle of Somewhere, 350pgs/GR DONE
☑ Eugenia: Galaxies and Oceans, 313pgs/GR DONE
☑ Danielle Gypsy: All The World's An Undead Stage, 200pgs/GR DONE
▢ Logan: Imitation in Death, 356pgs/GR
☑ MyzanM: Home and Heart, 103pgs/GR DONE
☑ Fran: Snow Angels, 100pgs/GR DONE
Week 11: Author F & L Initial the Same (No Mandatory List)▢ Michaelle: Stronger by A.M. Arthur, 155pgs/GR (AA)
▢ Eugenia: Out in the Deep, 149pgs/GR (Option 2)
☑ Danielle Gypsy: First Time by Stella Starling, 107pgs/GR (SS) DONE
▢ Logan:
▢ MyzanM:
☑ Fran: Smitty's Sheriff by Cardeno C., 117pgs/GR (CC) DONE
Hi guys!I'm Michaelle (pronounced as if there were no A in there, promise) and I live in Las Vegas. It was still 104 degrees this afternoon, I just got back from a 6-week trip through the Pacific Northwest, ID/MT and up into Alberta for a bit...then SD/NE...plus MN/WI...then MO to visit family (and a 10-day hospital stay, not fun!)...and NM on the way home. I cannot WAIT for this challenge to start because I am in desperate need of guidance in what to read now. (Especially since I will not be venturing outside again until it cools off to below 90. Many of the cities we visited are looking mighty appealing for long-term/relocation at this point!)
I read mostly MM Romance, but love MMF menage as well. Last PtP challenge I actually ventured out of my comfort zone and I'm hoping to do that again. Don't be surprised if I ask for a rec from one of you guys, especially if the called category has links with a lot of MF titles (I'll give anything a try, and I do have a couple MF titles on my TBR shelves). I love all genres...though I have to admit SciFi and Historical are my favorites.
*****
I do so very much suck at team names, but a bit of Googling lead me to some songs by Gilbert & Sullivan - the theme meant to inspire us - and thought...well, this is a Romance Reader Challenge, right? There's actually a song with the lyrics, "Love, unrequited, robs me of my rest" and considering how many books have kept me up at night (when I should be "resting") I thought something like Love, Unrequited might be a good option.
And, LOL, that's the only one I'll chime in on. Any other suggestions?
Hi team 12! I’m very happy to be here! Thanks for being our captain, Michaelle!My profile is private, so I will be ‘friending’ everyone tomorrow so my shelves are visible :)
I love contemporary romance, but I also enjoy some historical and pnr once in awhile. I read m/f, m/m, and any additional m’s or f’s that can be added on, lol.
It’s late here in NY, so I will try and think of some team name ideas tomorrow. I really like your suggestion Michaelle!
Hi all! I know some of you! This is my second time doing this challenge and I’m excited to do this one with Michaelle captaining! (I think this is the first time we’ve ever been on a team together, huh?).I’m in Alaska, so I get calls early. I teach part-time (English and Acting). I’ve a husband, daughter, and dog.
I read just about everything, but mostly MM these past few years. In MF land my favorites were historicals.
Mich, your trip sounds fantastic aside from the hospital stay!
Right now we’re in Homer for the weekend and it’s absolutely lovely here. Haven’t visited in a few years.
Names...Sing it loud, sing it proud!
And that’s it for now! When do we start!
Hi everyone!So exited to try this challenge! It's my first time for PTP, but I'm a challenge addict so I'm not new to the whole team challenge thing...
I read mostly some sort of romance (duh!), but will read pretty any book that catches my eye. (And some that are cringe worthy if they fit a challenge...)
I'm from Sweden which means calls are likely to come when I'm in bed... don't expect me to be the first to post a selection!
At this point my brain is fried so no suggestion of team names.
Hi Fran, Myzan & Eugenia! Waiting on a couple more team-mates to check in...and I hope they come with name options! We have to have one picked by the 5th.Tomorrow is Labor Day in the US so holiday plans might be holding people up, though.
(Also Eugenia, considering how many challenges we've participated in I'm really surprised that this is the first time we're on a team together!!)
And The Tony Goes To...CenterStage
The A List
The Divas
The Casting Couch (I like this one :))
Somehow I knew that our resident actress would excel at coming up with names for this particular theme!!
Backstage AnticsBehind the Scenes
Bravo!
Encore!
Curtain CallTake a Bow
Tah Dah!
The Understudies
I think Backstage Antics is so cute!
Musical MammasProvocative Performers
voluptuous vocalists
Sexy Singers
Leading LadiesCome Into my Dressing Room
And I’m out. Driving back north with spotty reception and a barking dog. 😘
Hey everyone - I'm in Arizona where it's still ridiculously hot! I have two teens and a pitbull. I read romance and nothing else :) I'd say 70% M/M and 30% M/F and sometimes I'll throw another M in there but it's always hit and miss on whether I'm going to like it. I do love PNR and UF and a good romantic suspense whether it's M/M or M/F. As for names I like Backstage Antics but the only one I came up with is:
One Night Only
Hi all! Sorry to check in so late! I’m Logan and I’m in Orlando, FL. I am a shift supervisor at Starbucks and love coffee! I read a little of everything, but haven’t read M/M in awhile so let me know if there are any new ones out there I need to read.
