Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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TART Challenge - Round 3 - Rainbow Tarts (9)
Completion Post: Task 5 Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task - Magical Emporium
The Muffin Man by Kim Fielding
216 pgs
How book qualifies: Part of the Magic Emporium series https://www.goodreads.com/series/3089...
03/24
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun adventure
4.5 stars
I was happy that this book took into account last year’s fires in California as well as the pandemic without making the book depressing. It added realism without sensationalism. I loved seeing Morli react to the modern world. There’s not a lot of on page sex but I didn’t really miss it; I felt the attraction and love between them well enough without it. This was interesting and I devoured it!
Completion PostTask 5 - 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.
Geoffrey the Very Strange by Angel Martinez
Pages: 150 / GR Kindle 1st edition
Qualification: Magic Emporium Series
Read: 25/03/21
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)
Review: This was a very sweet and fun story. I loved all the characters in that little town, and the sense of community between them. Aspic and Geoffrey were a perfect match, two very lonely people (well, necromancer and half-demon) finding love and family. The fact that it was insta-love, though, was the only thing that didn't work for me. The relationship was very rushed.
Completion PostTask 5 - 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.
Geoffrey the Very Strange By Angel Martinez
Pages: 150 / GR Kindle 1st edition
Qualification: Magic Emporium Series
Read 3/25/21
Rating 4 Stars
Review: This is one of my go to authors when I am looking for a fun quick read, and this book was no different. Loved both of the quirky, slightly socially awkward MC's, but would have liked more of a slow build to relationship instead of insta love. Loved how the characters came to understand they are not alone, and can find acceptance and love. Highly enjoyable afternoon read.
Task 5◾ 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task. ⇢ Magic Emporium
✔ Filipa: Geoffrey the Very Strange | Completion Post
✔ KellyJo: Geoffrey the Very Strange | Completion Post
✔ Teresa: The Muffin Man | Completion Post
✔ Truitt: Hexes and Horns | Completion Post
Here is your next task!Task 6 - 24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.
Please provide a link to the bookshelf in your completion post.
So we need two people to read 2 books. I think we should pick our first and the first two to finish pick up the extra. :DI'm going to read The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings
from https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
What’s the rule about books you’ve started, but no finished Shan the task is posted?I’m listening to Blue now....
Ok - I have no idea what happened to the post above (autocorrect, probably). I can’t edit because I’m on my phone, so I’ll try again....but not finished before the task is posted.....
And I agree, Teresa - whoever finishes first reads a second.
Truitt_T wrote: "Ok - I have no idea what happened to the post above (autocorrect, probably). I can’t edit because I’m on my phone, so I’ll try again....but not finished before the task is posted.....
And I agre..."
Tru I think books need to be started after a task is posted, but I asked in the Q&A. Also had a question about the series rule.
Ok so MKat confirmed that books need to be started after a task is assigned. And the series rule is ok to use, so I'm going with Deosil.
Balefire #10 on shelf
Filipa wrote: "Ok so MKat confirmed that books need to be started after a task is assigned. And the series rule is ok to use, so I'm going with Deosil.
Balefire #10 on shelf"
Thank you - I thought that was the case, but I couldn't figure out where I'd read it.
Completion Post: Task 6 - 24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.
The Cattle Baron's Bogus Boyfriend
[*book:The Cattle Baron's Bogus Boyfriend|30075422]
216 pages per GR, see link above
How the book qualifies: on this list https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
3/26
⭐⭐⭐ (truly more like 2.5 - or even 2)
This was the closest I’ve come to an old school Harlequin romance since I’ve been reading M/M romance. That’s not necessarily a terrible thing, but it was somewhat jarring. It was a mildly entertaining three star read until some unnecessary and, again, rather jarring conflict was introduced. It’s a sweet (overly so), shallow, quick read.
In my completion post above I used the link Teresa was kind enough to provide. Is that all I need to do?And for my second book, it'll either be King Me (which is my next audio book after I finish The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings) or A Right Royal Affair, whichever I finish first.
