TART Challenge - Round 5 - Easier Said Than Run (3)

[Gustaf]

So here's what we got:
1. Same author - Aimee Nicole Walker
9. Same series - Vino & Veritas
19. Same year prior to 2018 - 2017
29. Same profession - Law enforcement
33. Same sub-genre - MM romance
49. Same mont and year - April 2022
50. Same location - New York
51. Same author, different book - Marshall Thornton
52. Cover color - Grey
54. Beach or mountains - Beach
55. Country - UK
56. List with over 100 romance books - Best MM with an actual story
70. Same sub-genre, different authors - MM
73. Same author - K.C. Wells
75. Start letter - S
76. Same cover item - Gun
79. Same trope - Friends to lovers
82. Different books in the same series - Magic Emporium (need to double check if we can use non numbered series)
88. Vehicle on cover - Car
90. Seq. Months - Feb - June
92. Time period - Past
93. List with less than 100 books - Best MM New series of 2021
94. Seq. Years - 2017 - 2022
95. Animal on cover - Dog
96. Sun or Moon - Moon

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I really like the team name - and I feel it daily! 😂

And I have a feeling this team is going to be hard on my TBR

[AnnMarie]

MountainKat wrote: "And I have a feeling this team is going to be hard on my TBR"

I will do my best lol

[Gustaf]

0. Read a book with either blue or yellow on the cover, teams decide which. No pass for this task.

I am sure we are all aware of the nightmare taking place in Ukraine over the past month and a half. To honor the Ukrainians’ strength and sorrow, the first task is to read a book with a color from the Ukrainian flag. Teams decide which color, blue or yellow. The selected book need to be primarily the selected color. No pass for this task

[Gustaf]

So we have obviously not decided about this one, but I have a blue book that I need to read, so my vote is for blue.

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Blue is fine with me

[Gustaf]

Tracking Post - Task 1: 0. Read a book with either blue or yellow on the cover

Liz:
Completion Post

Gustaf:
Completion Post

AnnMarie:
Completion Post

Starstruck:
Completion Post

Emeli:
Completion Post

[AnnMarie]

Blue works

[Gustaf]

Awesome! :)

[AnnMarie]

If anyone is stuck: M/M Romance With (Mostly) Blue Covers

[Starstruck]

I thought I had a lot of books with blue covers.

I was wrong, I actually have a lot of books with teal, grey, indigo/black, and violet covers 😂

[Liz (Hiatus)]

But indigo is dark blue

[Liz (Hiatus)]

so I'm reading

[Starstruck]

Liz wrote: "But indigo is dark blue"

I have a few books like where it's difficult to tell deep indigo and black apart.

I'd rather go for an obviously blue cover to be on the safe side 😊

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Starstruck wrote: "Liz wrote: "But indigo is dark blue"

I have a few books like where it's difficult to tell deep indigo and black apart.

I'd rather go for an obviously blue cover to be o..."

i think it is more black than blue if you still looking for a book Endless Stretch of Blue is a great book

[Starstruck]

Task 1 #0 Read a book with either blue or yellow on the cover, teams decide which.

Three Nick Nowak Mysteries by Marshall Thornton
212p GR
How it qualifies:
Read 13/04/22 5*

CW: racism, sexism, homophobia, violence; also this is gay fiction not a MM romance.
This is one of the few books I've ever up-rated on a reread, I'm far more likely to find flaws the second time. Nick is a compelling POV character with a distinctive voice reminiscent of the hard-boiled PI found in pulp fiction. The mysteries are interesting but what sets the series apart is the wonderfully realised sense of place and time.

[Starstruck]

Liz wrote: "Starstruck wrote: "Liz wrote: "But indigo is dark blue"

I have a few books like where it's difficult to tell deep indigo and black apart.

I'd rather go for an obviously..."

Thank you, that's another one for my tbr!

[AnnMarie]

Starstruck wrote: "Liz wrote: "But indigo is dark blue"

I have a few books like where it's difficult to tell deep indigo and black apart.

