TART Challenge - Round 4 - The Loitering Layabouts (6)

[Donna]

Lisa wrote: "Similiar to mine. Theyre wired but I am sure you could get wireless.
They come with different sized pointy bits.

Yes, that is the shape that I use... they work very well! I was picturing a triangular tip when you said "pointed"! ;p

I can't use the flat ones or the "big ball" ones...

UGH, I had to remove the link to get this comment to post! How did you get it to post in the first place?

[Donna]

There, we are NOW on page 3... ALL is well! *snort* LOL!!!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 2 - 8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.

To qualify for this task, the book’s cover needs to clearly and obviously show a beach. Ideally, you would want to show sand/dirt and the edge of water on your covers. You can use any edition’s cover to qualify for this task. Please include the qualifying cover in your completion posts.

[Lisa]

Selection Post
Task 2 - Beach on cover

193 pages
How it qualifies: beach on cover

[*book:Under The Sun|19072394]

[Shannon]

Task 2 Selection Post
8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.


Firefly Lane by Riley Hart
Pages: 269
Qualification: Beach on Cover

[*book:Firefly Lane|58678307]

[Donna]

What, did you guys pick yours in advance? *headdesk* ;p

[Shannon]

@Donna, I have a hard time spending that kind of money on things like that but after watching my kids walk around with them for a couple years I thought...Screw you! Mama needs some good ear pods! They don't stay in my ears the best and when one falls out I act like I dropped a diamond earring but I love the stupid things. There should be some brands that make the nice ones to fit your ears though. The sound quality is worth the money IMO. :p

[Lisa]

No, just went to the set on an island list

[Donna]

Lisa wrote: "No, just went to the set on an island list"

I started there and ended up picking a book I just got this morning... I do like me some Merry Farmer!!!

Task 2: Selection Post
8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.

Between His Lover and the Deep Blue Sea by Merry Farmer
258 pgs/GR

How it qualifies: Beach on the cover!


[*book:Between His Lover and the Deep Blue Sea|57880506]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Lisa wrote: "Similiar to mine. Theyre wired but I am sure you could get wireless.
They come with different sized pointy bits.

https://www.amazon.com/Headphones-Mic......"

Huh - did you notice you were able to put a link in your post??!!!!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Shannon wrote: "@Donna, I have a hard time spending that kind of money on things like that but after watching my kids walk around with them for a couple years I thought...Screw you! Mama needs some good ear pods! ..."

I was a bit the same - 4 years with the one set and treated them like gold. But brain-freeze and in they went into the washing machine. Realised about 5 minutes into the hour cycle!

I admit, I panicked and bought a set from Apple immediately. And then later that day, after hefting a calf around and doing my annual performance appraisal with work, I found the Pros on sale. Yep - I DESERVED that extra set! And one may turn up faster in my mailbox than the other 🤪 ...(as our local delivery services go on strike 🙄)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 2 - Selection Post
8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.

Joshua's Rainbow
Pages: 236
Qualification: Beach on Cover


[*book:Joshua's Rainbow|37822491]

[Donna]

Task 2: COMPLETION POST
8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.

Between His Lover and the Deep Blue Sea by Merry Farmer
258 pgs/GR Finished: 9/23/21 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How it qualifies: Beach on the cover!


Review:
I wish the Author's Note had been at the beginning of this book, instead of at the end. Maybe jump back there and read it before you start the story! I'd like to think that things could have been this way in the past, and if they weren't, they should have been! I have never been able to understand why certain sects of people feel the need to "play god" and demand that their way is the "way of the lord" when in reality they are just bigoted, small-minded people that have obviously NEVER picked up the Bible and read the New Testament... I have... multiple times... *grin*

As for the story... it was a joy to read! Adam and (OK, I won't lie, this name just didn't work for me!) Septimus were both looking for the path that would fulfill their own dreams, then they met... fell in lust... then fell in love... and that's when it all started getting interesting!

I can see that this series is going to give us a full cast of intriguing characters with what appears to be some uplifting storylines... who could ask for more than that? *grin*

BTW: I can't help myself. Was Septimus 8 or 10 when he began his life at sea as a cabin boy? Asking for a friend! ;p

[*book:Between His Lover and the Deep Blue Sea|57880506]

[Lisa]

Completion Post
Task 2 - Beach on cover

193 pages
How it qualifies: beach on cover
Date read: 9/24/21
4 stars

A nice easy read, with no angst.
Jamie is returning after being injured in Afghanistan. He meets wedding Planner, Edward on an island and love takes off.
A cute story

[*book:Under The Sun|19072394]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 2 - COMPLETION
8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.

Joshua's Rainbow
Pages: 236
Qualification: Beach on Cover

Read: 25 Sept
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Sweet story. I enjoyed the cast of characters and their range of issues which are addressed but not be-laboured, including our MCs. I was definitely involved in the story but I did feel the MC's relationship should have had longer to grow.

