TART Challenge2 - Speedy Spine Crackers (6)

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

I'm reading Peter pan.... Hopefully will be finished by tonight.... if not will ask for a.pass so we can move on xxxxx

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Completion - Task 12
41. Read 6 books with over 10,000 ratings.

- Peter and Wendy - J.M. Barrie
Pages: 166 (GR)
Date Completed: 10/18/2020
How it qualifies: Currently has 275,882 ratings on GR
Rating: 4.5⭐️

Ok we all know the story of Peter Pan, lost boys, pirates, mermaids fairies and Indians make up this epic adventure in neverland!

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Tracking completion

1 Sassfrass 1
2 Sassfrass 2
3 Sassfrass 3
4 CB
5 Hazel
6 Laura

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

ok checked in

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is Task 13:

33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide.

As a team, select a sub-genre and read 6 books in that sub-genre.

[CB]

If memory serves, we chose contemporary romance for this too, correct?

[Sassafrass]

yes, I believe so.

[Hazel]

Yes contemporary

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

ok will have a look what i got

[CB]

Completion Post - Task 13
33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide. (Team Choice: Contemporary Romance)


Sugar and Ice by Aven Ellis
Pages: 297 (GR)
Date Completed: 10/19/2020
How it qualifies: MPG Romance > Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3⭐️

This was a little too cutesy for me so not really my style of read, but I will say my favorite aspect of the book was its foodie nature, since the heroine was a test baker for a baking magazine. Not only did it make me want to run out to my nearest bakery and buy something, but I did think how the two MCs fell for each other over their mutual love of food was kind of sweet.

[Hazel]

Completion Post - Task 13
33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide. (Team Choice: Contemporary Romance)

Book:
Pages: 294 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 20 October
Rating: 4⭐️
How it qualifies: MPG Romance >Contemporary Romance
Review: One star removed for the editing issues that peppered the story. This is book 2 in the series and focuses on Doe returning to her home and trying to piece together her life and remember who she was before she lost her memory. I love her relationship with King even though he doesn’t feature as much in this book. Doe’s family are cold and distant and her relationship with Tanner at first seems really sweet however everything changes dramatically. A good story which I really enjoyed.

[CB]

The book I read was definitely not my speed - I picked it because it was both contemporary and it had an “E” in the author/title which I needed for another team challenge - otherwise I would have dropped it, just too schmaltzy and sweet for me.

[Hazel]

I’m nearly finished my second one. I struggled with this weeks PtP so went for option 2 and the book i read is one I’m doing for a group read. Luckily one of my team is reading this series as well so I could pick it. The one I’m currently reading is and it’s quite funny.

Just had to stop work and go and pick my son up from school. His first day back after his School October holiday and he fell and has taken the skin off his left cheek- it’s all grazed and swollen and I’ve just had to pull tiny stones out of his elbow with tweezers. The joys of being a parent!

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 13

Solve for i
Pages: 358 (Kindle)
How it fits: Contemporary and Romance are MPGs and tagged "genre-contemporary-romance"
Date completed: 10/19/20
Ratings: *3.5 STARS*

This was cute but I there were some points that I was hoping either got developed more or just hadn't been included. I don't want to give too much away but there was an issue with a friend and work colleague that didn't get flushed out, and what happened with the strike? Also, there was an interaction between Gemma and another woman and it was just finished, gone and done with.

I didn't think that this was so much a romance novel and it was women's fiction. Gemma had a lot of stuff to work through and I thought the journey was good, but she just seemed so much younger than 28. she was definitely emotionally immature.

And then to top it all of, we had a kind of HEA and there was no epilogue to give us a glimpse into what happened when Gemma got the person she wanted at the end of the story. *sigh*

But, I must say there was a lot of funny in this, a lot of sweet and I did enjoy it for the most part. I would definitely give this author another try.

I listened to this on audio (I will miss you Audible Escape) and I thought the narrator did a great job with this as well.

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 13

Kissing Madeline
Pages: 372 (Kindle)
How it fits: Contemporary Romance is MPG
Date completed: 10/20/20
Ratings: *4 STARS*

I so wasn't a fan of Daren when we first met him but I really appreciated him in this book. I guess over time he matured but I thought he was very kind and decent despite what I thought of him in the first book of the series. It was also nice seeing the other couples again. I'm a bit sad that there isn't more in this series.

I thought the narrators did a great job with this one. And I just am really not ready to let this series go!