I'd rather go for an obviously blue cover to be o..."

According to TinEye this cover's breakdown:

39.9 %#404473Violet
28.9 %#171825Black
11.9 %#e6e7e7Grey
8.7 %#5c0307Brown
7.8 %#e43d3aRed
1.3 %#ad41baViolet
0.4 %#712778Violet
0.4 %#f5807fPink
0.4 %#52349fViolet
0.3 %#72193dViolet

[Starstruck]

Thanks AnneMarie.

Luckily I found a book I wanted to read (Three Nick Nowak Mysteries) that should definitely be blue enough to pass muster.

I try to avoid TinEye if possible. The names it assigns to colours can confuse matters and the breakdown doesn't necessarily represent the colours we perceive when looking at an image.

[AnnMarie]

Task #1: Read a book with either blue or yellow on the cover, teams decide which.

Ghost of Lies by Alice Winters
415 pages (GR)
TinEye:
55.1% #111d39 ~ blue
15.9% #6792ba ~ blue
10.5% #9aa8b1 ~grey
9.4% #1e53a6 ~ blue
6.4% #4e4241 ~ grey
2.6% #c09442 ~ brown
Date Completed: 1/13
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review: I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It had a bit of snark but no where near as much as some of the author's other books, which was unexpected but not in a bad way. The mystery was solid and although the way Hiro's ability was so easily accepted by the police is definitely unrealistic it was the only thing I can nitpick about the story. The narration was stellar, I can recommend the story and the audio if you enjoy those.

[AnnMarie]

Starstruck wrote: "Thanks AnneMarie.

Luckily I found a book I wanted to read (Three Nick Nowak Mysteries) that should definitely be blue enough to pass muster.

I try to avoid TinEye if possible. Th..."

I agree sometime TinEye makes me wonder, according to that site only has 1 color blue and no yellow at all.

[Emeli]

#1: Read a book with either blue or yellow on the cover, teams decide which

164 pages
Finished 13/4
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Task: 0. Read a book with either blue or yellow on the cover
Book/cover link Rack & Ruin by Charlie Cochet
Page numbers with source 336 pages/ GR
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary:
Date Completed: 14 April 2022
Rating: 5 ⭐

[Starstruck]

AnnMarie wrote: "Starstruck wrote: "Thanks AnneMarie.

Luckily I found a book I wanted to read (Three Nick Nowak Mysteries) that should definitely be blue enough to pass muster.

I try to avoid Tin..."

Yep, that's a brilliant example of the difference between TinEye's extraction algorithm and what we see. I'd say the sky and sea are blue even though they are made up of grays and greens as well as some blues.

[Gustaf]

Task 1 - 0: Read a book with either blue or yellow on the cover. Team decides which color
Color: Blue

Completion Post


The Man I Love to Hate by Kaley Quick
Page number: 250 / GR
How book fits: See cover
Date completed: April 14th 2022
Rating: 1 star

[Starstruck]

Gustaf, it's not like you to give a 1* rating. Dare I ask what was wrong with the book?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Emeli wrote: "#1: Read a book with either blue or yellow on the cover, teams decide which

164 pages
Finished 13/4
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (172) and repost. Thanks.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I explained a little about my love hate relationship with TinEye in the Q&A - I only use if if I have to and you are always free to ask me if you want.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Since I am not waiting for corrections, though I will be later in the challenge...

Here is your next task!

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.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Starstruck wrote: "Gustaf, it's not like you to give a 1* rating. Dare I ask what was wrong with the book?"

I was wondering the same thing.

[Gustaf]

Starstruck wrote: "Gustaf, it's not like you to give a 1* rating. Dare I ask what was wrong with the book?"

It was just horrible. Lots of spelling and grammar errors, the plot felt messy and silly and a there's this whole second chance romance thing going on but it got explained in the first pages and then totally glossed over.

[Starstruck]

MountainKat wrote: "I explained a little about my love hate relationship with TinEye in the Q&A - I only use if if I have to and you are always free to ask me if you want."

Thanks!

