Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Backstage Antics (12)
COMPLETION POSTWeek One
Option 1:
Dex in Blue
Rating: 4.5 Star rounded up to 5 Star
Review: I honestly can't say whether I liked the first book better or not because while they were running concurrently they were very different books. Chase in Shadows was full of angst and tear jerking moments and Dex in Blue didn't have the angst level but it still had plenty of emotion. I adored Dex and Kane and in fact can say as a couple I actually liked them better than Chase and Tommy.
What I really liked was how differently they grew up and yet they fit each other and helped each other heal and they could be each other's family and accept each other for who they were. Amy Lane is a great writer and she's able to make me see the characters as real people with issues not just as porn stars (which before I read the first book I honestly wasn't sure I could get past). So while the second book didn't have the high degree of angst it still had plenty of emotional moments and characters with depth. The relationship felt very realistic and I was rooting for these two throughout the book. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Completion Post Week 1
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
It’s been awhile since I read book 2 so I had forgotten some of the details from the plots and what Griffin and Percival had gone through to this point. At times I felt a little lost as I tried to get my bearings, but the story was still enjoyable. There were lots of really interesting pieces here, but I wish there had been more suspense built in. Loved meeting Griffin’s family and learning more about his backstory, and the cult stuff was fascinating and introduced a new element, but I felt disconnected from the action. Like I was just waiting to see what happened instead of worrying that anything bad would really happen. It was good, just not great.
Great job team! I'll have mine up later today...
New category is up!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
Nerdgasma
Nerd 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
Book: Imago
Pages: 162
How it Fits: #134 on the Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
Selection PostWeek #2 - Option 1
Book: Criss Cross
Pages: 163
How it fits: #48 on the Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
Selection PostWeek 2
Option 1
GhosTV by Jordan Castillo Price
379pp/GR
#166 On Best Gay Romance w/Nerds, etc.
Selection PostWeek 2 - Option 1
Practice Makes Perfect by Jay Northcote
227pgs/GR
Currently #311 on Best Nerdy... list.
Selection PostWeek 2- Option 1
One Con Glory
Pages- 112
How it fits- #41 on Nerdy, geeky heroines list- https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
COMPLETION POST WEEK 2, Option 1
GhosTV379pp/GR
#166 on Gay Romance Nerd List
******4.5 Stars*******
My FAVORITE PsyCop novel to date!!!!!! I absolutely loved this one (even having to read it on an iPhone!!).
My favorite thing: I saw growth, so much growth in Vic. He changed for me. I’ve always liked him, but I didn’t get him. Finally, I do. Why? Because he fought for something outside of himself—Lisa. He gained a totally new perspective on Jacob and physic abilities. He gained a new perspective on himself—and for once he wasn’t drowning the world out via medication.
Jacob, too, was portrayed differently at times. He was vulnerable and this made him much more human to me.
So I guess for me, aside from a kick ass plot, the reason I loved this 6th novel was because I could relate to the characters much more than I ever could before. They became three dimensional for me; they became real.
I know many of you have read this series and that I’m a little late to the party...so what I’m saying is nothing new.
For those of you who have yet to rsvp, what are you waiting for? Pick up the first book and get started!
COMPLETION POSTWeek 1 - Option 1
Sinnerman by Mary Calmes
150 pages
How it Qualifies: Currently #44 on Gay Romance Featuring an Orphaned MC
Rating: 3.4 Stars
Argh, this one pains me to rate. It's the installment I was most looking forward to as the way the other Warders reacted so negatively to Rafael seemed entirely out-of-proportion/over-the-top...which made me think he was a misunderstood pseudo-demonish character, judged for his origins rather than his actions.
And that IS who Rafael turned out to be...but man, it didn't feel like it. The summary mentions a hidden "tenderness" - and maybe it was the narration, but that did NOT come through at ALL. I mean, he's not the evil entity most of the Warders assumed he was...but those sex scenes and other interactions didn't really hint at any kind of "tenderness." (Could also be that the story was told from Jackson's POV and he didn't really experience that aspect of Rafael much either.)
Also, this one was all over the place with the drama; and what's with a gay man "falling in love with" (his words) a straight, pregnant, married woman? That was so confusing - I couldn't tell if we were gonna veer off into MMF territory or something else...but no, just weirdness.
So disappointed.
(Of course, I'll still listen to rest...because I'm a completist and I have to see how it all ends.)
COMPLETION POSTWeek 2 - Option 1
Practice Makes Perfect by Jay Northcote
227pgs/GR
Currently #311 on Best Nerdy... list.
