September Challenge - Sparkling Spring Romance

[Andrea]

Thanks to those who encouraged me to pick Outlander for this month's challenge. I'm really enjoying it and at 25% I think I'm on pace to finish it before the end of the month. Already I'm dying to see the new TV series and have been scouring Youtube for glimpses of which actors are playing which characters (I know some of you hate that, but it doesn't bother me to see).

I can't help but make the observation that the story so far reminds me of one of my guilty pleasures from my late teens/early 20s - Barbara Erskine's Lady of Hay, Kingdom of Shadows and so on. I adored those books! For me, she lost her way when she started writing about Egypt, but those earlier works were firm favourites.

As to the length of Outlander, I don't know what I was worried about. I've just dug out some of my dog-eared paperback copies of the Erskine novels, and they are nothing if not doorstops!

[Sharon]

I finished an enjoyable one. Fair Juno by Stephanie Laurens

[Sharon]

I finished: The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks 4★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Ariel]

I have completed Sapphire Skies - historical romance and a comedy romance To Love, Honour And Betray...which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

[Elaine]

I finished Adultery but I don't think it really qualifies for this challenge. Besides it was a pretty disappointing read. I will have to try and find another for this challenge.

[Sally906]

Jennifer wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "Made a good start with my romance at lunch today - Wattle Creek by Fiona McCallum is still introducing the characters. No romance yet but they both have issues for sure.

I have that on picked out for my spring challenge I hope it is good..."

It IS GOOD. - not a typical romance. There is a very important story as the background plot.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I read The Haunting by Alan Titchmarsh. A pretty standard and rather predictable romance.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sally906]

Have finished another romance Wattle Creek by Fiona McCallum - 4 ★s

[Katrina]

I finished The Girl in the Hard Hat by Loretta Hill which I loved. Easy to read romance, and set in beautiful WA :). 4 stars

[Nicola]

Finished another one..
Kiss of the Goblin Prince / Shona Husk
Aussie Author as well!

[Sharon]

Finished my 2nd for this challenge: Country at Heart by Mandy Magro 5★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jenny]

Finished my first: Safe Harbour by Helene Young. Really enjoyed it.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jenny wrote: "Finished my first: Safe Harbour by Helene Young. Really enjoyed it.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Excellent review Jenny!

[Jenny]

Thanks Brenda -- the Australian Women Writers Challenge really helped me with my reviewing -- glad that shows :)

[Sally906]

I have finished my third spring romance book Love, Desire and Betrayal by Margaret Lynette Sharp I've given it 4 ★s

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jenny wrote: "Thanks Brenda -- the Australian Women Writers Challenge really helped me with my reviewing -- glad that shows :)"

That's good to know Jenny:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "I have finished my third spring romance book Love, Desire and Betrayal by Margaret Lynette Sharp I've given it 4 ★s

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/re..."

Great review Sally:)

[Carly]

Just finished which I gave 4 stars and have started on

[Sharon]

I just finished (actually didn't) Duchess by Night by Eloisa James- I have read another book by this author and although I wasn't compelled to read the ending in this book (the last 20 pages), yeah, I know sinful, but there you have it....there didn't appear to be a need, which I haven't noted in my review, I think romance readers will love this book and the others from this author, of which I have read another, of which the name is allusive to me at the moment, and enjoyed it more than this one.

Review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sharon]

I'm onto one I suspect must be a romance or hopefully a good love story with The Constant Heart by Dilly Court

The tag line is: "Would she risk it all for love?"

Oh, how silly we can be :D

[Mell]

finished my next in my Nicholas Sparks binge: Message in a Bottle

It wasn't as good as The Notebook but still a very easy read :)

[Carolyn]

I've forced myself to read a romance for this challenge and quite enjoyed it. Not sure I'll do it again ;)

Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson 3★
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sharon]

Carolyn wrote: "I've forced myself to read a romance for this challenge and quite enjoyed it. Not sure I'll do it again ;)

Me neither LOL.

I think I am just becoming too old, and although I do believe in love, perhaps because I have spent the last 20 odd years loving someone with relative ease, all the games and emotional conflict set up in some of these books just makes me want to slap them...

[Carolyn]

Sharon wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I've forced myself to read a romance for this challenge and quite enjoyed it. Not sure I'll do it again ;)

Me neither LOL.

I think I am just becoming too old, and although I do b..."

I can almost picture that Sharon - you stepping into a scene in the book and giving them a good slap! Would sort them out in no time at all!

[Sharon]

I can almost picture that Sharon - you stepping into a scene in the book and giving them a good slap! Would sort them out in no time at all!

