TART Challenge - Round 5 - The Loitering Layabouts (Literally) (8)

[Lisa]

Task 28 Completion Post - Book 1
Fake It 'til You Make Out
202 pages
Shannon's favorite author
Date read: 6/5/22
4 stars

I really don't like MF sex in my MM books even if its just a little bit, but literally the opening paragraph was MF.
Aside from that, I did enjoy this book. I like gay for you or bi sexual awakenings and apart from the pointless angst, the story was pretty good.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Jane's Authors

Mary Calmes
Louisa Masters

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I'm confused - but hopefully this isn't a team decision and we don't need to pick two the listed authors and then read only those two authors.

It doesn't state that, so hopefully I was just looking for the worst when I read it!!! 😂

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I think I'm overthinking - I'll do what the rest of you are doing :)

[Donna]

Hmm, so Louisa Masters will be my second choice... I just don't have a clue which book to pick... *headdesk* ;p

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 28 - Selection
105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per teammate.) No pass for this task.

Hostile Takeover
Pages: 304
Qualifies: One of Donna's fav authors

[*book:Hostile Takeover|58229111]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I was going to read Code Blue but it wasn't already downloaded and Hostile Takeover was 🤷‍♀️ I need to read both for a challenge this month, so makes little difference.

Not sure if I'll go with CB for my second book or an Isla Olsen or SC Wynne! Will depend on my mood!!

(I bought my first Saxon James book for reading one day Shannon ;) It doesn't fit my current challenges, but it will get slotted in soon.)

[Donna]

Task 28 - COMPLETION POST

105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per teammate.) No pass for this task.

Book 1:
Shadow's Edge by S.C. Wynne
155 pgs/GR
Qualifies: Lisa's Favorite Author
Finished: 6/5/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
I want to start off by saying, I didn't dislike this! But, (you knew it was coming) it felt like something was missing. I think it was excitement. This book read quickly, but I never really felt emotionally invested in it. I think I liked the MCs, except for the fact that we didn't get all of the details that we needed. Like, I was 25% into the story before I found out that Thompson and William even knew each other. and what was up with the fact that Thompson is never referred to as Kimball (which is his first name)... not ONE single time, if you discount the mention of it in the blurb... grrr

There were a bunch of little things that felt skipped over or glossed over... I guess I felt like this author had a lot of missed opportunities. But, having said all of that, I still enjoyed the story and find myself compelled to read Shadow's Return...

[ book:Shadow's Edge|33956983]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Task 28 - COMPLETION POST

105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per t..."

This book has been on my radar for a while... Any good for SHunt points?

[Donna]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Task 28 - COMPLETION POST

105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two bo..."

Honestly, I have NO clue, but I will give it a check! I didn't even notice anything, but right now I am not surprised. I can't even recall what is on the list except for a couple of "location" items... grrr

[Donna]

Task 28 - SELECTION POST

105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per teammate.) No pass for this task.

Book 2:
I've Got This by Louisa Masters
195 pgs/GR
Qualifies: Jane's Favorite Author

[ book:I've Got This|46161008]

[Donna]

Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Task 28 - COMPLETION POST

105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by thos..."

I found around 47 item points... nothing on the cover and only 1 on themes. Might have a New to me author if you haven't read them before. You probably could add "police car" because Thompson drives his own vehicle, but it is for police work and I think Lisa said we could count that, but I wasn't sure, so I didn't add it! If there was fruit, I have no recall of it... *headdesk* LOL!!!

[Lisa]

Jane, you need to read 2 books by 2 different authors from the ones nominated by Shannon, Donna and myself

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Lisa wrote: "Jane, you need to read 2 books by 2 different authors from the ones nominated by Shannon, Donna and myself"

Yes - going with Lucy Lennox (Donna's author), and then need to pick an author that you or Shannon selected. Under control now...

[Donna]

Task 28 - COMPLETION POST

105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per teammate.) No pass for this task.

Book 2:
I've Got This by Louisa Masters
195 pgs/GR
Qualifies: Jane's Favorite Author
Finished: 6/6/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
This was light and fluffy... except for the whole "chopped up body" part at the beginning!

I was prepared for the light and fluffy, not so much the chopped-up body...

