TART Challenge2 - Speedy Spine Crackers (6)

[CB]

Of course, no problem!

Is Goodreads having an issue? I’m not receiving any notifications at all and haven’t been since yesterday.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

CB wrote: "Of course, no problem!

Is Goodreads having an issue? I’m not receiving any notifications at all and haven’t been since yesterday."

Yes, they have turned off notifications - there was an issue with spamming I believe. Hopefully it will be resolved quickly!! In the mean time, be proactive in checking this and the Q&A thread in case I make any announcements. 😊

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is Task 9:

52. Read 6 books with the same color cover, teams decide color.

As a team, select a color and then read books that have covers that are primarily that color. The books your choose need to be primarily and obviously the color you select. Please include the selected color in your completion post. If you question whether a cover works you can ask your teammates here or ask me in the Q&A thread. 😊

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Sass, I'm reading the In Death books a second time through too! I agree, even better the second time. 😊

[CB]

MountainKat wrote: "CB wrote: "Of course, no problem!

Is Goodreads having an issue? I’m not receiving any notifications at all and haven’t been since yesterday."

Yes, they have turned off notifications - there was a..."

Appreciate the update, MKat!

[CB]

I just checked our notes, and we had decided on black covers

[Hazel]

I was just going to post my completion lol see we have a new task black covers are good I’ll get on it.

This notification thing is messing with me.

[Hazel]

I’ve asked if any edition can be a black cover

[Sassafrass]

MountainKat wrote: "Sass, I'm reading the In Death books a second time through too! I agree, even better the second time. 😊"

YES!! I think I will be saying the same thing when I'm on the third time around!

[Sassafrass]

Ok, I know I have one for this one. Not sure if I have two. I'll look.

ETA: I have two and I should be done both tomorrow.

[Hazel]

I have 2 but I have a 10 hour shift today.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

will have a look girls c what i got when i finish my current read!!!!

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 9

Secret Keeper
Pages: 278 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/5/20
Task: Read 6 books with the same color cover, teams decide color
How it fits: Black Cover (team decided)
Rating: *4 STARS*

I liked this one. I liked seeing Graham and Soraya again. I liked Dylan and Penelope even though I thought the relationship was a bit fast. I was glad that Chandler got was coming to him because people like him are the absolute worst!

I usually shy away from contemporary romance written my male authors but I thought this one was done well. I could have done away with the many, many, many references to how HUGE Dylan was, but other than that I thought the story was pretty good. I would definitely try something of this author again in the future.

Listened to this on audio and enjoyed that immensely! But these two narrators don't usually disappoint!

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 9

(audible edition) Wicked Bedmate (kindle edition)
Pages: 218 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/5/20
Task: Read 6 books with the same color cover, teams decide color
How it fits: Black Cover (team decided)
Rating: *3.5 STARS*

I thought this one could have been great if it had been given the time to develop the story. It felt too rushed so I didn't feel like it reached it full potential. I liked the premise, the characters and even their HEA. But I really just needed it to be fleshed out a little more in the middle!

[Sassafrass]

I can do another book if needed. How are things looking from everyone else's perspectives?

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

I'm reading about 35% in, hopefully be done by tomorrow night x

[CB]

I’m reading , about a third through as well

[Hazel]

Book:
Pages: 411 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 6 October
Rating: 4⭐️
How it qualifies: this edition has a black cover
Review: This is the 5th book in the Victorian Rebels series. A Historical Romance. The book follows the story of Gavin St James half brother to Laird Liam Mackenzie and Dorian Blackwell who feature in previous books. Gavin has wanted to own Errasdale land forever as a way to emancipate himself from the Mackenzie name. Samantha Masters an American wanted felon happens to rescue Alison Ross the owner of Errasdale and Alison offers Samantha her land and name but makes her swear never to sell to a Mackenzie. Samantha as Alison and Gavin have some great battles ‘a right stramash’ but the fire works for them in the bedroom too or the haystack or against a tree! This was a good story with a lot of likeable characters. I’m really enjoying this series.

