Historical Romance Book Club discussion
Gaol/Buddy Reads & Challenges
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Mad About Series Challenge 2021
I'm doing well with Mackenzies and McBrides by Jennifer Ashley. Just finished another book plus a really good long novella. Men in kilts ;) Plus I like the mature and independent heroines. The 1880s Victorian time setting is also appealing. I have now realised this series is much longer than I first realised. I'm not actually completely sure how many books and 'bonus' novellas there are. So, fun for my reading enjoyment, but it's going to take longer than I expected to complete this part of my Mad About Series challenge LOL.
Along with reading the series, I'm also reading a companion book by the author which is a guide to the whole series. It contains synopses and guides to the books, with first chapter samplers. The most interesting bit is the author's personal comments on her experiences writing each book, and which characters she particularly likes etc. I haven't come across something like this before, but I really like it. I'm working my way through the guide as I read the series. Does anyone know of anything similar to this for other HR series?
The Mackenzie Chronicles: A Guide to the Mackenzies / McBrides series
Never seen anything like it, but that is cool!
Shaz, you are just gobbling up the Pennyroyal Green series! Great job! I'm hesitant to begin this series because of how long it is. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit. lol
Missy wrote: "Shaz, you are just gobbling up the Pennyroyal Green series! Great job! I'm hesitant to begin this series because of how long it is. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit. lol"Missy,
You spoke my mind. I know it’s a popular series. I really enjoyed one of the author’s older stand alone titles, though. However the thought of getting started with such a long series as this almost gives me an anxiety attack!
Mod
Missy,
Yo..."
I feel that way about other series that I haven't tried yet. When they're that long, the question of whether or not you want to commit that much time to a series.
It is on audio now, but unfortunately not a very good narrator was selected.
Mod
I think I still need to read the last (or at least most recent) book in this series.
It is another long series, but a good one too.
Darbella wrote: "Jan, that is pretty cool. I might have to buy that for the next time I reread the series. :)"It wasn't expensive on kindle. Well worth the pennies IMO.
Missy wrote: "Shaz, you are just gobbling up the Pennyroyal Green series! Great job! I'm hesitant to begin this series because of how long it is. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit. lol"This is a series I have partly read and want to go back to and finish. I have really liked some (but not all) of the ones I've read so far.
Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I think I still need to read the last (or at least most recent) book in this series.It is another long series, but a good one too."
I'm ripping through the series at the moment, but may get sick of it before I reach the end and have to go back later. We'll see.....
@Joanna,Well, I’ve just searched JAL name in Hoopla. I counted 10 or 11 eAudio titles by her that are available on that platform. However, IDK if they are all Pennyroyal Green titles.
Joanna and I did a BR for the MacKenzies and McBrides series with one or two other members. I think that helped us finished most of the books. I have the most recent book that was released to read for that series.
A Rogue Meets a Scandalous Lady. I choose to skip some of the novellas.
Mod
Well, I’ve just searched JAL name in Hoopla. I counted 10 or 11 eAudio titles by her that are available on that platform. However, IDK if they are all Pennyroyal Green titles."
Most of them are. There are 11 Pennroyal Green titles. But it looks like Hoopla has one of her contemporaries and two from her latest series, which are Lady Derring Takes a Lover and Angel in a Devil's Arms.
The Perils of Pleasure is the first in the Pennroyal Green series.
Missy wrote: "I choose to skip some of the novellas."Fair enough. I've only read one of the novellas so far but it was a good one. But I understand, and may end up doing the same with some of the other novellas.
Missy wrote: "Shaz, you are just gobbling up the Pennyroyal Green series! Great job! I'm hesitant to begin this series because of how long it is. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit. lol"I am due a break after this book. LOL. Already had one break. Need to read my Pirate book for AATA , and One of my books for, Mountain to climbing challenge. Then Back to Pennyroyal. ( well that's the plan) LOL
I am back reading Pennyroyal. Starting book 7 . This one about Johnathan Redmond. He was told by a gypsy he would have 10 children 😂
I'm still powering through MacKenzies and McBrides. Just finished The Seduction Of Elliot McBride. 4 stars :)
Shaz wrote: "T. wrote: "Shaz wrote: "Reading book 4 in Pennyroyal Green series 
by Julie Anne Long. I am finding this book better than the first three books."That is a grea..."
I'm only reading one Pennyroyal Green book a month until I finish. I'm currently on How the Marquess was Won and loving it. I can't wait for Jonathan's! He's been a favorite since the second book.
Finished The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley today. Another 4 star read. A very enjoyable series, but a long one! I've still got a few to go.
Jan wrote: "Finished The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley today. Another 4 star read. A very enjoyable series, but a long one! I've still got a few to go.[bookcover:The Wick..."
Exactly why I chose to keep this one off my challenge. But I'm still excited to read all of them (at a more leisurely pace.) ;)
Jan wrote: "Finished The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley today. Another 4 star read. A very enjoyable series, but a long one! I've still got a few to go.[bookcover:The Wick..."