Rating: 4.0 Stars
This one had the potential to be my favorite of the series...and there is a sex-worker themed story - which I love - so that's saying something. That said, the lack of communication and misunderstandings got to be a bit tedious. I absolutely adored Dev and his list of sexual acts that he is determined to learn - which he thinks would make him more appealing "boyfriend" material - and how he thus barters with Ewan to "tutor" him...something about the awkward, shy boy just appealed to me. He was so clueless sometimes...but that's who his character was painted to be. I expected more from the older, more experienced and worldly Ewan; he seemed to understand that Dev wasn't your "typical" bloke and yet didn't factor that in when struggling with whether or not to reveal his emotional attachment as they checked off each milestone...so it led to more angst than I felt was really necessary.
But still, I do enjoy the way JN writes...and the setting is always interesting, to say the least. This neighborhood must have hella fun block-parties. (Is that even a thing in the UK?)
Also, I seem to have read/listened to at least one of them out of order (6?), but it doesn't appear to have mattered much in the grand scheme of things. It sounds and reads like the plots/action in the books of this series occur simultaneously...which is a bit confusing but also kinda cool because then you aren't necessarily stuck completing them in "order." (Of course I feel all kinds of discombulated and will probably re-read/listen to #6 when I get there...for, uh, reasons? IDK, I'm weird.)C
Sorry I haven’t posted yet. I have my book and will be reading tonight and tomorrow. I’ll get my selection post up when I get home tonight. :)
Completion PostWeek 2- Option 1
One Con Glory
Rating- 4*
Review-
This was another cutie! I'm on a roll! Julie was a nerdy, geeky delight. She got herself into a few very funny situations and had me smiling throughout the story. There were a lot of sci-fi and fandom references I wasn't familiar with (I only recognized the Buffy ones), but it didn't detract from the enjoyment of the story.
Logan wrote: "Sorry I haven’t posted yet. I have my book and will be reading tonight and tomorrow. I’ll get my selection post up when I get home tonight. :)"No problem!
Selection PostWeek 2 - Option 1
And Then He Kissed Her
375 pgs
#36 on the Nerdy Geeky Heroines of Romance Novels list
COMPLETION POSTWeek 2
Option 1
Book: Imago
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review: 3.5 Stars. This was a really sweet, romantic and no angst book that I enjoyed. The characters were adorable (especially Lawson). I loved the way they met and found it very cute. I like that they took there time getting to know each other (well as slow as you can when you only have a week). I found both their jobs interesting as well. Honestly, this was just a very sweet, easy read.
COMPLETION POSTWeek 2
Option 1
Book: Criss Cross
Rating: 3
Review: A good book, but it didn’t draw me in like the first book. It might just be that I set my expectations too high. I really like troubled characters and this book have that. I just didn’t connect like I expected.
Completion PostWeek 2
Option 1
Rating: 4 stars
This took a long time to heat up but once it did it was on fire! I really appreciated the slow burn and how Marlowe and Emma overcame their own issues to find happiness with each other. I also loved that Emma wanted to be a writer and had her own goals and ambitions other than marriage. It was such a fresh take on a historical romance! No balls and fancy parties, but business meetings and bookshops and a woman who can live quite comfortably on her own merits. The only reason I knocked off a star was because I do think the beginning dragged on a little long.
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
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Selection PostWeek 3 - Option 1:
Book: By Fairy Means or Foul by Meghan Maslow
Pages: 254/GR
How it Fits: MPG Magic
⚣❣☙ Michaelle ❧❣⚣ wrote: "Selection PostWeek 3 - Option 1:
Book: By Fairy Means or Foul by Meghan Maslow
Pages: 254/GR
How it Fits: MPG Magic"
This AUDIOBOOK KICKS ASS!!!
Totally listening to it right now and I've already snorted and splorted at least 3 times.Also: MPG is "Main Page Genre" - as in it's here on GR and tagged so that it shows up on the main page listing for the book. Not require for the category this week but an easy way to point at how a book fits the category. Otherwise you'll need a Listopia entry, or some way to show it's tagged as magic somewhere (like at Amazon, Hoopla, publisher, etc.).
Eugenia wrote: "⚣❣☙ Michaelle ❧❣⚣ wrote: "Selection PostWeek 3 - Option 1:
This AUDIOBOOK KICKS ASS!!! "
You know, if I HAD to listen to ONLY ONE Narrator for the rest of time, it would totally be Greg Tremblay/Boudreaux because he's just the best at everything - and his accents are always amazing.