[Hazel]

Starting book 2 it’s a bit shorter and should finish tomorrow as I’m off work!

[Sassafrass]

ok well it looks like you all have it covered. if that changes let me know. I'm on hand for back up.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Completion: Task 9

- Blood Captive - Kim Loraine
Pages: 238 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/7/20
Task: Read 6 books with the same color cover, teams decide color
How it fits: Black Cover (team decided)
Rating: *2.5 STARS*

2.5 down the middle

it was a bit meh for me... I didn't really feel the chemistry between the characters... feelings and intentions changed like my kids nappies..... touch me done, I hate you I love you...... and the ending was even weirder... still not awfull either

[CB]

Completion - Task 9
52. Read 6 books with the same color cover, teams decide color.


The Dawn of the End by Kristen Ashley
Pages: 466 (GR)
How it qualifies: see black cover above
Date Completed: 10/7/2020
Rating: 3⭐️

I am determined to finish this series, but it unfortunately does not have the magic of the author’s earlier Fantasyland series, even though there is some small cross-over of those characters. A big part of the reason for this is it is too jumbled and all over the place, bouncing between four main couples and hence eight lead characters in each book, plus the usual many side characters Ashley typically employs in her works. Plus the villains. So I spend part of my time trying to remember who these people are and what I read about them in the prior books, instead of being able to enjoy characters’ connections as much as I normally would. It’s unfortunate, because I do think the author has created an interesting world, it’s just in my opinion I find the writing of it a bit of a mess.

[Hazel]

Completion task 9

Book:
Pages: 294 pages as per kindle edition in above link
Read:7 October
Rating: 5⭐️
How it qualifies: Black cover as above
Review: I love Amo Jones and the twisted books and characters she writes about. Royce Kane is super protective of his foster sister Jade until he suddenly ups and leaves the house in the middle of the night. 4 years later he is back in Jades life but everything has changed and both Jade and Royce have secrets that they can’t share and have both been through their own versions of hell. This book has a trigger warning which is deserved for non consensual activity. The MCs are bad and strong and hot!

[Hazel]

Task 9 team completion

Sassafrass book 1 Msg #213
Sassafrass book 2 Msg #214
Laura book 1 Msg #221
CB book 1 Msg #222
Hazel book 1 Msg #218
Hazel book 2 Msg #223

[Hazel]

Posted our Completion post. I’ve been unable to post anything all day but now it’s let me I seem to have my notifications back. Sorry I’ve held us up on this.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

you didnt hold us up u silly mare...... You finished the same day we did xxxxx

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is Task 10:

70. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors.

As a team select a sub-genre and read a minimum of 1200 in that sub-genre. Remember to let me know how you know the book qualifies - I need to know where to look to confirm your books. Please include the selected sub-genre in your completion posts. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.

[CB]

Not at all, Hazel! As Laura said, I just finished my book yesterday as well - and you completed two! 😁

In regards to the new assigned task, I check our notes, and the sub genre we had chosen was contemporary romance.

[Hazel]

Ok I’m going to read and I have this one as well

[Sassafrass]

ok! nice and easy! I'm going with From Lukov with Love 524 pages.

[CB]

I’m reading 268 pages

[Sassafrass]

I've been trying to have an excuse for From Lukov with Love since I saw it on your list, CB. LOL

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

so im reading a book on MPG its both romance and contemporary...... its tagged contemp romance of first page of tabs.... will that work

Sawman Werebear if so i will read this for 220 pages

[Hazel]

I think it needs to say romance>contemporary romance for it to be a sub genre rather than just contemporary romance not sure though

[CB]

Sassafrass wrote: "I've been trying to have an excuse for From Lukov with Love since I saw it on your list, CB. LOL"

You have indeed, Sass! This is the perfect task for it too 😁

[CB]

Hazel wrote: "I think it needs to say romance>contemporary romance for it to be a sub genre rather than just contemporary romance not sure though"

I assumed the same as well, but am not positive either. To be sure, we can always ask MKat

[Sassafrass]

I'm going to go check in the Q&A thread to see if that question has already been answered

[Sassafrass]

ok, I'll ask the question. I tried to look in the Q&A thread but ended up going down the rabbit hole to a hilarious review that was posted. LOL

[CB]

Sassafrass wrote: "ok, I'll ask the question. I tried to look in the Q&A thread but ended up going down the rabbit hole to a hilarious review that was posted. LOL"

Thanks for sharing this Sass - I went and found the posting and that review was hilarious! 😂

[Sassafrass]

right?!!