You are flying through them though!
Finished reading Pennyroyal Green Series . 3 to 5 stars given.Now I have to pick my next series.
Shaz wrote: "Finished reading Pennyroyal Green Series . 3 to 5 stars given.Now I have to pick my next series."
Well done! I have read some but not all of that series. I agree some are better than others.
Have you read the Mackenzies and McBrides series? I think you would enjoy.
Jan wrote: "Shaz wrote: "Finished reading Pennyroyal Green Series . 3 to 5 stars given.Now I have to pick my next series."
Well done! I have read some but not all of that series. I agree some are better tha..."
I have not read any of The Mackenzies and McBrides series, one to put on my list. You seem to be getting through the series Jan.
Thanks Missy
I have started to read the MacLean Curse Series by Karen Hawkins.
I have read book 1
4 starsI am now reading book 2
To Scotland, With Love
Happy reading, Shaz! I've been wanting to read more books by Karen Hawkins. I think her books are light-hearted and sometimes filled with humor (based on the three books I've read).
Missy wrote: "Happy reading, Shaz! I've been wanting to read more books by Karen Hawkins. I think her books are light-hearted (based on the three books I've read)."Thanks Missy. The last series I read of hers, was a good read for me (Talisman Ring)
Has anyone read 'The Wicked husband Series ' by Scarlet Scott?Reviews please. Thanks
Just finished reading The Laird Who Loved Me
4.5 stars .I have now started to read
This is book 6 in the MacLean Curse series. First 5 books are set in 1807 to 1811 This one is set in Elizabethan times 1567.
I finished another novella in the MacKenzies and McBrides series by Jennifer Ashley, A MacKenzie Clan Gathering. I've now read six novels and three novellas. Still three novels to go!! (And maybe more novellas??) 
It's a long series! Really good overall, although this latest novella was a bit more of a revisit with the popular couple from book 1, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, Beth and Ian. Quite nice (3.5 stars), but I was disappointed there was no new couple for a new romance in this one.
Yes, that is quite a long series. Good job with your progress! I had it on my series challenge for 2018 - before books 10 through 11.6 were published. Once I feel she had finished writing them, I plan to read the remainder.
Finished the Bedwyn Series..Oh my..what a saga..such different plots with twists.Loved them.
My favorite was the last one with the Duke..Extremely good read, very touching...loved the hero..
Please do suggest any other series similar to this one.
Padma wrote: "Finished the Bedwyn Series..Oh my..what a saga..such different plots with twists.Loved them.
My favorite was the last one with the Duke..Extremely good read, very touching...loved the hero..
Plea..."
That's a good one. Can't say I've read another I would call similar.
I have just finished reading Stephanie Laurens Black Cobra Quartet series. Having already read a lot of the books from the Cynster series. ( Devil, Vane, Richard, Gabriel, Demon and Lucifer ) some of my favourite H. They turn up in the Cobra books, also characters from her Bastion Club series turn up as well. I would have read these first if I had known. As they all cross over into this series. I still enjoyed all the stories. Gave them all a 4 star, except book 3 which I gave 3 stars as the story did not start proper till about page 100 for me.
I have some of the books for the Bedwyn series. Sound like they could be a good read. I have enjoyed reading Mary Balogh books in the past .
Mod
Any suggestions for what I can do other than paying a fortune to buy the hard copies??
~~ preeti~~ wrote: "Padma wrote: "Finished the Bedwyn Series..Oh my..what a saga..such different plots with twists.Loved them.
My favorite was the last one with the Duke..Extremely good read, very touching...loved th..."
Slightly Tempted- Morgan & Gervase's story..This was a good one too
I normally buy my books from market book stalls, second hand shops, Apple Books and eBay. I also have a price I won’t go above. If I am collecting a series, I normally find the books on eBay over a few months of looking.
Hope you find your books.
@Susan, I don't know if you can access Open Library in Australia, but if you can, then the last three books of the Bedwyn saga are available for check out for an hour. You can reborrow the book after each hour as long as no one else has checked it out. If Open Library has more than one version available for borrowing, then they can loan the book to you for two weeks. You'll need to create an account (it should be free) to check out books from the site. The books were digitally photocopied. You can either read the books in the browser or download a particular app (some version of Acrobat/PDF reader) to read it on your PC/laptop. I don't think the mobile app was that great.
Susan wrote: "I really really really want to read the Bedwyn series, but they are not available on kindle or Apple Books in Australia and neither of my libraries have them.Any suggestions for what I can do othe..."
Abebooks.com is a kind of 'broker' website for multiple online secondhand bookstores. I have bought a number of secondhand books through them and found the range and prices are good. It might be worth having a search on there and seeing what's available.
I finally finished A Rogue Meets a Scandalous Lady, from the Mackenzies and McBrides series. It's a looonngg series and I'm still not finished. LOL. I've enjoyed most of them actually, but this one not so much. 3 stars.
