Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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TART Challenge - Round 3 - Snakes n Ladders (5)
Completion Post25. Read 4 books by one of the 2021 FACs.
Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz
Date Read: 3/30
Rating: 2*
Pages: 344
How It Fits: Author is January 2021 FACs
Review
This had the promise of being a good but it fell flat for me unfortunately. This is the first in the Dark Legacy series which is supposed to be a paranarmal, suspense romance but I felt I was missing something as if there was a previous history that was left out.
Tracking Post - Task 4 - 25. Read 4 books by one of the 2021 FACsLaura - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Louise - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Sally - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Stacie - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Completion PostTask: 25. Read 4 books by one of the 2021 FACs.
Book: Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis
Pages: 400
Date Read: 3/30
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Jill Shalvis is February 2021 FAC.
Completion PostTask 4 - 25. Read 4 books by one of the 2021 FACs.
Book:
Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan
Pages: 367
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Kristen Callihan is the March FAC
Review: Don't read this one hungry!! Also, I want a spin off with Sal.
I should finish mine in an hour or so - will check us in as soon as done. Am struggling meeting deadlines this week - only have one for another challenge left and if I miss the deadline for that no real biggie as the whole team is struggling so I’m not alone 😀
Task 4 - Completion Post Task: 25. Read 4 books by one of the 2021 FACs
Book:
Animal Attraction by Jill ShalvisPage numbers with source: 293 pp
How it qualifies: Jill Shalvis is the February 2021 FAC
Date read: 31/03/21
Rating: 4★s
Review: Jade had a traumatic event and is hiding out in Idaho as the office manageress of a veterinary surgery to recuperate and find her brave self again. Dell is Jade’s boss and he realises she needs to learn the art of self defence to take the scared look out of her face. The attraction builds between the two as she learns to trust others and herself - but time is running out and she has plans to return home. Really enjoyed this second book in the series and have access to the rest - woo hoo!
Louise wrote: "Completion Post25. Read 4 books by one of the 2021 FACs.
Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz
Date Read: 3/30
Rating: 2*
How It Fits: Au..."
Please add the first edition Kindle page count (344). Thanks!
While we wait for the correction... Here is your next task!Task 5 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task.
Please include the qualifying cover in your completion posts.
Tracking Post - Task 5 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task. Laura - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Sally - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Stacie -https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Louise -
I am going to read
Witch You Wouldn't Believe by Lucy May which luckily is the next book I am picking up!
I'm going to go with
for this one.Just realized I forgot a review for my last book!
MountainKat wrote: "Louise wrote: "Completion Post25. Read 4 books by one of the 2021 FACs.
Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz
Date Read: 3/30
Rating: 2*
..."
All done
Task 5 - Completion Post Task: 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task.
Book:
Witch You Wouldn't Believe by Lucy MayPage numbers with source: 192 pp
How it qualifies: Night sky on cover
Date read: 01/04/21
Rating: 2★s
Review: Violet returns to her home town as a dead body, believed murdered, has been found in the Lemon Tea factory she inherited from her Grandma. When she arrives she finds out her Granny was a witch, as is her mother and so to, apparently, is Victoria. Her mum is a prime suspect for the dead man’s end. There is a mean sheriff and a good looking guy who becomes her boyfriend.
Would have been 3★s but the ending wasn’t an ending instead it was just a pause in the story. Not even a cliffhanger just paused. I hate when that happens. The story not finished. Still lots of unknowns and very few threads closed but left wide open to continue into the next book. Well, I will not be reading anymore in this series
Completion PostTask: 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover
Book:
Dead HeatDate Read: 4/1
Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 336
Review: I love this series. When I was first read the Mercy Thompson books, I remember seeing this and thinking that I wouldn't be interested in a book about Charles. He seemed boring in those books. But I was so, so, so wrong. I love Charles & Anna more than I love Mercy & Adam.
Completion Post
I'd Give Anything by Marisa de los Santos
Date: 4/2
Pages: 272
Rating: 2 stars
How it fits: night sky on cover
Review:
Nothing happened in this book. Like nothing. There was a secret, the secret was wrong, forgiveness happened. But it was slow and boring and bad timing. I don't want to read the news (there's a plot having to do with a husband and an affair with a barely legal teenager). It was not at all what I've encountered from this author in the past.
Completion PostTask 5 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task
Moondance by Linda K. Hopkins
Date Read: 4/5
Rating: 4*
Pages: 355
How It Fits: Night Scene on Cover
Review
For a freebie this was actually a decent shapeshifter romance. Although a standalone, this would do well as a serial following Lee and Melissa in the Canadian rockies.