Narrated by Darcy Stark. New narrator for me, but they did a great job.

[*book:Joshua's Rainbow|37822491]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 2 - #8 : beach on the cover
COMPLETION - part

Donna - Between His Lover and the Deep Blue Sea - msg 113
Lisa - Under The Sun - msg 114
Jane - Joshua's Rainbow - msg 115

[Shannon]

Task 2 Completion Post
8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.


Firefly Lane by Riley Hart
Pages: 269
Qualification: Beach on Cover
Read: 9/24/21
Rating: a sad ★★★

Kind of disappointed in this book. I usually love Riley's books but this one felt more like a family book with a romance thrown in there. A whole lot of focus on the teenage boys and the men's friendship, not enough on the good sexy parts. Low angst, perfect people, perfect town...kind of boring.

[*book:Firefly Lane|58678307]

[Shannon]

Task 2 - #8 : beach on the cover
COMPLETION - part 2

Shannon - Firefly Lane - Msg 117

[Shannon]

Posted in completion thread!!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

OK Speed Readers, I'll be back tomorrow with your next task.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

And here you go!

Task 3 - 2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.

Every teammates reads a book numbered 1 or lower in a numbered series listed on GR. Teammates can read the same or different series. Please include the series and number in your completion posts.

[Lisa]

Task 3 - #1 in a series
Selection Post
Shortbread and Shadows
How it qualifies: series: Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club #1
158 pages

[*book:Shortbread and Shadows|54146771]

[Donna]

Task 3- #1 in a series. SELECTION POST

Cornelius by Taylor Rylan
179 pgs/GR
How it qualifies: Warlocks of Amherst series #1.

[*book:Cornelius|55456128]

Family Camp by Eli Easton
219 pgs/GR
How it qualifies: Daddy Dearest series #1.
[*book:Family Camp|44558143]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 3 - Selection Post
2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.

Changing Lines
Pages: 225
Qualification: 1st book in the Harrisburg Railers

[*book:Changing Lines|35354700]

[Shannon]

Task 3 - Selection Post
2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.


Charles by Con Riley
Pages: 330
Qualification: #1 in Learning to Love series

[*book:Charles|57569079]

[Donna]

Task 3- #1 in a series. COMPLETION POST

Family Camp by Eli Easton
219 pgs/GR 9/25/21 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How it qualifies: Daddy Dearest series #1.

Review:
Aww, was that adorable, or what? *sigh*

Yes, I will admit that I am a sucker for a story with kids, but I can be a bit critical if the kids aren't written properly, but that wasn't the case here. Ms. Easton was spot on, and what amazing kids they were! *grin*

Travis and Geo had a hard row to hoe to get where they wanted to be, but Travis made a scary life-changing choice and with the help of family and friends, they just pushed through to their HEA!

[Shannon]

Task 3 - Completion Post
2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.


Charles by Con Riley
Pages: 330
Qualification: #1 in Learning to Love series
Read: 9/25/21
Rating: ★★★★

What a feel good book! Poor Charles thinks he's fairly useless when all he wants to do in life is work with little kids and help build them up and get them ready for grade school. And poor Hugo who thought he had it all and got hurt badly trying to help kids. To say they were perfect for each other would be an understatement. Yes, we had the big misunderstanding but I loved it anyways. Great read!!

[*book:Charles|57569079]

[Lisa]

Task 3 - #1 in a series
Completion Post
Shortbread and Shadows
How it qualifies: series: Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club #1
158 pages
Date read: 9/26/21
3 stars

What a strange book.
Barty is part of a small coven who enact a spell which goes wrong.
Strange things happen but this is all on the background as it Barty's romance which is front and centre.
Perhaps the strange events and the disappearance of Barty's friends will be resolved in book 2.

[*book:Shortbread and Shadows|54146771]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 3 - COMPLETION
2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.

Changing Lines
Pages: 225
Qualification: 1st book in the Harrisburg Railers
Read: 26 September
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I liked that this story didn't have any major friction - it was an lovely story of two men reconnecting and navigating life in sports and with family. There are a few tropes mixed through the story which enriched the reading experience without being 'stuffed' into it: brother's best friend, man with child from prior relationship, age gap, coming out (and probably more, but who's keeping count ;)

Narrated by Sean Crisden - he did a great job. 5 stars.

[*book:Changing Lines|35354700]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Completion Summary - Task 3
2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.

Donna - Family Camp - msg 126
Shannon - Charles - msg 127
Lisa - Shortbread and Shadows - msg 128
Jane - Changing Lines - msg 129

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Posted in the Tracking thread :)

Now another 24 hours to wait...

[Donna]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Posted in the Tracking thread :)

Now another 24 hours to wait..."