[Sassafrass]

Ok, so MKat said that Contemporary Romance can be on it own.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Hazel]

Sassafrass wrote: "Ok, so MKat said that Contemporary Romance can be on it own.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"

That’s good. I could have picked other books but enjoying this one.

[CB]

Completion - Task 10
70. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors. (Team pick: Contemporary Romance)


Stand by T. Gephart
Pages: 268 (GR)
How it qualifies: Contemporary Romance listed as MPG
Date Completed: 10/7/2020
Rating: 3⭐️

To be honest, I’m not completely sure why I was kind of bored by this book. Max and Beth had been involved years before he’d been a famous rock star, and through the meddling machinations of his best friend’s sister, Max ends up buying a place in the same building in Manhattan as Beth and sparks fly again instantly when they meet again. Some of my boredom might have been that I didn’t really feel any buildup in their relationship, and another part was since the two of them just fit together so well and seamlessly even after years apart, it never really made sense to me why they broke up, or even why they never tried to look each other up before this. I mean, one of her best friends is his best friend’s little sister, and they claimed to have always loved each other and it wasn’t like a bad break up or anything, Beth had just walked away I guess so he could become famous and move on. I just found this whole storyline a bit fuzzy, and throwing in a random crazy one-night stand ex to the mix just added to my confusion. I adored the second book in this series, so unfortunately this was a bit of a let down.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Completion - Task 10
70. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors. (Team pick: Contemporary Romance)


Sawman Werebear - T.S. Joyce
Pages: 220 (GR)
How it qualifies: Contemporary& Romance listed as MPG also tagged contemporary romance on first page of tags.
Date Completed: 10/9/2020
Rating: 4⭐️

It was a cute read.... these books are easy..... Every had been attacked by the Late Conner and was hiding a submissive Grizzly, the silent Brighton finds he is very protective of her and they help heal each other......

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 10

From Lukov with Love
Pages: 524 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/9/20
Task: Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors.
How it fits: Contemporary Romance MPG
Rating: *5 STARS*

Love, love, LOVED this. I listened to this one almost a year ago to the day and loved every minute of it this time just as much as I did the first time. The way that these two came around to each other was just amazing. And hearing things from Ivan's perspective just changed the whole story on its head. And even though I knew how it was going to end, I just enjoyed taking the journey with them. The smoldering slow burn that can only be done by Mariana Zapata was a thing of beauty. And if I always think about the movie "The Cutting Edge" so what!

[Hazel]

Completion Task 10

Book:
Pages: 384 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 9 October
Rating: 4⭐️
How it qualifies: MPG Romance>Contemporary Romance
Review: This is a spin off series from the Eagle Elite Mafia series which I loved. It follows the children of the 5 families. The kids are starting to take over the reigns from their parents. Serena mafia princess and Junior son of one of the bosses have been secretly in love for years. It’s against the rules and death is the punishment. When the time came they did their duty and chose the family over each other and have to hate the other now. Both struggle and it’s not long before they let they fall into each other’s arms and screw the consequences which are big!

[Hazel]

Task 10 Completion tracking

CB 268 pages
Laura 220 pages
Sassafrass 524 pages
Hazel 384 pages

Total pages read = 1,396

[Hazel]

Posted our completion

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is Task 11:

17. Read 4 books written by a male author.

Please include a link to the author's page or website that indicated the author is male. Picture or pronouns can be enough, but name alone will not work.

[Sassafrass]

The dreaded male author!