Here is your next task!Task 6 - 31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0.
Books selected for this task need to have an average rating of 4.0 or higher. You can find the average rating on the main book page under the title. (You can also add this as a sort feature on your shelves. 😉) Please include the average rating in your completion posts. If the rating is likely to fall below 4.0 during this task, i.e. has very few ratings and is barely 4.0 to begin with, a screenshot might be advisable.
I can do 2 with books I’m reading this week.
My book I just started doesn't work but the next couple do.
Both the books I’m reading now are over 4 so I can do 2 books as well
Tracking Post - Task 6 - 31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0. Laura - Book 1 -
Laura - Book 2 -
Sally - Book 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Sally - Book 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Stacie - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Louise - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Completion PostTask 6 - 31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0.
Greek Island Escape by Patricia Wilson
Pages: 360
Date Read: 4/6
Rating: 4*
How It Fits: Rated 4.5
Review
This is definitely a book where the saying “never judge a book by its cover” is oh so true. I was expecting a light hearted refreshing read, just the thing to listen to while at work. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The story follows 3 women whose lives are inextricably linked in a way they could never imagine. First there is Sofia, now an old woman, unable to speak who gives out slips of paper on the island of Crete and on her journeys around Athens, searching for the daughter she gave up when she was younger. Through her memories we learn of the tragic love story of a singer who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that her daughter was free. Next is Megan a young runaway who has fled to Manchester to seek out her path and make amends for the failure she perceives to be in her parents eyes. Feeling that the answer lies with her Granny Anna she yearns to find a way to save enough money to go to Crete to be with her. Finally is Zoe, mourning the loss of her mother, she too is searching for her daughter but at what expense. A successful youth magistrate the search for her daughter and the loss of her family sends her spiralling into a dangerous pit of despair. As each thread is woven their stories come together beautifully which during the final chapters brought a tear to my eye. Thoroughly enjoyable and totally heart wrenching.
Completion PostTask 6 - 31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Date: 4/7
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Rating is 4.13
Review:
Jane is a bad-ass. Now, this book is not to be started before bed as I had nightmares and woke up with my heart racing but it's a great, action packed, at times hard to read book. So many twists and turns, I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. Also lots of interesting (infuriating) racial relations commentary weaved in throughout the story. I really enjoyed this one. Plus it's got some asexual rep though it isn't a plot point, just a passing comment and bisexual rep as well.
Task 6 - Completion Post - 1 of 2 Task 6 - 31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0
Book 1:
Darak by Cara BristolPage numbers with source: 132 pp
How it qualifies: Is rated at 4.07 as at 07/04/21
Date read: 06/04/21
Rating: 4★s
Review: Lexi has the mother from hell - an utter snob who has no qualms in letting Lexi know that she is a failure in her opinion. Lexi owns her own successful cake making business but that’s not up to her mother’s standards. Lexi’s sister is the perfect one she is a hotshot lawyer and about to marry a partner in the law firm. Lexi is nothing. So to spite her mother, Lexi signs up with the Intergalactic Dating Agency for a date to take to her sisters wedding. Enter Darak seven feet of horned alien hotness - this is sure going to make her mother pay attention.
Task 6 - Completion Post - 2 of 2 Task 6 - 31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0.
Book 2:
To Coach a Killer by Victoria Laurie Page numbers with source: 304 pp
How it qualifies: Is rated at 4.21 as at 08/04/21
Date read: 08/04/21
Rating: 5★s
Review: Wow! Edge of the seat stuff - the twists and turns had my head spinning I had no idea who to trust. Cat is a Life Coach and her new client is cursed, bad things happen when he is around - Cat scoffs but when the fire alarm goes off in the office block she owns and smoke pours through the corridors she is a little ruffled. While she works out if his problem is real and how to solve it she is also dragged into unfinished business from book one - finding out why love interest number one Detective Steve Shepard’s ex-wife was murdered. When another murder occurs and her mysterious bad boy tenant, and second love interest, Maks, is arrested for it, Cat has to widen her informal investigation - but will she like what she finds out?
With Cat and Gilley on the case there are laughs and gasps - crashing hot air balloons, a herd of cute alpacas, a house that produces seasickness - and the body count mounts. This series is a clever balance of dark and funny. Cat and Gilley are best friends and make a wonderful team. She calms his over-the-topness and he brings her out of her shell. But they are both there for each other. I can’t wait for more of their adventures.