LOL

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I so agree with you both:)

[Marianne]

Never too old for romance! I love reading romance and always have one on the bedside table....and I bet I'm older than you girls

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished for this challenge last night Getting Even With Fran by Christine Stinson 5★s

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

Marianne wrote: "Never too old for romance! I love reading romance and always have one on the bedside table....and I bet I'm older than you girls"

You must be a romantic at heart Marianne!

[Marianne]

Carolyn wrote: "Marianne wrote: "Never too old for romance! I love reading romance and always have one on the bedside table....and I bet I'm older than you girls"

You must be a romantic at heart Marianne!"

yup!

[Sally906]

Marianne wrote: "Never too old for romance! I love reading romance and always have one on the bedside table....and I bet I'm older than you girls"

Hear, hear - add me to the romantic list. And I have my happy ever after sitting in his chair beside me - his 6 pack has gone, his thick black curly hair is now thin and pure white but he is still the man of my dreams :)

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

I finished reading for this challenge. If you are a fan of the rural romance genre, I'd say 4/5, but I'm not convinced on the whole chook lit thing. My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... if anyone is interested.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Marianne wrote: "Never too old for romance! I love reading romance and always have one on the bedside table....and I bet I'm older than you girls"

Hear, hear - add me to the romantic list. And I h..."

That's very sweet Sally:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Lee wrote: "I finished reading for this challenge. If you are a fan of the rural romance genre, I'd say 4/5, but I'm not convinced on the whole chook lit thing. My re..."

Chook lit. That's funny!

[Lily]

I've finished 2 of the 3 I nominated. Deep Diving by Cate Ellink and Miss Spelled by Sarah Belle. My review of Deep Diving is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and for Miss Spelled here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have one still to go that I nominated for the challenge which is: Driving in Neutral by Sandra Antonelli. I've just reviewed an upcoming novel called Unrestrained by Rhyll Biest, but the book isn't on Goodreads as yet. It's published in December.

[Sally906]

Lee wrote: "I finished reading for this challenge. If you are a fan of the rural romance genre, I'd say 4/5, but I'm not convinced on the whole chook lit thing. My re..."

I've got this one on my TBR pile. Am running out of September :)

[Nicola]

Reread another Georgette Heyer
Another one I haven't read in a long time Black Sheep

[Jenny]

Nicola, I love "Black Sheep"! When he quotes Shakespeare, "my bright particular star". *sigh*

I have finished the challenge! Just wrote my review for Susanne Bellamy's Engaging The Enemy

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I read The Blue Mile by Kim Kelly 4★s
I haven't reviewed it yet but really liked it...it evoked a lot of emotions.

[Renee V]

Finished The Time Traveler's Wife ★★★★

[Heather]

I've finished The Cupid Effect 4 ★
not sure if you would call it a romance - it's about love not courtship and the main character is in love with Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Had a bit of a chuckle though.

[Sally906]

I am reading two romances at the moment The Sunnyvale Girls and Haunted Ever After. Both very good :)

[Jenny]

@Sally - I recognised Haunted Ever After (great title) but had to click through to Sunnyvale Girls. Sounds great - and West Aussie author! Yay! (parochial pride)

[Rosie]

I have read the following books for this challenge.

Rose Harbor in Bloom

A Virgin River Christmas

Paradise Valley

Temptation Ridge (Virgin River, #6)

Deep in the Valley

Just Over the Mountain

Down by the River

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good job Rosie!

[Sally906]

Jenny wrote: "@Sally - I recognised Haunted Ever After (great title) but had to click through to Sunnyvale Girls. Sounds great - and West Aussie author! Yay! (parochial pride)"

I have just finished Haunted Ever After by Juliet Madison another romance book for the challenge :) Review to follow in a couple of days.

Still reading The Sunnyvale Girls and enjoying it - can recommend it Jenny :)

[Sally906]

Rosie wrote: "I have read the following books for this challenge.

Rose Harbor in Bloom

A Virgin River Christmas

Paradise Valley

[book:Temptation Ridge (Virgin R..."

Great going Rosie - well done :)

[Elaine]

Have just started my new pick for this challenge, Moonlight Plains .

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Have just started my new pick for this challenge, Moonlight Plains."

Hope you enjoy Elaine..I really did :)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Have just started my new pick for this challenge, Moonlight Plains."

Hope you enjoy Elaine..I really did :)"

Thanks Brenda. I missed that you read it but just read your review. I normally don't read these types of books but this one seems promising.