I don’t know what I’m picking yet....:-/
SELECTION POST WEEK 3: Magic Tag
Option 1
A Ferry of Bones & Gold by Hailey Turner
401pp/GR
How it fits: “Magic” MPG
I actually used this List if you're looking for something:MM Romances with Witches or Magic...just make sure that the book you pick is tagged (by someone, even if it's on the last page of "See Top Shelves") as MAGIC.
Eugenia wrote: "SELECTION POST WEEK 3: Magic Tag
Option 1
That one was on my shortlist, too. I wanted something to listen to though!
Eugenia wrote: "SELECTION POST WEEK 3: Magic Tag
Option 1
A Ferry of Bones & Gold by Hailey Turner
401pp/GR
How it fits: “Magic” MPG"
Can't wait to see what you think of this. I love her Meta Humans series so I've got this one on my radar.
Week 3Option 1
Tidal Wave
Pages- 108
How it qualifies- shelved 3 times as 'magic' on the first page of top shelves for this book.
COMPLETION PostWeek 3 - Option 1:
Book: By Fairy Means or Foul by Meghan Maslow
Pages: 254/GR
How it Fits: MPG Magic
Rating: 4.7 Stars
This is quite possibly the funniest book I have ever listened to...like side-cramp inducing funny. Like people kept looking at me, askance funny while I was walking in the park yesterday tryin' to catch some shiny Pokemon, yo. Between Meghan's story-telling and Greg's narration, there was no way I could keep myself from loud gaffaws, no matter where I was. That kind of LOL funny.
I absolutely adored that the unicorn is an asshole. I mean, hell...that's a weaponized pony. It's not romantic, or sweet, or magical. Okay, it's magical magical, because it's a freaking unicorn...but he's not a My Little Pony version of a unicorn, or something out of a hazy, dreamy, supernatural tale. No, he's the shithead version of what's on Scotland's coat of arms.
And OMFG, the mental image of just how in the hell Twig's miniature-sized fae father managed to impregnate his dragon-shifting mother is a bit like that one picture of a toy chihuahua mounting a mastiff. (I couldn't find the one I'm referring to, but I'm sure you get the point.) That guy deserves the machismo he's bringing!
I'm so not good at the whole comparative literature thing, but something about this book reminded me of the Aenid...or was it the Odyssey? Anyway, one of those historic, heroic wandering poems with it's many tasks and travels to different lands where the protagonist(s) meet and beat (or escape from) some other being trying to capture/use/enslave them. (See, I suck at this.) Which is what kept my interest from start to finish. I was invested in how it would all turn out.
Also, Bill. Who doesn't love a demon like that? I need more of him...I hope he's in the sequel more. And I hope the second one comes out on audio because I think I'm going to hold off on reading it until I know one way or the other.
I can easily see myself listening to this again, it was that entertaining!
⚣❣☙ Michaelle ❧❣⚣ wrote: "COMPLETION PostWeek 3 - Option 1:
Book: By Fairy Means or Foul by Meghan Maslow
Pages: 254/GR
How it Fits: MPG Magic
..."
I'm soooooo happy you listened to this!!!!
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 3, OPTION 1
Magical Genre Tag
A Ferry of Bones & Gold by Hailey Turner
401pp/GR
Fits: MPG Magic
4 Stars (barely)
Dang!
Well, this is my third go at writing this review before my Kindle deleted everything. (I miss my iPad!).
Let’s leave it at a few critical observations:
1. It’s Urban Fantasy.
2. Gods, magical creatures, magic users and normal humans roam our contemporary world.
3. Hell and it’s allies are seeking to take over topside.
4. The gods are in this fight and still use humans/creatures/magic users as their pawns.
5. Hermes is a punk rocker.
6. The military has magic combat branches as do the intelligence agencies.
7. The world building is confusing at first.
8. After an initial WTF is going on, I got into the story.
9. There is a lot less sex than in Turner’s Metahuman series.
10. Lots o’ action.
I enjoyed it after my initial confusion. If you need to brush up in your gods, use the glossary.
Cheers!
Completion PostWeek 3- Option 1
Tidal Wave
Rating- 3* (barely)
Review- We’ll this was something new for me- dolphin shapeshifters. Pretty much merfolk porn, lol.
Alexia’s mind is about to be blown. She’s next in line to lead a pod of merfolk, and lucky girl, she needs lots of sex to ascend to the throne. I liked Alexia and Anthony, but couldn’t warm up to Joshua. Alexia had no problem with it though ;)
Selection PostWeek 3 - Magic Tag
Option 1
Book: Pale as a Ghost by Stephen Osborne
200 pgs/GR
How it fits: Tagged "magic" by 14 people. (1st page of tags)
Completion PostWeek 3 - Option 1
Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven
Date Read: 9/24
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: It's hard to get the first book in a fantasy series just right as there is a whole bunch of world building that needs to be done and the introduction of the characters but this book got it perfectly IMO!
