TART Challenge - Round 3 - Buns on the Run (13)

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

I have one picked for green cover - if we decide to go the other direction I'm sure I can find something.

[Shelby]

Green cover it is

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

COMPLETION POST
Task 1

Task: Read a book with a green cover
Book: Divergence
Pages: 210/GR Kindle first edition
How book qualifies: Over 70% green

Date Completed: 3/16
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: This series has some very unique world building aspects that I really like. I am really enjoying the Shaman aspects of the story. This one really delves into the magical politics which I admit I didn't like as much. However, what I did really like was the growth in the relationship between Kavon and Darren. I also liked that the fact that one of their teammates was a traitor in the last book wasn't just swept away but the characters were still dealing with how that affected them. We get new teammates in this book and they are interesting but even more interesting were the two detectives that we meet in this book. I hope we see more of them.
The case from the last book wraps up and it does it quicker and with less fanfare then I expected. This book seemed a little bit like a set-up book for what is to come in the magical aspects but still had enough to keep me interested. Definitely a series I plan to continue reading.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

I PM'd Ryland yesterday so hopefully we will hear something soon.

[AnnMarie]

I'll have my completion post today, I got up early to read and had a headache because I forgot to take my allergy medicine so I took it and some Advil and went back to sleep.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

If Shelby gets her completion post in today as well Ryland will have until Saturday to let us know what is going on

"A player will be removed if they make no comment for 5 days after a new task is assigned or 3 days after the rest of the team completes the task (whichever is later), despite attempts to make contact."

[Shelby]

Completion Post

Task: 1 - As a team select whether you are going to read books set in Ireland OR books with an Irish character OR books with a primarily green cover. (Green Cover)

Book/cover link: The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans

Page numbers with source: 286 per GR
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Cover - Green

Date Completed: (3/17)
Rating: ★★★★

This story was really sweet, and in some ways fails a little for being too sweet. Julian and Alex are adorable, but they're so lovey-dovey that you almost miss out a little on the idea of suspense or that something is out looking to harm Julian. Also the mystery falls a little short as you really don't have enough information to pick up the pieces and figure out who the villain is. Ok scratch that, I figured out who the bad guy was, just not how he related to everyone else and why Julian was the target specifically until they finally explained it all. And that really was just because there wasn't a lot of dangling information to go on.

Still I really enjoyed the way magic was explained and functions within this story and I do like all the characters relationships. They're all great friends and the warmth of their feelings for each other shows. I'll definitely read the next book in there series. This is a bit more of a feel good story than most mystery/suspense/thrillers. :)

[Shelby]

It was a long, but wonderful couple of days on set. But was really happy to have a quieter day today so I could finish up my reading. It's been on my TBR for an age at this point. I was so exhausted at the end of each of the shoot days I got very little reading done. I feel asleep with my book open last night when I got home. :-p

[AnnMarie]

Completion Post - Task 1:
Read books set in Ireland OR books with an Irish character OR books with a primarily green cover . Each teammate must read a book that fits the qualification selected, no pass for this task.

A Midwinter Prince by Harper Fox
248 pages (GR)

3/17
★★★☆☆ - I listened to the audio and it was a good story. It wasn't quite what I was expecting and I definitely did not love this as much as some others but I didn't hate it :) It is my fault, I was expecting historical and missed the note in the blurb on GR stating this is a contemporary story. It was good but I am not in a rush to read the sequel.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Task One - Read a book with a green cover
Team 13 - Buns on the Run

Danielle: Completion Post
Shelby: Completion Post
AnnMarie: Completion Post

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I see you are all finished, I have messaged Ryland as well. Hopefully he will comment soon.

[Ryland]

Before we move much further in this competition/challenge, I think we need to address communication. I received two DMs, one of which said I would be removed if I don't check in. I didn't realize I had to check in. I didn't want to make comments if I didn't have anything to add because I didn't want to bog down the thread.

That usually wouldn't be a huge deal and I'd just try to suck it up, but I had a pretty significant stress response due to recent events and I just wanna clarify some things to avoid miscommunication on my end in the future.

At risk of oversharing, I'm autistic and I had a meltdown yesterday. My brain has basically been offline for the better part of the day. I would really appreciate if I could just hang out and read books that fit the prompts rather than being expected to weigh in on every detail. Usually unless a question is explicitly asked directly @ me, I don't realize I'm being asked to contribute and that can make situations like this feel stressful because it feels very sudden to me.