[Sassafrass]

Ok, I put my two down. If I need to do another I could but it wouldn't be until tomorrow.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

I'm reading storm mc will have it finished tommorow and will check is in xxxx

[Hazel]

Completion task 13
33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide. (Team Choice: Contemporary Romance)

Book:
Pages: 340 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 20 October
Rating: 5⭐️
How it qualifies: MPG Romance > Contemporary Romance
Review: I enjoyed everything about this book. Austin Bailey put his dreams on hold along with his sister, to raise his siblings following the death of his parents. He took a job as a teacher and became the baseball coach. Now that his youngest siblings are in their final year he is looking forward to realise his dreams and become a college baseball coach. An unusual for him one night stand comes back to bite him when Holly appears as the new temporary principal teacher of his school. Trying to avoid the small town gossip website and both intent on pursuing their own paths they come to an arrangement, valid until the end of the school term.

I want an Austin Bailey! He is just an all round good guy and Holly is also likeable as well. I’ll definitely read more in this series it has humour and heat and I enjoyed the writing style.

[Sassafrass]

YAY, go us!!

[Sassafrass]

Hazel wrote: "Completion task 13
33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide. (Team Choice: Contemporary Romance)

Book:
Pages: 340 as per kindle editi..."

I've never read anything by this author. I've added it to my TBR

[Hazel]

I’ve just bought the 2nd in the series I liked all the characters. I’ve only read one other book she has written and it was a 4⭐️ read but I have a lot I want to read and a couple on my kindle I think.

[CB]

I agree, that book by Piper Rayne sounds really good! Think I will also add to my TBR.

I also agree with your earlier comment, Hazel, that this week’s PtP is one I’m struggling with. I don’t care for the theme, and none of my teammates really read books that I want to read. My only option seems to be a reread. Someone had read Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews so I thought I could reread that since I’ve been wanting to anyway, but they rated it two stars! 😳 I don’t even know how such a thing is possible. I’m stumped.

[Sassafrass]

My book which is on audible escape if you have it, Solve for i fits for this weeks PtP.

[Sassafrass]

It wasn't the best book I read but it was definitely pretty good and it's set in Australia.

[CB]

Thanks, Sass, I appreciate the rec. I think I’m probably going to still do a reread, as one of my teammates is just now reading The Others series for the first time, and I think it’s been about two years since I did a reread of those books. One of my favorite fantasy series ever!

[Sassafrass]

I LOVE the others!!!

ETA: my goal this year is to do read something for option 1 in all the weeks. I usually do one or two option 2s. This year so far I haven't used option 2. It's my own personal challenge. LOL

[Hazel]

Sassafrass wrote: "I LOVE the others!!!

ETA: my goal this year is to do read something for option 1 in all the weeks. I usually do one or two option 2s. This year so far I haven't used option 2. It's my own personal..."

I’ve done that for the past few ptp but this time there are too many other books I want to read. I think I used my second option 2 this week.

[Sassafrass]

I’m also trying to get as many audiobooks on audible escape done as I can since it’s disappearing in 10 days. :(

[Hazel]

Sassafrass wrote: "I’m also trying to get as many audiobooks on audible escape done as I can since it’s disappearing in 10 days. :("

That’s rubbish - I don’t do audio tried a couple of times but couldn’t get into it.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Completion task 13
33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide. (Team Choice: Contemporary Romance)

Book: Storm - Nina Levine
Pages: 228 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 21 October
Rating: 4⭐️
How it qualifies: MPG Romance > Contemporary Romance
Review:

First bikerbook i have read..... I really enjoyed it... Madisons family are the runners of a motorcycle club..... (im not 100perceent sure what these are.... never seen or heard of one) sounds a bit like the Mafia.... But with bikes......

Anyway Madison is screwing her way out of becoming an alcoholic until her ex love J returns to take her home making her confront the reasons she left with plenty of steamy moments too... and some great side characters...yea really good.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Sassafrass wrote: "I’m also trying to get as many audiobooks on audible escape done as I can since it’s disappearing in 10 days. :("

Iknow it sucks!!!!! im hoping a few more authors will move over to audible plus or im gunna cancel it......

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Tracking completion

1 Sassfrass 1
2 Hazel 2
3 Sassfrass 2
4 CB
5 Hazel
6 Laura

checked in

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is Task 14:

63. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books tagged 'magic' or 'magical'.

The qualification for this task only comes from tags/shelves. The selected books must be tagged 'magic' or 'magical', variations on the spelling are allowed. Please include the page number of the top shelves page and the number of tags along with a link to the top shelves page in your completion posts. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count!

[Sassafrass]

perfect excuse to get my Ilona Andrews on! I'm going to do Emerald Blaze and then I will do Sweep of the Blade if there is time.

