Mad About Series Challenge - 2020

[Mariana]

I just finished and enjoyed the last book in my seventh series - The Survivors' Club by Mary Balogh. Now I need to plan another series. Considering another Mary Balogh Series, but the next one has mixed reviews.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Well done Mariana.
I read the Survivors series, when I first started to read Historical Romance books. and enjoyed it.

[Mariana]

Shaz wrote: "Well done Mariana.
I read the Survivors series, when I first started to read Historical Romance books. and enjoyed it."

Yeah, I have no idea why I waited so long.

[Priya]

I just finished More Than a Mistress, book#1 of Mary Balogh's Mistress trilogy. Loved the book and also Rosalyn Landor's narration. The trilogy is available on scribd, so I added it to my series reads. Listening to book#2 now.

I remember someone recommending Rosalyn Landor's audio some time ago and so tried one. Her voices are all varied and good, especially her male voices.

[Priya]

Mariana wrote: "I just finished and enjoyed the last book in my seventh series - The Survivors' Club by Mary Balogh. Now I need to plan another series. Considering another Mary Balogh Series, but the..."

Adding this to my next year series reads.

[Mariana]

Priya wrote: "I just finished More Than a Mistress, book#1 of Mary Balogh's Mistress trilogy. Loved the book and also Rosalyn Landor's narration. The trilogy is available on scribd, ..."

Hmmmm....maybe this is the series I am looking for next. I will give book 1 a try.

[Missy]

Oh, my goodness. I completed the Malory-Anderson Family series by Johanna Lindsey. I read the first 8 books last year and the remaining 4 books this past week. It helps that 10 out of the 12 books were available on audio. Otherwise, it would have taken longer for me to complete the series.

[Mariana]

Missy wrote: "Oh, my goodness. I completed the Malory-Anderson Family series by Johanna Lindsey. I read the first 8 books last year and the remaining 4 books this past week. It helps that 10 out of the 12 books ..."

Great job! I always find it challenging to complete a really long series.

[Priya]

Missy wrote: "Oh, my goodness. I completed the Malory-Anderson Family series by Johanna Lindsey. I read the first 8 books last year and the remaining 4 books this past week. It helps that 10 out of the 12 books ..."

Congrats!
How did you like the last couple of books in the series compared to the first few books?

[Missy]

I enjoyed Books 1, 3, 11, and 12. Books 9 and 10 were my least favorite.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Missy wrote: "Oh, my goodness. I completed the Malory-Anderson Family series by Johanna Lindsey. I read the first 8 books last year and the remaining 4 books this past week. It helps that 10 out of the 12 books ..."
Well done Missy. I loved this series, especially James and Antony books, liked the humour of the two brothers.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I have started to read Potent Pleasures first book of my next series read

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I am now reading the second book in Eloisa James Pleasure Series

[Merry]

Missy wrote: "I need to add more series to my list. Just finished a new-to-me series by Sherry Thomas: The London Trilogy."

What did you think of the series. I loved the 3rd book and was only ok with the first. I accidentally read them out of order and still have the second to finish.

[Missy]

I enjoyed the first couple of books, but when Johanna Lindsey started reusing a few themes in the last couple of books (James and Anthony bickering, James speaking with his fists instead of his lips, James hating his American in-laws, James Malory to the rescue, and recaps of previous books just to name a few), I would roll my eyes and lose some interest in the book.

[Priya]

Missy wrote: "I enjoyed the first couple of books, but when Johanna Lindsey started reusing a few themes in the last couple of books (James and Anthony bickering, James speaking with his fists instead of his lip..."

Exactly. It is good to see James in most of the books, but reading the same concepts over and over was boring.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Just starting my 10th Series . Michelle Willingham. The MacKinloch Clan.

[Mariana]

Shaz wrote: "Just starting my 10th Series . Michelle Willingham. The MacKinloch Clan. [bookcover:Tempted b..."

I've been wanting to read those. I look forward to reading what you think.

[Priya]

Shaz wrote: "Just starting my 10th Series . Michelle Willingham. The MacKinloch Clan. [bookcover:Tempted b..."

10th series! That is great!

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Mariana wrote: "Shaz wrote: "Just starting my 10th Series . Michelle Willingham. The MacKinloch Clan. [bookco..."

I enjoyed reading this series. But I always like an Highlander book. Probably due to my father coming from the Highlands of Scotland. They appeal to me more. LOL

[Mariana]

Shaz wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Shaz wrote: "Just starting my 10th Series . Michelle Willingham. The MacKinloch Clan. [bookcover:Seduced by her Highland Warrior|..."