I don't mind if you guys make the decisions about what categories, etc. without me. There is so much I haven't read that I'm sure I can find a book to fit whatever you guys choose and if I haven't weighed in, you can just go ahead and decide. I've been checking in with the thread everyday but was only just able to finish my book today because it's been a rough few days. It always is when recovering from a meltdown.

I have a tendency to miss social cues unless it's explicitly stated. If you guys could, in the future, please use my name when you're expecting me to weigh in on something so that I don't miss that cue, otherwise I might not realize when I'm expected to update or contribute to the conversation. And I realize that it might seem obvious to you guys when communication is expected, but it isn't to me. That's just one of those things that I have to try to find work-arounds for.

I promise I usually don't respond so negatively to DMs, but my post-meltdown brain usually makes me feel guilty about the meltdown itself and missing communication cues compounds that guilt. I'm hoping we can work something out that can prevent miscommunication on my part and also prevent stress on your end from feeling like I'm not going to contribute.

I hope this makes sense and isn't too much to ask for in terms of accommodations. If it feels like too much to ask, please let me know and I can leave the challenge.

[Ryland]

Completion Post - Task 1

Task: Read a book with a green cover
Book: Once You Are Mine



Completed: 3/17
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Pages: 170/Amazon Kindle Edition (looks like the page count wasn't added to the GR page, but it can be found on the amazon page here)

Review:
i'm usually not much a fan of insta-love. sometimes it's done well and i can get around it, but usually it just feels like an unrealistic trope and the chemistry between mc's feels more like lust and that initial admiration of a new relationship than something built on accepting each other's flaws and loving them anyway.

i know that's hard to pull off, and so typically i avoid insta-love type stories for that reason. HOWEVER, the premise for this one seemed really interesting to me and i wanted to give it a fair shot.

i really liked alex. his flaws were front and center, he was relatable, he was fresh out of jail and trying to make something of himself, and that naturally made me want to root for him.

terry felt a little... idk? he was the owner of a bar and all of his interactions with alex seemed extremely serious. terry almost felt a little creepy. i would not have been surprised to find out at the end of the book that terry had been watching him and knew exactly who he was the entire time.

that, of course, gave this book a bit of a ominous feel from my perspective, which isn't what i think the author was going for. either way, it actually kinda worked for me.

i also appreciated reading a story set in the pandemic. there don't seem to be many of these out yet (i'm guessing we'll get tons over the next year though) but already it feels like pandemic quarantine and social distancing has become an engrained way of life already. it's nice to read something set in the pandemic because it almost gives it an extra layer of reality.

pretty good book. 3/3.5 out of 5.

[Shelby]

Ryland wrote: "Before we move much further in this competition/challenge, I think we need to address communication. I received two DMs, one of which said I would be removed if I don't check in. I didn't realize I..."

Ryland - this is really good information for us to know. Usually with these type of challenges we're all used to a lot of communication from people. That was an assumption on our part as we've all played challenges with people where the sudden disappearance or lack of communication means the person has mysteriously disappeared likely not to return. It leaves the rest of the group in limbo and unable to move forward with the challenge while they wait to hear from someone that may never again check in.

What if we do this...just so we know you've seen the post whenever the next challenge is posted, whenever a new round is posted could you just post a "Heard", "Got it", some sort of acknowledgement that you've seen what's going on. I think part of the confusion this round was it was the first one and that it required a decision to be made before we could read. In the future if we've seen any sort of acknowledgement from you that you've seen the post we'll know that you don't have an opinion on what we decide and we'll just move forward with our own general consensus.

We certainly want you to be able to enjoy the challenge as a low stress situation for you. I'm sorry things set you up to deal with an overload situation. Thank you for getting your book posted. Maybe to help yourself in future challenges as well, as long as you're comfortable sharing, putting some of that information out up front will help your fellow participants plan and keep the stress low for you. It's really easy on the internet to misconstrue things I know. But as a whole this group is really supportive and a lot of people on here use reading as an escape and a way to cope with their own personal demons. I know for myself it's a way for me to deal with my ADHD and my anxiety. The one thing that helps me keep my stresses down and the challenges help shut my ADHD brain up a bit. We're all used to making accommodations for people so what you're asking is not a bother or a problem or anything of the sort. Having this information will help us all enjoy the game more and take stress levels down for all of us. :)

I'm going to take a minute to post us as complete for this round and our new options will hopefully come soon.