Both MCs worked well for me and I enjoyed the little "asides" that we got from them every now and then. Even though amusement parks and Broadway are not two things that I have a personal interest in, at no time did I feel out of my depth or bored with the interworkings of either aspect of the book! One might even say that I learned a thing or two! *grin*

Was this Hemingway? No, thank god, but it was extremely enjoyable and I loved watching Trav and Derek slowly come to learn to depend on each other. Yeah, there was nothing slow about them getting together, but the trust took a while to build, which was nice to see for a change!

I am looking forward to reading Follow My Lead! I found Dimi to be quite intriguing!

[ book:I've Got This|46161008]

[Shannon]

Task 28 Completion Post
105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors.


Code Blue by NR Walker
Pages: 442
Qualification: From Lisa's Fav List
Read: 6/5/22
Rating: ★★★★

I really, really enjoyed both this book and the first one. Yes, Jeremy was a whiny little bitch but he was relatively harmless. The stalker plot was just okay. It did add a bit to the story, plus why would Steve need to be with Jeremy all the time if there was no stalker? What I absolutely hated and took a star off for was the lack of the sex. Blowjobs, handjobs and frotting but that's it. These guys were so hot for each other but didn't want to give it a go? Oh hell no! Loved Steve's fellow bodyguards and the boys from the band. Not sure if there will be more in the series but I'll read them if they come.

[*book:Code Blue|60319680]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 28 - COMPLETION
105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per teammate.) No pass for this task.

Hostile Takeover
Pages: 304
Qualifies: One of Donna's fav authors
Read: 6 Jun
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I generally don't enjoy business "takeover"/development romances due to the forced sides right from the start, so I started this audio with a low expectation. But this story handled those opposite positions really well. It wasn't the blind hate from which the reader has to claw back to a point of attraction. The way LL manages this element deserves the full stars!

Narrated by Sean Crisden & Teddy Hamilton - excellent!

[*book:Hostile Takeover|58229111]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 28 - Selection Book 2
105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per teammate.) No pass for this task.

Learning to Feel by NR Walker
Pages: 290
Qualifies: One of Lisa's fav authors (book 1 was Donna's author)

[*book:Learning to Feel|25908759]

[Shannon]

Task 28 Selection Post
105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors.


Made Marian Shorts by Lucy Lennox
Pages: 179
Qualification: From Donna's Fav List.


[*book:Made Marian Shorts|40702171]

[Shannon]

Can you guys check my edition and make sure it works? It say originally published in 2017 but I don't see that edition anywhere.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Shannon wrote: "Can you guys check my edition and make sure it works? It say originally published in 2017 but I don't see that edition anywhere."

Looks fine Shannon - except that LL was Donna's fav, not mine :)

**Edit**
There are two K editions that have the same earliest date (none of the editions match the stated publication date at the top), so either one will work including the one you selected :)

[Lisa]

Task 28 Completion Post - Book 2

Ship Happens
159 pages
Donna's fav authors
Date read: 6/6/22
4 stars

2 gay singles go on a cruise looking for love. A cute story with some angst ( thought Upton was rather childish after Walsh left) but the inevitable HEA.
Only thing was I kept wondering how Upton got his Cuba visa when he was only told on the Sunday he was going on a cruise the next morning.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 28 - COMPLETION Book 2
105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per teammate.) No pass for this task.

Learning to Feel by NR Walker
Pages: 290
Qualifies: One of Lisa's fav authors (book 1 was Donna's author)
Read: 7 Jun
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
I still have issues with the book, but I enjoyed it more than I had on my first pass back in 2014. The start still makes limited sense in terms of timeline; everything happens too quickly to my mind. There's also a more telling that showing - again in the first quarter of the book. As the story progresses, the book frees up and flows better.

NRW always wraps up her stories very thoroughly, and it clearly shows in these earliest works :) [65 Hours also has an extended finish.]

Narrated by Nick J Russo - excellent.


[*book:Learning to Feel|25908759]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Completion Summary - Task 28
105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per teammate.) No pass for this task.

1. Lisa - msg 651
2. Donna - msg 658
3. Donna - msg 665
4. Shannon - msg 666
5. Jane - msg 667
6. Lisa - msg 672
7. Jane - msg 673
8. Shannon - to come :)

[Shannon]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Can you guys check my edition and make sure it works? It say originally published in 2017 but I don't see that edition anywhere."