Glad you enjoyed them! I'll probably give this series a go if I have time.

[Padma]

Voracious (Level 2): THREE to FOUR series

[Padma]

Tracking Post

Essex sisters -Eloisa James
Wedded by Scandal- Lorraine Heath
Rebellious Desires- Stacy Reid

[Padma]

Obsessive (Level 3): FIVE to SIX series

Essex sisters -Eloisa James
Wedded by Scandal- Lorraine Heath
Rebellious Desires- Stacy Reid
The Trap Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren
The Mistress Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Padma wrote: "Obsessive (Level 3): FIVE to SIX series

Essex sisters -Eloisa James
Wedded by Scandal- Lorraine Heath
Rebellious Desires- Stacy Reid
The Trap Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren
The Mistress Trilogy- Tracy..."

Good luck with your challenge Padma

[Padma]

Shaz wrote: "Padma wrote: "Obsessive (Level 3): FIVE to SIX series

Essex sisters -Eloisa James
Wedded by Scandal- Lorraine Heath
Rebellious Desires- Stacy Reid
The Trap Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren
The Mistress ..."

Thanks Shaz

[Padma]

Padma wrote: "Shaz wrote: "Padma wrote: "Obsessive (Level 3): FIVE to SIX series

Addictive(Level 4)

Essex sisters -Eloisa James
Wedded by Scandal- Lorraine Heath
Rebellious Desires- Stacy Reid
The Trap Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren
Mistress Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren
The Merridew Sisters- Anne Gracie
Wallflowers- Lisa Kleypas

[Priya]

Good luck with the challenge, Padma.

BTW, can you please point out which msg (#131/132/133) is your tracking post? One of the posts have more series than the other. So, I want to be sure before adding the links in participants' list.

[Jan]

Darbella wrote: "Finished rereading Romancing Mr. Bridegerton. 3 stars. To me, the romance felt lack luster. That said, it is a Julia Quinn novel and she is usually an auto buy for me so it was worth rereading and ..."

I've finally started reading the final Bridgertons, On The Way To The Wedding, but not finding it that engaging. Immature characters, too much talking, not enough doing so far. I want to finish it though. Hope it picks up.

[Padma]

Priya wrote: "Good luck with the challenge, Padma.

BTW, can you please point out which msg (#131/132/133) is your tracking post? One of the posts have more series than the other. So, I want to be sure before ad..."
Thanks Priya. Its msg 136

[Cath]

Darbella wrote: "Finished rereading Romancing Mr. Bridegerton. 3 stars. To me, the romance felt lack luster. That said, it is a Julia Quinn novel and she is usually an auto buy for me so it was worth rereading and ..."

I liked "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton," but of the Bridgertons that I've read so far, it wasn't my favorite. Mostly b/c there were times where I thought Colin was out-of-line and bullying Penelope, and I wish she would have stood up to him in those instances. I just think there were times where she was too nice to him, as if she was grateful that he was attracted to her. I've read this one twice though, and would definitely read it again.

[Cath]

Darbella wrote: "Finished An Offer From a Gentleman. 4.5 stars. What can I say?--I am a sucker for Cinderella trope stories. :)"

Me too! "Offer From a Gentleman" is one of my favorites. And like you, I gave "Romancing Mr. B" 3 stars. Recently reread "To Sir Philip With Love" and was surprised that I liked it more than the first time I'd read it.

Ever since I heard about the Netflix Bridgerton series I've been trying to reread books 1-6 ahead of time, and then I also need to read the last 2 books as well, since I've never gotten around to them.

[Cath]

Darbella wrote: "Cath, I am rereading them 8-1 this time. I wanted to see how I felt about 7 and 8 on their on so to speak without having just read 1-6. Its been interesting..."

Yes, I had forgotten that part as well, since I always remember the strong bond between Eloise & Penelope as they contemplate spinsterhood. And LOL so true about Colin!

[Jan]

Darbella wrote: "Jan, do not read until you are finished with On the Way to the Wedding. [spoilers removed]"

Ha ha. OK. Now I'm intrigued.

[Jan]

Darbella wrote: "Finished rereading Romancing Mr. Bridegerton. 3 stars. To me, the romance felt lack luster. That said, it is a Julia Quinn novel and she is usually an auto buy for me so it was worth rereading and ..."

I looked back and see I gave RMB 3.5 stars. It dragged a bit around the 1/3 mark, according to my review, then picked up again. I can't really remember it, so I guess that says something.