Jan wrote: "I finally finished A Rogue Meets a Scandalous Lady, from the Mackenzies and McBrides series. It's a looonngg series and I'm still not finished. LOL. I've enjoyed most of them actual..."You are doing really well with this series Jan. 10 books WOW.
I thought about reading this series, as it's had some good reviews. But I am already collecting to other Long series at the moment.
Thanks Shaz. Although I didn't like this book as much, most of them have been well worth the read. I get what you're saying though. It's hard to tackle more than one big series at a time.
Bru’s Tracking PostLevel: Addictive
Total Series: 2/9
Total Books: 11/43
Series 1: Girl Meets Duke by Tessa Dare - 3/4
4) The Bride Bet - to be released
Series 2: Bridgertons Series by Julia Quinn - 9/9 COMPLETED
1) The Duke and I - completed 08/05/2021
2) The Viscount Who Loved Me - completed 14/05/2021
3) An Offer From a Gentleman - completed 15/05/2021
4) Romancing Mister Bridgerton - completed 17/05/2021
5) To Sir Phillip, With Love - completed 23/05/2021
6) When He Was Wicked - completed 26/05/2021
7) It's in His Kiss - completed 31/05/2021
8) On the Way to the Wedding - completed 01/06/2021
9) The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After - completed 12/06/2021
Series 3: Smythe-Smith Quartet Series by Julia Quinn - 0/4
1) Just Like Heaven
2) A Night Like This
3) The Sum of All Kisses
4) The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy
Series 4: Rokesbys Series by Julia Quinn - 3/4
1) Because of Miss Bridgerton - completed 20/06/2021
2) The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband - completed 29/07/2021
3) The Other Miss Bridgerton - completed 29/12/2021
4) First Comes Scandal
Series 5: Men at Arms by Elise Marion - 2/2 COMPLETED
2) Cherishing the Captain - completed 16/03/2021
Series 6: The Matchmaker Series by Candace Camp - 1/4
2) The Bridal Quest
3) The Wedding Challenge: A Regency Romance
4) The Courtship Dance: A Regency Romance
Series 7: Wicked Dukes Club Series by Erica Ridley - 1/6
2) One Night of Surrender
3) One Night of Passion
4) One Night of Scandal
5) One Night to Remember
6) One Night of Temptation
Series 8: 12 Dukes of Christmas Series by Erica Ridley - 1/13
0.5) Making Merry
2) Kiss of a Duke
3) Wish Upon a Duke
4) Never Say Duke
5) Dukes, Actually
6) The Duke's Bride
7) The Duke's Embrace
8) The Duke's Desire
9) Dawn with a Duke
10) One Night with a Duke
11) Ten Days with a Duke
12) Forever Your Duke
Series 9: Spindle Cove Series by Tessa Dare - 0/9
1) A Night to Surrender
1.5) Once Upon a Winter's Eve
2) A Week to Be Wicked
3) A Lady by Midnight
3.5) Beauty and the Blacksmith
4) Any Duchess Will Do
4.5) Lord Dashwood Missed Out
5) Do You Want to Start a Scandal
5.5) Love Letters from a Lord
I just finished the Bridgertons. Although I'd finished a few other series, this felt the most momentous. Especially since a couple of my chosen series only needed one or two books to complete. I had many of the Bridgerton books to finish along with all of the novellas that I also hadn't read. I feel lighter. LOL. Because I have so much time on my hands (joking,) I calculated my average rating for all the books (including novellas) = 3.75 stars. I find that incredibly good since there were quite a few that I rated between 2-3 stars.
T. wrote: "I just finished the Bridgertons. Although I'd finished a few other series, this felt the most momentous. Especially since a couple of my chosen series only needed one or two books to complete. I ha..."I have discussed with Gaufre more than once that you should be able to calculate ratings by author and by friends, and what you're doing here: series.
Congrats!!!
Mariana wrote: "Welcome Bruna!"Yes, welcome. I'll get you added to the tracking post once I'm back on a computer. I'm terrible at modding lately though so might be a couple days.
Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "T. wrote: "I just finished the Bridgertons. Although I'd finished a few other series, this felt the most momentous. Especially since a couple of my chosen series only needed one or two books to com..."Right? I agree and the more I think about it, the overall rating actually feels about right.
Historical Romance Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Game (other topics)The Conqueror (other topics)
The Prize (other topics)
Promise of the Rose (other topics)
The Masquerade (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Grace Burrowes (other topics)Anna Bradley (other topics)
Laura Lee Guhrke (other topics)
Brenda Joyce (other topics)
Suzanne Enoch (other topics)
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That is a great one, Shaz..."
Got to say this one was a good read. Just finished reading How the Marquess Was Won and enjoyed it. Started reading A Notorious Countess Confesses Only up to page 53, not to sure about this book yet.