And yet another post - sorry, everyone.Filipa, I've got another author to add to the writes under two names list: Amy Bellows / Bretton Sans
Also, I had to create a TBR/Want to Read shelf for the Scavenger Hunt, so here it is: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
There's not a lot on it, nor is all of it Romance, M/M or otherwise, but it's available.
Completion Post: Task 6 - Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.
The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings by Lily Morton
279 pgs /GR
On this list https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
03/27
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Good creep factor
I really liked the mystery and ambiance. I’m glad we got both Levi and Blue’s point of view; I really felt the attraction between them and appreciated that the relationship wasn’t rushed. The ghosts were creepy and though I suspected somethings, the mystery unfolded nicely. I’ll definitely read the next book!
Truitt_T wrote: "Completion Post: Task 6 - 24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.[boo..."
Yeah, that wasn't the best book. I think my 3 stars was generous as well, lol.
Truitt_T wrote: "In my completion post above I used the link Teresa was kind enough to provide. Is that all I need to do?And for my second book, it'll either be King Me (which is my next audio boo..."
A link to the lgbt shelf should be fine, but if you can link or make a note of the page your book is in it'll probably help MKat. :)
Truitt_T wrote: "And yet another post - sorry, everyone.
Filipa, I've got another author to add to the writes under two names list: Amy Bellows / Bretton Sans
Also, I had to cr..."
Thanks!
And thanks Tru and Teresa for reading our extra books!
Completion Post: Task 6 - 24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.
A Right Royal Affair
[*book:A Right Royal Affair|40229604]
322 pages per GR, see link above
How the book qualifies: on this list https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
3/26
⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)
I didn’t realize it initially, but A Right Royal Affair is a Cinderella retelling - one of several fairy tale retellings by the author. It wasn’t bad; it was a little to insta-love for me, but it was pleasant reading overall.
Teresa wrote: "Truitt_T wrote: "Completion Post: Task 6 - 24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last yearI saw your review after I read it, and I couldn't agree with you more. It felt like a bait and switch - it was definitely NOT a fake boyfriend novel, no matter what the title implies. Totally bogus, lol.
Filipa - another author who writes under two names: Helen Juliet / HJ Welch. I tried to link to the authors, but it went to something really odd....
ETA: Minerva Howe / Julia Talbot I don't think we have her listed....
And it's still being weird with author links....
Completion PostTask 6 - 24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.
Deosil by Jordan L. Hawk
Pages: 259 / GR Kindle 1st edition
Qualification: Balefire #10 on shelf (using series rule)
Read: 28/03/21
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I can't believe it's over. 😭 A fantastic end to a great series. I'm going to miss these characters so much, not just Whyborne and Griffin, but their found family, and the whole of Widdershins. "Widdershins knows its own, and welcome home. "
Completion Post: Task 6 - 24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.Hoarfrost by Jordan L. Hawk
Pages 274
Qualification using series rule https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
Read 3/28/21
Rating 4 stars
Review: I love this series. Whyborne and Griffin are such interesting characters and I love there stories. This author has such a entertaining writing style, everything I have read is a great read. Will be sad to see the end of this series.
Wait - we need one more book!!!!!I’m almost finished.....Teresa may be , too.
Ok - I’m finished with my audio version of King Me by Lucy Lennox, which is on the task list.I’m on my phone and can’t manage a proper completion post. If one of you would be willing to post it for me, we could go ahead and complete the task. Otherwise, it’ll be six hours or so until I can get to a computer to post.
5 stars
I’m done mine and can post in 15 min :)
Perfect! That’s much easier than someone trying to do a completion post for me. :)And I’ve been looking at that hit man series- I want to know what you think of it.
Completion Post: Task 6 - Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.
The Hitman's Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love by Alice Winters
375 pgs/GR
https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun
It’s strange calling a book about a hit man fun but this was. Leland was quirky and over the top but I loved him. I liked that Jackson and he meshed so well. There’s action, danger, and a sex swing! Fun times.