[Shelby]

Task One - Read a book with a green cover
Team 13 - Buns on the Run

Danielle: Completion Post
Shelby: Completion Post
AnnMarie: Completion Post
Ryland: Completion Post

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Ryland

Thanks for letting us know. That helps us move forward in a way that works for the whole team. I second everything Shelby said. I have no problem with you not wanting to be involved in deciding which category we read but if at any point you want to add your opinion or don't like what we pick please speak up and let us know. Also it would be helpful like Shelby said just to let us know you've seen the category so we can comfortably start reading. I felt bad for reading a book with a green cover not knowing if it was something you were comfortable doing but at the same time I didn't want to wait to long to start a book.

We definitely want you to feel comfortable and have a fun and relaxing time with this challenge so hopefully we can all work together to make it that way.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Ryland

My apologies for adding to your stress in any way, that was not my intention. I only meant a friendly reminder since I had no way to know you had been checking it. I know that now and will not worry about you going forward. I want this to be a low stress challenge for everyone! Thank you for letting us know how you communicate best and that you are paying attention.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 2 - 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG.

Contemporary and Romance do not have to be combined together and can be combined with other words such as MM Romance, but both words must be MPG! Screen shots may be advisable if the book has few of either tags and it is likely to fall from MPG status. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count!

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

I'm starting one that is 429 pages. I'm listening to it while I work today :) It's almost 10 hours but I'll knock 8 hours out at work since today is a day where I'm just doing building inspections so nothing but walking around which means I can listen to a book all day.

[Shelby]

I'm starting one at 336pgs. Which will take us over 700. That should make it easy for the final 300pgs to be achieved with whatever Ryland and AnnMarie choose. :)

[AnnMarie]

My book is 251 pages :)

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

So that leaves Ryland with any contemporary book with at least 150 pages since that's the minimum :)

[Ryland]

I appreciate the positive response. I'll check in when i see a new prompt posted to let you know ive seen it. I'm sure a lot of the concern was with it being the first challenge topic, I think youre right on that, and probably a lot of it was compounded by my pasy few days. which isn't in any way on any of you. I've reread my previous post a few times and i wanted to clarify that my intent wasnt to seem angry or upset about anyone reaching out. I was just trying to communicate why I felt the need to bring it up and then also touch bases on communication.

@mountainkat, no worries at all and no apology necessary. it truly wasnt something you could have forseen happening.

I really appreciate you guys being understanding and letting me hang out and read. as i mentioned before, I'll check in when i see a new prompt and if you dont see me right away and make a decision without me that's 100% ok.

[Ryland]

I believe the book i started today has ~250 pages. we're definitely good for over the 1000 mark

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Completion Post
Task 2: Read a book with an MPG Contemporary

Book: Rebound
Pages: 429
Date Read: 3/19
How it Fits: MPG Contemporary
Rating: 3.5 (rounded up to 4)
Review: I really liked this one and the characters. It also had some good secondary characters. My only problem was that the book had so many things (age gap, PTSD, public figure, blended family, abusive exes) that it wasn't able to delve deep on any of them except the abusive exes. Still over all I enjoyed listening to this book and would definitely listen to the next on in the series.

[AnnMarie]

Completion Post - Task 2:
Read a book with an MPG Contemporary

A Friend in the Dark by Gregory Ashe & C.S. Poe
251 pages (GR)

MPG Contemporary
3/19
★★★★☆ - I started listening to the audio but the narrator wasn't to my liking, not enough difference in voices, so I swapped to reading and I enjoyed it much better. Gregory Ashe is hit or miss for me but CS Poe is a favorite and thankfully this one was a win for me. The ending was kind of UGH but book 2 so is to be released soon. I would recommend but if book 2 has a cliffhanger I may wait to continue the series until all of the books are released.

[Ryland]

Would this count as MPG romance? I'm reading another book right now but I finished this one last night and if it counts I can just do the completion post based on this book.

[AnnMarie]

Ryland wrote: "Would this count as MPG romance? I'm reading another book right now but I finished this one last night and if it counts I can just do the completion post based on this book.

[bookcover:Hot Head|10..."

Yup, looks like it to me :)

[Shelby]

Completion Post

Task: 2 - 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG.