[Jan]

Darbella wrote: "Jan, I can see myself rereading all the Bridegerton stories again in a few years. It will be interesting to see what my thoughts are when I do. Ha!
Anyways, of the eight books- Colin's story is my ..."

Yeah I might reread again some time. In the meantime, I've got to finish this last one.

[Jan]

Welp, I finished On the Way to the Wedding and with that I've finished another series for this challenge, the Bridgertons. Yay! 4 series down now for 2020. 4 still to go LOL.

Sadly this final book was my least fav of the lot. 2 stars. Still, I've read them all! Looking forward to the Netflix series.

[Mamacita aka MawMaw]

Finally got around to updating my post. Whew! I need to seriously get cracking!

[Mamacita aka MawMaw]

I am prolly in the minority but I actually liked Benedict's story the best out the boys & Hyacinth the best for the girls.

[Padma]

Padma wrote: "Padma wrote: "Shaz wrote: "Padma wrote: "Obsessive (Level 3): FIVE to SIX series

Addictive(Level 4)

Essex sisters -Eloisa James
Wedded by Scandal- Lorraine Heath
Rebellious Desires- Stacy Reid
Th..."

Addictive(Level 4)

Essex sisters -Eloisa James
Wedded by Scandal- Lorraine Heath
Rebellious Desires- Stacy Reid
The Trap Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren
Mistress Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren
The Merridew Sisters- Anne Gracie
Wallflowers- Lisa Kleypas
Chance Sisters- Anne Gracie

[Padma]

Padma wrote: "Padma wrote: "Shaz wrote: "Padma wrote: "Obsessive (Level 3): FIVE to SIX series

Addictive(Level 4)

Essex sisters -Eloisa James
Wedded by Scandal- Lorraine Heath
Rebellious Desires- Stacy Reid
Th..."

Addictive(Level 4)

Essex sisters -Eloisa James
Wedded by Scandal- Lorraine Heath
Rebellious Desires- Stacy Reid
The Trap Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren
Mistress Trilogy- Tracy Anne Warren
The Merridew Sisters- Anne Gracie
Wallflowers- Lisa Kleypas
Chance Sisters- Anne Gracie
Legend of four soldiers- Elizabeth Hoyt
Royal Brotherhood- Sabrina Jeffries
The Elusive Lords- Beverley Kendall
Fitzhugh Trilogy- Sherry Thomas
Guilty - Laura Lee Guhrke
Davenport- Mary Jo Putney
Lessons in Love- Suzanne Enoch
Heart's Temptation- Scarlett Scot
The Hathaways- Lisa Kleypas
Devines- Olivia Parker
Georgian- Mary Balogh

[Jan]

I've added another series to my challenge. Now I'm attempting 9 series! It's not as crazy as it sounds, though, because quite a few only have one or two books to go that I started last year and haven't got around to finishing yet.

My new series is The Deverells by Jayne Fresina. I've read and enjoyed the first three books already. Really liking them.

[Mariana]

Jan wrote: "I've added another series to my challenge. Now I'm attempting 9 series! It's not as crazy as it sounds, though, because quite a few only have one or two books to go that I started last year and hav..."

Glad you are enjoying them. I read another series by Jayne Fresina where each book was a retelling of another Jane Austin novel. I don't usual like that sort of thing but loved the series. I planned to read more by the author. Maybe I will try The Deverells next.

[Mariana]

I just finished The Duke's Sons by Jane Ashford, series 8 of 10, over the weekend. I read two series by Jane Ashford this year. The other was hit and miss, but I though this one was consistently good. I definitely plan to read more by her next year.

[Jan]

Mariana wrote: "I just finished The Duke's Sons by Jane Ashford, series 8 of 10, over the weekend. I read two series by Jane Ashford this year. The other was hit and miss, but I though this one was..."

Another author I need to try.

[Mariana]

Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "I just finished The Duke's Sons by Jane Ashford, series 8 of 10, over the weekend. I read two series by Jane Ashford this year. The other was hit and miss, but I tho..."

She is not for everyone, but I think her writing is worth a try.

[Jan]

Yay! I finished my fifth series (I'm shooting for 9 LOL).

I finished Joanna Bourne's Spymasters series with the final book Beauty Like the Night. A well-written and enjoyable series, even if it did take me quite a while to finish it LOL.

[Mariana]

Congrats! I enjoyed that series for a prior year challenge, but it also took me a while to finish.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Congratulations Jan
I haven't read any books by this author. Might look out for one of her series for next year. Suggestions welcome.

[Jan]

Mariana wrote: "Congrats! I enjoyed that series for a prior year challenge, but it also took me a while to finish."

Thanks :)