I will definitely ask whenever I'm unsure.

[Gustaf]

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

Liz:
Completion Post

Gustaf:
Completion Post

AnnMarie:
Completion Post

Starstruck:
Completion Post

Emeli:
Completion Post

[Starstruck]

I like this task, it gives me an excuse to read The Forgotten Dead ☺️

[Emeli]

#1: Read a book with either blue or yellow on the cover, teams decide which

172 pages
Finished 13/4
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[AnnMarie]

MountainKat wrote: "I explained a little about my love hate relationship with TinEye in the Q&A - I only use if if I have to and you are always free to ask me if you want."

I usually agree but I checked the Cerulean cover for a different challenge and the results floored me lol

[AnnMarie]

Task #2 : Each player reads the first book in a series

Danger Zone by Brooke Blaine & Ella Frank
222 pages (GR)
Book 1 in The Elite series
Date Completed: 4/14
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Review: So this was a disappointment. These 2 guys were reckless & irresponsible not only while flying but also on public roads on their motorcycles, annoyingly so. Also CLIFFHANGER which I hate. I own the other 2 in the series in audio and this was a quick listen so I am sure I will make use of them to fit a challenge at some point. I wasn't quite at hate listening level but it was close.

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Task:2. Each player reads the first book in a series,

Book/cover link Ambrosius by Taylor Rylan
Page numbers with source 294 pages/ GR
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: first in the series
Date Completed: 15 April 2022
Rating: 4 ⭐

[Gustaf]

I’m travelling to Copenhagen today so if anyone else can post when We are finished, that would be great.

[AnnMarie]

Gustaf wrote: "I’m travelling to Copenhagen today so if anyone else can post when We are finished, that would be great."

Of course. I thought whoever is the last to finish posted for a new category anyway, right?

[Starstruck]

Task 2 - #2 Each player reads the first book in a series

The Forgotten Dead by Jordan L. Hawk
178p GR
How it qualifies: Outfoxing the Paranormal #1
Read 15/04/22 4.5*
A great start to a new series. A paranormal researcher in need of funding agrees to team up with ghost hunters to investigate a house that may be haunted. The story was nicely creepy with a real sense of dread at points. The romance was very sweet, I liked that one of the MCs being trans was just another aspect to his characterisation. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Starstruck]

Gustaf wrote: "Starstruck wrote: "Gustaf, it's not like you to give a 1* rating. Dare I ask what was wrong with the book?"

It was just horrible. Lots of spelling and grammar errors, the plot felt messy and silly..."

Oh, definitely one to avoid.

[Emeli]

Task 2 - #2 Each player reads the first book in a series

(Murder in the Mix #1)
222 pages
Finished 15/4
⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Starstruck]

Emeli, I think you need to add a page count.

[AnnMarie]

Gustaf wrote: "I’m travelling to Copenhagen today so if anyone else can post when We are finished, that would be great."

Did you mean to post a completion post?

[Gustaf]

I was hoping I would be able to post a completion post, but I accidently left my laptop at home. So I’ll post it when I get home in about 6 hours

[Starstruck]

Gustaf wrote: "I was hoping I would be able to post a completion post, but I accidently left my laptop at home. So I’ll post it when I get home in about 6 hours"

Oh, that's frustrating.

If it helps in the future I'd be happy to create a completion post with broken links that you could cut and past into your own post. I'd just need the name of the book and your rating.

[Gustaf]

Completion Post
Task 2 - Each player reads the first book in a series


A Walk Through Fire by Felice Stevens
Pages: 239 /GR first kindle edition
How book fits: First in the Through Hell and Back series.
Date completed: April 17th
Rating: 2 stars

[Gustaf]

All posted, sorry for the delay folks.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 3 - 5. Read 4 5 books first published within the last year.

To qualify for this task, the selected books need to have been initially published on or after April 17, 2021. If there is a date listed at the top of the editions page use it. Otherwise I will be looking for the earliest dated English language edition regardless of format as the qualification. Please include the initial publication date of your selected book in your completion post.