[CB]

I just got from my elibrary , which I’ve been waiting forever for. So I’m going to read that as it’s been tagged magic by 1 person. 261 pages, and I’m sure I can read another book if needed.

[Hazel]

Ill start with this one which was next on my list anyway 300p, then i have a few other options that also fit.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

im gunna go with first page of tags is magic by 9 ppl

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 14

Emerald Blaze
Pages: 400 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/22/20
Task:Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books tagged 'magic' or 'magical'.
How it fits: tagged "magic" 147x
Rating: *5 STARS*

WOW, WOW, WOW! This was amazing. What an awesome story. The character development of Alessandro really drew me in. I was pissed as hell at him after the last book. There was so much left unknown. But we got a lot more pieces to his puzzle, and I absolutely adore him. I was just amazed by his power but fell in love with him due to his depth of feeling for Catalina. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next with these two.

The author duo of Ilona Andrews never fails to amaze me with the intricacies in their stories. They way things come back to reveal themselves as important later. I can't imagine how much creativity and care must go into outlining these plots.

This new narrator is quickly becoming a favorite. It takes alot for me to be willing to put you up against Renee Raudman, but Emily Rankin is amazing at bringing these characters to life. She IS Catalina!

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Completion: Task 14

Hard Mated - Jennifer Ashley
Pages: 160 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/23/20
Task:Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books tagged 'magic' or 'magical'.
How it fits: tagged "magic" first page of tags 9 times
Rating: *4 STARS*

Short and sweet but added substance to the shifters unbound series....

Watching Spike and Myka find each other was page turning.....
I love this series.... each book throws you deeper into the rabbit hole of shifter politics, customs and the war with the inner beast.

The reason im not 5 starring it... was the mothers death and how everyone kind of seemed fine with it... the cub never asked after her once and was running around quite happily.... Myka jumping her dead best mates ex fling... it was all a bit... weird....

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Also Sassafrass Have you checked out Scribd for Audiobooks, i just joined for 10 euro a month and they have everything... ihave cancellled my audible and am using that..... check it out its cheaper than escape and has more selection... love it!!!!

[Sassafrass]

I've checked out scribed but they don't have audible originals and a lot of romance books I read are produced by audible. I've already paid my audible membership for the year (until April of 2021) so I'm going to see how the audible plus catalog is before I give up on it. It gives me quite of bit of time see how it is.

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 14

Sweep of the Blade
Pages: 322 (Kindle)
How it fits: Tagged "magic" x 76
Date completed: 10/23/20
Rating: *5 STARS*

This was amazing. I loved Maud. She was amazing strong and an amazing mom. I was just in awe of how kickass she was! Helen was so cute and so fierce, she will be a force in the coming years.

And Arland, I just have no words. For a man to value Maud, to see her for exactly who she was and to love her anyway, was just so amazing to see. And when he called Helen "his daughter"...SWOON!!!

I never wanted this one to end and it left off with a cliffhanger...I can't wait to see what's going to happen next!

[Sassafrass]

Ok so we are at 882 pages, so less than 400 pages to go. CB and Hazel, how's it coming?

[CB]

I finished my book - will post it now!

[CB]

Completion Post - Task 14
63. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books tagged 'magic' or 'magical'.


Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Pages: 514 (GR)
Date Completed: 10/23/2020
How it qualifies: MPG Fantasy > Magic
Rating: 5⭐️

I first read this book when it came out in 2013, and it blew me away then, and it has lost none of the magic now. It has such a fresh and unique premise, with wonderfully written characters, I just don’t get tired of re-reading it. It’s been a few years since I have done so, and even though I knew the particulars of what was going to happen in the story, I was still riveted to every page. And I know with the coming books the story will just continue to expand and get even better. This is simply one of my favorite fantasy series, and it’s a pleasure to read such a beautifully crafted work by this author. 5 stars.

[Sassafrass]

Woot! I love the others. I've got to restart that series. Is it over? Or is she going to do more in the series?

[CB]

Sassafrass wrote: "Woot! I love the others. I've got to restart that series. Is it over? Or is she going to do more in the series?"

She wrote those two books that were from “the world of the Others” - the last one in particular I thought was just heartbreaking and amazing. Did you read those? Not sure if there are going to be more in at least these spinoffs, but I hope so.

[Sassafrass]

Yeah. I’ve read them all. I just love the world. And I wouldn't mind going back to Lakeside too!

[CB]

Agreed! Would love more Meg and Simon.

[Sassafrass]

yes and the angry bunnies. LOL