I'm not at home, so this is probably a good thing! Should be back before the call, unless she posts early, again... *headdesk* ;p

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I haven't checked your books, but I doubt there will be any problems. I'll be back tomorrow once I get to my computer with your next task. 😊

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Task 3- #1 in a series. COMPLETION POST

Family Camp by Eli Easton
219 pgs/GR 9/25/21 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How it qualifies: Daddy Dearest series #1.

Review:
Aww, was that a..."

Hi Donna - it makes no real difference (page numbers are the same), but please update your link to the Kindle edition :)

[*book:Family Camp|44558143]

[Donna]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Task 3- #1 in a series. COMPLETION POST

Family Camp by Eli Easton
219 pgs/GR 9/25/21 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How it qualifies: Daddy Dearest series #1.

Review:
A..."

All fixed! Dang, I hate when the page count and the pub date are the same, not to mention the cover... it is hard to figure out which one is the right one on that little list without actually clicking on it after you post it... which I NORMALLY do... *headdesk* ;p

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 4 - 16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children.

Books selected for this task need to be tagged with 'child', 'children' or other variations of the word. Combo tags will be allowed in context, 'no kids please' would not work. Please include a link to the top shelves page of your qualifying tag along with the number of tags and the page top shelves page number. This information makes it easier for me to find if the link is broken or the tag moves - and both often happen! Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count!

[Lisa]

Selection Post
Task 4 - 750 pages tagged children

All Kidding Aside
264 pages
Tagged: childrens x7 on MPG.
Also #343 on Gay books dealing with children.

[*book:All Kidding Aside|54622491]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 4 - Selection
#16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children.

Abel's Omega
Pages: 360
Qualifies: tagged 'children' x5
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

[*book:Abel's Omega|30634908]

[Shannon]

Task 4 - Selection
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged children.


Unguarded by Jay Hogan
Pages: 333
Qualification: MPG Children

[*book:Unguarded|56758557]

[Donna]

Sooooo, I guess since you guys have 957 pages total, you don't need me to read a book? *snort* LOL!!!

[Donna]

Task 4 - Selection
#16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children.


The Virgin Manny by Amy Lane
Tagged: Childrens x11 on MPG.
179 pgs/GR
[*book:The Virgin Manny|33397130]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Sooooo, I guess since you guys have 957 pages total, you don't need me to read a book? *snort* LOL!!!"

Lol - didn't even notice the pages!!

[Shannon]

Donna wrote: "Sooooo, I guess since you guys have 957 pages total, you don't need me to read a book? *snort* LOL!!!"

I'm just kissing up for a crappy category. I'll be happy to slack then.....

[Lisa]

This arrived this morning. Hoping to fit it into a category in the near future.

[Shannon]

Task 4 - Completion
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged children.


Unguarded by Jay Hogan
Pages: 333
Qualification: MPG Children
Read: 9/28/21
Rating: ★★★★

Really loved this story. Emmett, the local small town vet who is overworked and overwhelmed. Kai, the sassy, snarky guy who shows up in town with absolutely nothing. His pride (the kind that won't let him accept help) was starting to drive me nuts but thankfully Emmett finally caught on. Loved the characters, loved the setting and loved the story. It was a bit of a slow burn but that just made it all the hotter when they finally did get together. Great read!!

[*book:Unguarded|56758557]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Lisa wrote: "This arrived this morning. Hoping to fit it into a category in the near future.
"

I need to read another Poe book sometime. Its been a while :) Hope you can fit it in soon!

[Lisa]

Completion Post
Task 4 - 750 pages tagged children

All Kidding Aside
264 pages
Date read: 9/28/21
5 stars
What a perfect book. I loved it! Usually books with kids can go either way. Really cute kids or PITAs. The kids in this book, especially Gus was just adorable. Set in a pack which is a bit like an orphanage for shifters, Victor and Riggs meet and are chosen by Gus.
A really fun book .
Tagged: childrens x7 on MPG.
Also #343 on Gay books dealing with children.

[*book:All Kidding Aside|54622491]

[Donna]

Lisa wrote: "Completion Post
Task 4 - 750 pages tagged children

All Kidding Aside
264 pages
Date read: 9/28/21
5 stars
What a perfect book. I loved it! Usually books with kids can go either way..."

I don't think I have ever read a Macy Blake book that I haven't loved!

[Donna]

My headache appears to be slacking off, so everyone keep your fingers crossed that I get my book finished before it comes back... there is NO rhyme or reason to the torture that has been my sinus pressure headaches this year... grrr

There, I feel so much better after my rant! *snort* LOL!!!

[Donna]

Task 4 - COMPLETION POST
#16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children.


The Virgin Manny by Amy Lane
Tagged: Childrens x11 on MPG.
179 pgs/GR Finished: 9/28 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
Plans are what you make when you are starting your life. Life is what happens when you’re making your plans.

I found this low-key story to be refreshing... I needed a happy read and this one did the trick!

[*book:The Virgin Manny|33397130]