Completion PostTask: 6 - 31. Read 6 books rated 4.0 or over
Book: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Date Read: 4/8
Rating: 4.5 stars
Pages: 519
Review:
I really enjoyed this one. It's a great Space Opera, and I loved the relationships among the crew. Lovey's fate made me shed a few tears, and I hope that things change in the next book!
Book: Shield of Winter
Date Read: 4/8
Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 448
Review:
This one is well worth a re-read. I love Vasic, and the way he cares for Ivy Jane. I was rooting for them the whole time. Their story is a wonderful example of Psy breaking Silence!
Sally906 wrote: "Task 6 - Completion Post - 1 of 2 Task 6 - 31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0
Book 1:
Darak by Cara BristolPage numbers with source: 13..."
This book is too short, the minimum page count for this challenge is 150. ☹️
I am going to assign your next task anyway, but before the following task can be assigned the book that was too short will need to be made up. The book can be made up by anyone because Sally read two books for this task.
MountainKat wrote: "I am going to assign your next task anyway, but before the following task can be assigned the book that was too short will need to be made up. The book can be made up by anyone because Sally read t..."Damn - I can substitute
Pamela by Shannon MayerHas average rating of 4.54 read 07/04/21
Pages - 270
Review - despite its high average I really struggled with the book and it received only 2 ⭐️‘S from me.
Maybe it was because I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series I had no idea what was happening or why and it was so very emotional
Here is your next task!Task 7 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task.
Books selected for this task need to be written by a new to you author. You can have multiple books by your selected author, but only the one read for this task can be marked as read and rated. Please have the book on your shelves, preferably marked as read/rated - otherwise I get confused thinking I am looking at the wrong shelves! (It doesn't take much sometimes...) Please include a link to your shelves sorted for the selected author (preferred) or a link to your read shelf in your completion post.
Tracking Post - Task 7 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this taskLaura -
Sally - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Stacie - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Louise - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I am going to use Nellie by Cynthia Woolf - I have two books by this author on my shelves and have read neither of them, or her, before.
This one will probably take me until Monday to get to. Once Panem is over I’ll have more reading freedom!
Completion PostTask: Task 7 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task.
Pages: 367
How it fits: she's a new to me author Link to author on my shelves
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This one was really good and really hard. Set in LA during the Rodney King trial, it follows Ashley as she learns who her friends really are and that there's more to life than boys and prom. It also shows how much we as a country haven't changed one bit when it comes to racial inequality, especially when law enforcement is involved.
Task 7 - Completion Post Task 7 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task.
Book:
Nellie by Cynthia WoolfPage numbers with source: 361 pp
How it qualifies: Was a new for me author - I have two of Cynthia Woolf’s books on my Historical Romance shelf - but this is the first one read, the other is unread - shelf is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Date read: 09/04/21
Rating: 4★s
Review: Such a sweet story. Nellie is a widow with two young children. She travels to San Fransisco as a mail order bride. He owns a saloon complete with ladies to entertain the male clients but wants to be respected and is starting a more family friendly business to this end. She is looking for security. Neither expect love. Of course the path to love does not come easy - there are two hurdles to overcome - one of which could end up with Nellie dead.
Task 7 - Completion Post Task 7 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task.
My Brother's Bodyguard by G.L. Snodgrass
Pages: 330
Date Read: 4/11
Rating: 3*
How It Fits: New to me author G.L Snodgrass Shelved
Review
This was a typical boy meets girl and had every cliche going. Jimmy is a 13 years old genius and has been accepted to Stanford. Having been homeschooled he is sent to high school to complete his senior year before attending Stanford. Elle is his older sister and starting her junior year. On the first day of school Jimmy comes up against the school bullies and is defended by fellow senior Nate. Elle witnesses this and makes a deal with Nate to protect Jimmy so that he can complete his year, in return for pretending to be his girlfriend. What follows is the slow realization that it is not pretend and the bump in the road when the truth comes out leading to a HEA.
Completion Post - Task 7Task 7 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task.
Book: The Magic of Discovery
Pages: 294
Date Read: 4/12
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Britt Andrews Shelved
Review: There has been a lot of talk about this book in an RH group I'm on Facebook. And it did not disappoint. It was steamy hot, and had some insta-lust, but overall I liked the story and the world building. I will definitely read the next one soon!
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Thanks but going to make it - We are in semi lockdown here with another COVID flare up so I finished one book today and 3/4 through another - so the pressure is off.
One I can’t finish until April 1 so I can start reading it and hold off for the last little bit.