This is an epic story of a Gladiator type character that will go down as one of my favorites. Azarion was sold into slavery and forced to fight in an arena for the past ten years. He has also been subject to torture and rape from the empress. He finally sees an opportunity to escape when he notices that one of the girls that is sacrificed in the annual Rites of Spring is the same women year after year. Gilene has a special brand of magic that not only allows her to cast an illusion making herself look different but also to control fire and therefore survive being burned during the Rites of Spring. Every year, the empire collects a woman from each town and burns them during the rites.
Gilene takes on that roll for her town year after year and no one except the people of her town are aware of the deception until Azarion.
Azarion forces Gilene to help him escape and then kidnaps her to take back to his people to help him regain his rightful place as leader of his people. This is an enemy to lovers story that is a wonderfully slow build. The relationship between Azarion and Gilene takes time to develop as they slowly begin to form a connection and Gilene begins to see more of Azarion then just the person who essentially forced her to help him. There is plenty of action as the two journey back to his homeland and still more as Azarion fights to reclaim his place. The book is full of lies, schemes and epic battles all perfectly balanced with a beautiful romance.
I was on the edge of my seat for parts of this book and while I wanted to rush through to find out what happened I also wanted to savor the experience. This book had everything I want in a fantasy - epic battles, great world building, a satisfying romance, scheming characters, villains you can't wait to see defeated and of course some humor thrown in as well. I haven't looked forward to a fantasy series this much since Kate Daniels.
Week 3 Completion Post
Time and Again
Finished: 9/28/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: A very good friend recommended this to me and ai’m glad she did. This was a fun take on time travel and the ethics of involvement in history. I wish the romance aspect had been bumped up a touch but I still found myself rooting for Si and Julia all the same. I loved how immersive the descriptions and art were to paint a picture of life in 1882. I also loved the somewhat plausible explanation for time travel. I found the mystery most intriguing and loved how it all wrapped up at the end. Now I’m so curious about where the series goes from here!
Completion PostWeek 3 - Magic Tag
Option 1
Book: Pale as a Ghost by Stephen Osborne
Finished: 9/27
Rating: 3
Review: A promising start to a series.
Lovely quirky characters, just the way I want them...
It just felt something was missing. Or maybe it was just me not being in the best frame of mind...
Selection PostWeek #4
Book: Taxes and Tardis
Page numbers: 120
How it Fits: #89 on Best Gay Romance with Characters Coming From Different backgrounds
Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "Selection PostWeek #4
Book: Taxes and Tardis
Page numbers: 120
How it Fits: #89 on Best Gay Romance with Characters Coming From Different bac..."
I loved this one!!!
SELECTION POSTWEEK 4
OPTION 2
Changed: Mated to the Alien Alpha by Robin Moray
209pp/GR
How it Fits: Michaelle read date: 9/28/18, 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MyzanM wrote: "Selection PostWeek 3 - Magic Tag
Option 1
Book: Pale as a Ghost by Stephen Osborne
200 pgs/GR
How it fits: Tagged "magic" by 14..."
I LOVED this series!!
Selection PostWeek 4: Cinderella/Fella or Social Class Gap
Option 1
Book: Handyman by Claire Thompson
Pages: 191 (GR)
How it fits: Currently #17 on Best Gay Cinderfellas list.
⚣❣☙ Michaelle ❧❣⚣ wrote: "Selection PostWeek 3: Cinderella/Fella or Social Class Gap
Option 1
"Also, LOL...I totally picked this because it also qualifies for one of my BINGO team challenge reads.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Week 1 - Option 1
Aria Grace
Date read: 9/9
Rating: 2
Review:
A cute story. Really, but I was hoping for more depth. The story had great promise, but I would have liked more intensity.
Alex and Shane meet when Alex brings his dog to the vet where Shane works. They hit it off almost immediately. It feels like a sloppy insta love story, because the third date we get to read about is actually one month into their relationship and the “I love U’s” are raining down left and right. I would have loved some building of the relationship and more about Shane acclimatizing as an out and proud man. . We get a few mentions, but that is all. Not a lot of showing how they actually fall in love. Then there is Shane’s dark secret he’s sure Alex will never be able to forgive. He was a big coward about it and sort of just disappeared on Alex.
The ending came too fast for me, and was a bit too sweet and perfect for my taste. I was anticipating a big drama, but no. No real drama. Everything was just nicely put together and resolved.
I guess I had my mind set on a bit more angst and didn’t get that.