Looks fine Shannon - except that LL was Donna's fa..."

Whoops!

[Shannon]

Task 28 Completion Post
105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors.


Made Marian Shorts by Lucy Lennox
Pages: 179
Qualification: From Donna's Fav List.
Read: 6/7/22
Rating: ★★★

These are fun little stories but nothing to really sink your teeth into. It was nice to get the stories of those side characters from the longer books.

[*book:Made Marian Shorts|40702171]

[Shannon]

Posted in Tracking!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your last task!

Last Task. Read books with a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. No pass for this task.

Since this is Round 5 of The Amazing Race Team Challenge, books selected for this last task need to have a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. Remember if there are multiple English language editions with the initial publication date or earliest Kindle publication date, you are free to use any of those edition’s page count.

Remember completion posts with errors or missing elements will not count towards your team total or the completion of this task. The task will be considered ‘completed’ when each team member has completed one book for this task, additional books will count towards a tie breaker if necessary. Help each other out by double checking posts are complete with the first edition Kindle page count!

There is no need to post a team completion in the Q&A thread, I will be checking all team threads at the conclusion of the challenge. 😊

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Task 28 - SELECTION POST

105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per te..."

Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (200). Thanks.

[Donna]

Task 28 - NEW COMPLETION POST

105. Each teammate lists two favorite authors. Select books written by the authors on two different teammate's list and read books by those authors. (Two books each per teammate.) No pass for this task.

Book 2:
I've Got This by Louisa Masters
200 pgs/GR
Qualifies: Jane's Favorite Author
Finished: 6/6/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
This was light and fluffy... except for the whole "chopped up body" part at the beginning!

I was prepared for the light and fluffy, not so much the chopped-up body...

Both MCs worked well for me and I enjoyed the little "asides" that we got from them every now and then. Even though amusement parks and Broadway are not two things that I have a personal interest in, at no time did I feel out of my depth or bored with the interworkings of either aspect of the book! One might even say that I learned a thing or two! *grin*

Was this Hemingway? No, thank god, but it was extremely enjoyable and I loved watching Trav and Derek slowly come to learn to depend on each other. Yeah, there was nothing slow about them getting together, but the trust took a while to build, which was nice to see for a change!

I am looking forward to reading Follow My Lead! I found Dimi to be quite intriguing!

[ book:I've Got This|50975560]

[Donna]

Last Task: SELECTION POST
Read books with a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. No pass for this task.

Truth and Consequences by Sarah Madison
256 pgs/GR 1st Kindle Edition

[ book:Truth and Consequences|26832984]

[Shannon]

Last Task Selection Post
Read books with a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. No pass for this task.


Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem by Saxon James
Pages: 275
Qualification: Pages 275

[*book:Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem|59541711]

[Lisa]

Last task - Selection Post
The Best Gift
153 pages
Qualifies: 5 in page count

[Lisa]

Last task - Completion Post
The Best Gift
153 pages
Qualifies: 5 in page count
Date read: 6/7/22
4 stars

A heartwarming christmas tale. A veteran is picked up by the local christmas tree farm owner. A friendship developes over the next 4 weeks. Great secondary characters.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Last Task Selection Post
Read books with a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. No pass for this task.

Play it by Ear by KM Neuhold
Pages: 254
Qualification: Pages 254

[*book:Play it by Ear|40675419]

[Shannon]

Last Task Completion Post
Read books with a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. No pass for this task.


Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem by Saxon James
Pages: 275
Qualification: Pages 275
Read: 6/7/22
Rating: ★★★★

I liked this one almost as much as the first. I had a feeling one of these books was going to be about Robbie and Brandon and I was not wrong. These two were so ridiculously clueless and it was super entertaining. Never had been with a man before but Robbie wanted to give a go. He kept asking if he could touch everyone's d*cks and that in itself was hilarious. This one was definitely a friends to lovers book with some great, fumbly smexing. Loving this series.

[*book:Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem|59541711]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Ok - so I have been at an Ag field day all day - I won't get more than my selected book read now.

And I know Lisa is out with her eye issues...

LOL - ain't no fierce competition here!!!

[Donna]

Last Task: COMPLETION POST
Read books with a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. No pass for this task.

Truth and Consequences by Sarah Madison
256 pgs/GR 1st Kindle Edition
Finished: 6/8/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
Can I just say that after all these years, I fear there won't be a next book in this series. I really would have liked to get another book or three... but, such is life.