Book/cover link: Under Control


Page numbers with source: 336 per GR
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: MPG - Contemporary Romance
Date Completed: (3/19)
Rating: ★★★½

So really there was nothing exactly wrong with this book. It was enjoyable, but it was also super predictable. I find that with straight M/F romance if there's not some other genre involved as well I don't love the stories as much as I used to. Everything about this book went pretty much exactly how I expected it to. Even the conflict, that was inevitable considering the characters stressed over it for 80% of the book, was over and done with in a couple of pages. This was a sweet story, but it was really boy meets girl, they fall in love, and other than one minor hiccup it was smooth sailing and happily ever after.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Ryland wrote: "Would this count as MPG romance? I'm reading another book right now but I finished this one last night and if it counts I can just do the completion post based on this book.

[bookcover:Hot Head|10..."

Yes it would definitely work as contemporary and romance since they are both listed on the main book page.

[Ryland]

Completion Post - Task 2
Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG



Hot Head - Damon Suede
Completed: 3/19
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Pages: 320 | Kindle First Edition

not going to copy and paste the full review, but in short, i was very disappointed by this author's racist and ableist views - which are both displayed in this book and in the author's life. the book contains several slurs and relies heavily on racial stereotyping. overall a very unpleasant book to read.

[AnnMarie]

Task Two - Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG
Team 13 - Buns on the Run

Danielle: Completion Post
Shelby: Completion Post
AnnMarie: Completion Post
Ryland: Completion Post

Rebound - 329 pages
Under Control - 336 pages
A Friend in the Dark - 251 pages
Hot Head - 320 pages

1236 pages total

[AnnMarie]

AnnMarie wrote: "Task Two - Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG
Team 13 - Buns on the Run

Danielle: Completion Post
Shelby: Completion Post
AnnMarie: Completion Post
Ryland: Comp..."

I think I did this correctly? I will check back to see if anything needs to be updated.

[AnnMarie]

Ryland wrote: "Completion Post - Task 2
Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG



Hot Head - Damon Suede
Completed: 3/19
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Pages: 320 | Kin..."

He is most definitely on my list of authors behaving badly. I removed my rating and he is a nope for me going forward.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 3 - 20. Read 4 books 300 pages or longer.

Pretty self explanatory... Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count!

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Picked my book and started it today :)

[AnnMarie]

I am about half way through my book, should be done tomorrow for sure.

[Ryland]

Completion Post - Task 3
Read 4 books 300 pages or longer



Want Me by Neve Wilder
Completed: 3/21
Rating: ★★★★☆
Pages: 304 | Kindle First Edition

this was real sexy

i loved nate. he's your typical frat boy uni student, and he happens to be a little curious. what starts off as accidental voyeurism with his roommate eric turns into something more, and often. the chemistry between eric and nate was fire and it was nice to see a straight-to-gay (in this case bi) trope with an mc that doesn't freak out about his attraction to men.

this was my first neve wilder book and it won't be my last. i already purchased the second book in this series and pre-ordered the third.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Completion Post
Task 3 - Read a book over 300 Pages


Book: Get Over It by Lisa Oliver
Date Read: 3/21
Pages: 432
Rating: 2 Stars (and that's generous)
Review: I don't understand how this book could possibly have an overall rating of 4.21. One of the MC's is not only an asshole but a terrible person. He almost lets his mate drown because he doesn't want to have a mate and stands by hoping someone else will save him. He tells him he doesn't want him, he's in love with a guy who's dead (been dead for 2,000 years) he's too weak for him and wouldn't mate with him if he was the last person on earth. When his mate is kidnapped he knows he could save him by asking his father but decides to do nothing because he doesn't want to deal with having a mate and there might be strings attached to asking his father for help. He doesn't help look for his mate he just gets drunk and wallows because he feels a little guilty. Later he tells his mate that his ex-lover found his mate and he wanted to kill that mate but his father stopped him. He didn't care that this would cause his ex-lover horrible pain and eventually death since they were mated. Then he says that he was happy his ex-lover died shortly after because at least the mate didn't get him for long. Sadly, after hearing all of this his mate forgives him very easily (even knowing he did nothing to save him from the kidnapper). Seriously - it was like Oh I know I should be upset that you wanted to kill the mate of your ex-lover and your happy he died so no one else could have him and you didn't bother to try to save me from the the guy who wanted to rape, torture and kill me but I'll just give you a blowjob instead.

[Shelby]

Completion Post

Task: 3 - 20. Read 4 books 300 pages or longer.

Book/cover link: Redemption


Page numbers with source: 362 per GR
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Page Count - 300+
Date Completed: (3/21)
Rating: ★★★★★

Ok wow, after a few books in the series that I liked, but weren't among my favorites this one killed me. This was such a good story and a great addition to this series. This is definitely one of those rip your heart out stories too.