For names I like Backstage Antics and The Casting Couch. I’m so bad at clever names but here goes:
Reading by the Ghost Light
Spotlight on Romance
Vaudevillian Vixens
I'm pretty sure Jane will call the theme early for this week if every team gets their name in. It looks like Backstage Antics is getting a lot of interest.....what do you think captain Michaelle?
I really like that one (Backstage Antics) and if everyone else agrees I'll send it in to Jane.
I vote yes for Backstage Antics :)
Earlier Danielle posted that she liked Backstage Antics as well...just waiting on Myzan; I'll be up late tonight - which I think means it's early in Sweden - and when I get an okay I'll send it to Jane.
⚣❣☙ Cocky™ Michaelle ❧❣⚣ wrote: "Earlier Danielle posted that she liked Backstage Antics as well...just waiting on Myzan; I'll be up late tonight - which I think means it's early in Sweden - and when I get an okay I'll send it to ..."You have a majority and I'm sure Myzan will be OK with this. I'm going to just change it now since I'm online and won't be again until tomorrow :)
You can let me know if you all decide on a new name :)
I'm good with it and I'm sure Myzan will be as well :) I've been on a lot of challenges with her and she isn't picky about the name.
Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "I'm good with it and I'm sure Myzan will be as well :) I've been on a lot of challenges with her and she isn't picky about the name."You know me Danielle, I'm fine with what ever, but I do like Backstage Antics.
I've had a couple of busy days and forgot to check back here. Sorry about that. I'm usually good at checking in and making my voice heard!
There has been an early call!Week 1
Option 1
11. Read a book with an MC who was an orphan or is homeless ~ from one of the following lists:
Gay romance featuring an orphaned MC
All Grown Up: Romance novels featuring former foster children finding love
Adopted: Romance leads who were adopted
Gay romance featuring a homeless MC
Homeless romance hero or heroine
UNICEF defines an orphan as a child under 18 years of age who has lost one or both parents to any cause of death. So I've added two more lists:
Best romance with a single parent
MM single parents
If you use Option 1 your book MUST be chosen from one of the above lists.
Option 2
Key date: 7 March 2018
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Selection PostWeek #1
Book: Dex in Blue
Page numbers: 350
How it Fits: #17 on Gay Romance Featuring a Homeless MC
Oh wow, got up to use the rest room and randomly thought I'd check GR...thanks for keeping us in the loop Myzan! (Me missing half a day of posts is what happens when I finally get to take a pain pill for my tooth!)
⚣❣☙ Cocky™ Michaelle ❧❣⚣ wrote: "Oh wow, got up to use the rest room and randomly thought I'd check GR...thanks for keeping us in the loop Myzan! (Me missing half a day of posts is what happens when I finally get to take a pain pi..."I hope you're feeling better soon!
Selection PostWeek 1 - Option 1
Sinnerman by Mary Calmes
150 pages
How it Qualifies: Currently #44 on Gay Romance Featuring an Orphaned MC
I feel like choosing a Mary Calmes book is "cheating" because, well, don't ALL of her books have at least one orphaned MC? But then again...it's up next on the series and I need an audio to listen to!
Selection Post- Week 1Week 1- Option 1
David’s Selfie
Pages- 131
How it qualifies- #27 on this list- MM Single Parents- https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
Selection PostWeek 1 - Option 1
Stormhaven
176 pgs
#82 on the Gay Romance Featuring an Orphaned MC list
So the fact that we all read some M/M romance means I just know I'm going to be adding a bunch of books to my TBR after reading the reviews from this challenge!
⚣❣☙ Cocky™ Michaelle ❧❣⚣ wrote: "I feel like choosing a Mary Calmes book is "cheating" because, well, don't ALL of her books have at least one orphaned MC? But then again...it's up next on the series and I need an audio to listen to!"As I recall the audios in this series aren't great. But MCalmes is such an easy option.
COMPLETION POST Week 1
Option 1
Home by Cara Dee
187pp/GR
3 Stars
Good story.
But......Something, something was missing here and I just can’t put my finger on it. For a story about a homeless rentboy and single dad, this was a pretty fluffy story. Maybe that was the issue. The beginning was pretty gritty and angsty, and then I was slapped upside the head with a pound of sugar. From angst to fluff. It felt too sudden. I didn’t feel the change in our man who had been living on the streets for eight years.
It was missing a layer.
Still, I shed a few tears and laughed out loud a few times and shuddered at some marvelous kissing scenes.
Completion PostWeek 1
Option 1
David’s Selfie
Rating- 4*
Review- This was so cute! I like my romances angst-free these days, and this one hit the spot. A very small amount of drama/misunderstanding predictably towards the end, but not much. Craig is so sweet and adorable, the very sexy exotic dancer that is really more than the sum of his parts ;)
David has a lot on his plate. He's kind of nerdy (love), and they both feel like they don't deserve each other/belong together.
It's super sweet and some holiday cheer is thrown in - bonus!
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
First Time (other topics)Smitty's Sheriff (other topics)
Smitty's Sheriff (other topics)
First Time (other topics)
Stronger (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Stella Starling (other topics)Cardeno C. (other topics)
A.M. Arthur (other topics)
Roan Parrish (other topics)
Stella Starling (other topics)
More...
Maestro: ✔ Michaelle
Ensemble:
✔ Eugenia
✔ Danielle Gypsy
✔ Logan
✔ MyzanM
✔ Fran