Completion post Task 61.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
2.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
3.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
4.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
5.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
6.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Truitt_T wrote: "Perfect! That’s much easier than someone trying to do a completion post for me. :)And I’ve been looking at that hit man series- I want to know what you think of it."
I really enjoyed it though not as much as her Vampire series. It did drag in a few places but Leland was hilarious and it made me laugh so much!
Excellent - I’ll have to give it a try.Now I don’t want to start another audio book until we find out our next task.....
KellyJo wrote: "Completion Post: Task 6 - 24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.Hoarfrost by Jordan L. Hawk..."
Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (234). Thanks!
While we are waiting for that correction... Here is your next task!Task 7 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task.
Books selected for this task need to have a night sky on the cover - moon, stars, etc. You can use any edition's cover to qualify. Please post the qualifying cover in your completion post. Feel free to ask if you have questions about any covers. 😊
I've been looking for an excuse to reread an old favorite: Bimbos of the Death Sun by Sharyn McCrumb.Yes, the title is idiotic, but it's really funny for anyone who was ever into SFF conventions.
I think that's stars enough for a night sky.
I'm going with Eating Stars by Angel Martinez.
MountainKat wrote: "KellyJo wrote: "Completion Post: Task 6 - 24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.Hoarfrost by [author:Jordan ..."
I updated my completion post. Thanks
Completion Post Task 7 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task.The Alpha's Mage by Claire Cullen
239 pgs/GR
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Good!
I liked Knox and Lorcan. I have a few questions about the world that I hope will be answered in the next book. This one has action, magic and sex.
Completion Post Task 7 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task.
by Sharyn McCrumbBimbos of the Death Sun
[*book:Bimbos of the Death Sun|53638832]
212 pages per GR, see link above
Night sky: see cover / link above
3/29
Rating/Review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mystery and literary fiction author Sharyn McCrumb published Bimbos of the Death Sun back in 1987 and while it holds up beautifully in many ways as spoof of SF&F cons and writers, it does show its age. Being reminded of just how many changes the world has seen in the last 30+ years - mimeographed fanzines, floppy disks, electronic mail for the Engineering Department, but not the English - is fun. Revisiting the endemic sexism, not so much. There's plenty of humor in Bimbos, but sometimes the truth-telling is more than a little cruel. Still, it's very well done and great fun if you're a SF&F reader and/or have ever made it to a con.
Completion PostTask 7 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task.
Eating Stars by Angel Martinez
Pages: 160 / GR Kindle 1st edition
Read: 30/03/21
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)
Review: A lovely story about two very lonely beings, both grieving, finding solace in each other. I loved seeing our world through Een's eyes. I just wished the relationship had been slowed down and developed more, it was a bit rushed.
Completion PostTask 7 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task.
Wild Moon by C.R. Jane
Pages 246
Read 3/30/21
Rating 3 stars
Review;
Not really sure how to rate this one. The story is entertaining but definitely have to ignore reality. The middle portion of this book is a little slow and you don't really find out about ex and what was done to MC until the end part of the book. Lots of things the MC does do not make sense. Maybe as the storyline progresses in the next two books things will come together better.
Here is your next task!Task 8 - 45. Read 6 books with 3 word titles.
Books selected for this task need to have titles that are three words long. For this task, articles and ampersands count in the word total. For example The Family Gathering, Cut & Run and Judgment in Death are all 3 word titles.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Hexes and Horns by Rowan McAllister
[*book:Hexes and Horns|56644956]
242 pages per GR, see link above
How book qualifies: Part of the Magic Emporium series https://www.goodreads.com/series/3089...
3/24
⭐⭐⭐
Hexes and Horns was cute and fun (I mean Unicorn - how far wrong can you go?), but there was more family unpleasantness than I enjoy. I also wish there had been more to the developing relationship between Ryan and Leo. There were also some interesting supporting characters I wouldn't have minded learning more about and a few unanswered questions at the end that almost make me want to read a sequel - almost. For whatever reason, I just didn’t love this one.