Phoenix is supposed to be watching to make sure Levi isn't a threat to Ronan's husband Seth any longer after he was one of the three men who assaulted Seth's family years before. But what Phoenix is seeing doesn't match up to what he would expect from such a hardened criminal.

Poor Levi. He's had such a devastating life so far. No one is aware of the reality of his situation, the things he's dealt with his entire life from his family, most specifically his brother. He's spent time in jail and that was just as miserable an experience as what he grew up with. For the first time in his life he's got things to look forward to, but he struggles to think that he deserves any of those things.

This one really tore at me. I hurt for Levi and just wanted him to learn to trust in Phoenix and the possibilities in front of him. He cares so much for Henry and is trying to hard to make a life for them while still dealing with the trouble elements in his life and his family. Phoenix's life hasn't been all sunshine and roses either. I wanted these two to find some joy together. Definite tears throughout this one. But all the good possibilities were there and you were always hopeful.

[AnnMarie]

Completion Post - Task 3:
Read 4 books 300 pages or longer.
Fakers by Lucy Lennox & May Archer
334 pages (GR)
3/22
★★★★★ - I really enjoyed this book, more than I expected honestly. Humorous stories with a cast of quirky characters is one of my favorites and this story delivered on that. It was definitely predictable but I am totally okay with that. I liked the main characters and how the romance developed. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a good job. I will be continuing with the series for sure.

[AnnMarie]

Task Three- Read 4 books 300 pages or longer.
Team 13 - Buns on the Run

Danielle: Completion Post
Shelby: Completion Post
AnnMarie: Completion Post
Ryland: Completion Post

Get Over It - 432 pages
Redemption - 362 pages
Fakers - 334 pages
Want Me - 304 pages

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 4 - 23. Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task.

To qualify for this task, the selected books need to be marked as read by one of the RRRC moderators. Please include a link to the moderator's review or read shelf in your completion posts. Fran, Jane, Karen and I all read MM Romance, but Jane reads MM exclusively so her shelves might be easier to search for something you are interested in.

ETA: Fran's profile is private, but I'm sure she will accept any friend requests. 😊

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

I'm going to read A Boy and His Dragon which Jane PS has read. Just for my post later the link to her review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Ryland]

Completion Post - Task 4
Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task.



The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Completed: 3/22
Rating: ★★★★☆
Pages: 342 | Kindle First Edition
Read by Fran | Review Link

welp i accidentally read m/f, just saw sexy chest and started reading it lol

i can always count on elle kennedy to write good romance, and the deal was no exception. the most important part of romance to me is the chemistry, and i typically don't read much m/f romance because the characterization of women feels off when i'm reading romance novels, if that makes any sense? i didn't get that artificial feeling from hannah, though.

garrett was sweet and patient with hannah, but also very cocky in a sexy way. he rode that thin line between teasing and genuinely listening that made him read as a very caring person, which is exactly what hannah needed.

this was a great book. i'll probably continue with the rest of the series as well.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Ryland wrote: "Completion Post - Task 4
Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task.



The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Completed: 3/22..."

I read the whole series. The first was my favorite but I really liked the second one as well. The 3rd and 4th were just okay for me. (3 star reads) Hope you end up liking the whole series.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

COMPLETION POST - Task 4
Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task.


A Boy and His Dragon by R. Cooper
Pages: 236
Date Read: 3/23
How it Fits: Read by Jane PS
Jane's Review
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It's very sweet and the dragon is a bit different then dragons are portrayed in a lot of books. It is a VERY slow burn romance and at times a little frustrating that Arthur didn't pick up any of the hints that the dragon dropped. Overall a sweet, fun book. I will continue with this series.

[AnnMarie]

Completion Post - Task 4:
Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task.


Dark Space by Lisa Henry
229 pages (GR)

Read by Jane 3/26/13
3/23
★★★☆☆ - I didn't love it. I liked the main characters, world-building was okay. I read a lot of traditional sci-fi/fantasy and I think that sometimes skews my opinions when I read books in the genre. I may end up continuing the series but I am not in any rush to do so.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

AnnMarie wrote: "Completion Post - Task 4:
Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task.


Dark Space by [author:..."

Sorry you didn't love it. I love science fiction and the aliens being so much more advanced then earth was cool plus the aliens were pretty unique so really enjoyed the series.

[Ryland]

Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "COMPLETION POST - Task 4
Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task.


[book:A Boy and His Dragon|18..."

oohhhhh i'm adding this one to my tbr. glad to hear you liked it