While John and Lee had a huge learning curve with all the changes going on in their lives, the one thing you could be sure of was their love and need for each other! I guess if a series had to end there are worse places and ways to do it. But, I am still a tad bit disappointed. 😢

[ book:Truth and Consequences|26832984]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Last Task: COMPLETION POST
Read books with a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. No pass for this task.

Truth and Consequences by Sarah Madison
256 pgs/GR 1..."

I loved that series. Agree - its a shame it didn't continue. (I even actually read it ~ no audio!!)

[Donna]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Ok - so I have been at an Ag field day all day - I won't get more than my selected book read now.

And I know Lisa is out with her eye issues...

LOL - ain't no fierce competition here!!!"

I just posted my last COMPLETION POST... I too am done for this round! My Covid brain fog is taking its time moving on... grrr

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Ok - so I have been at an Ag field day all day - I won't get more than my selected book read now.

And I know Lisa is out with her eye issues...

LOL - ain't no fierce competition..."

Geez its hung around!! Any other symptoms still? or just the fogginess?

[Donna]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Ok - so I have been at an Ag field day all day - I won't get more than my selected book read now.

And I know Lisa is out with her eye issues...

LOL - ain't no fier..."

Just the whole "putting fridge things in the freezer" type of stuff and the need to nap several times a day... grrr

I have to drive on Friday, whether I am ready or not... so, I guess it will be a "mind over matter" type of situation! If I get sleepy while I am driving, I will just pull over and take a quick nap! 😴

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Ok - so I have been at an Ag field day all day - I won't get more than my selected book read now.

And I know Lisa is out with her eye issues...

L..."

Definitely! Hope you don't need to, but please pull over if you need to ❤️

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Last Task COMPLETION
Read books with a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. No pass for this task.

Play it by Ear by KM Neuhold
Pages: 254
Qualification: Pages 254
Read: 9 Jun
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
An easy read with two hearts that were always meant for each other. There's story remaining for this couple but it would be quickly resolved in one of the next books ~ the romance was completely tied up though, so don't worry! No cliffhangers here!

I enjoyed the insight into MC Dawson's disability. A couple things didn't make sense to me, but that could have been the narrator's interpretation - plus I have no experience of an adult who loses their hearing and how they manage the new condition, so who knows?

Narrated by Kenneth Obi - 4 stars. Too many high male voices for my liking, with both MCs have a higher voice to my ears... But still well narrated.

[*book:Play it by Ear|40675419]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

LOL - only took me forever!!

We have now officially completed this challenge :) Thanks teamies!!

[Shannon]

Another fun round!! Thanks guys. :)

[Donna]

Maybe, next round we can be back to our "demon reading" selves! As always, thank you for inviting me to read with you! I have had a blast! Sorry, you had to listen to me whine... *headdesk* ;p

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Maybe, next round we can be back to our "demon reading" selves! As always, thank you for inviting me to read with you! I have had a blast! Sorry, you had to listen to me whine... *headdesk* ;p"

Haha - so pleased to have you on the team Donna (you are an old hand now!). You are really upbeat and positive :)

[Sassafrass]

Congrats, LL(L)! Even when you aren't trying you are fierce!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

For the record:

🥇 First Place - Team 2: Have Book...Can Travel - 29 Tasks, 29 Books
🥈 Second Place - Team 7: Fast as Molasses - 29 Tasks, 20 Books
🥉 Third Place - Team 6: Spicy Sprinters - 29 Tasks, 14 Books
🏅 Fourth Place - Team 8: Loitering Layabouts (Literally) - 29 Tasks, 4 Books

Team 4: Radiant Rainbows - 24 Tasks

Team 3: Easier Said Than Run - 23 Tasks

TIED:

Team 5: SHAFT - 20 Tasks
Team 9: Chase the Rainbow - 20 Tasks
Team 11: Reading on Empty - 20 Tasks


TIED:

Team 10: Story Squad - 16 Tasks
Team 14: Snakes on a Plane - 16 Tasks



Team 13: Worst Pace Scenario - 13 Tasks

TIED:

Team 1: Rainbow Dash - 11 Tasks
Team 12: Insert Clever Team Name Here - 11 Tasks