TART Challenge - Round 6 - Loitering Layabouts (1)

[Shannon]

I have the touch, plus I needed something to choose!

[Shannon]

Task 3 Completion Post
Task 3 - 12. Read a book recommended to you by a teammate


Balanced and Tied by Mary Calmes
Pages: 275
Qualification: Recommended by Lisa
Read: 9/18/22
Rating: ★★★★

I'm guessing both of these characters were mentioned in previous books but I didn't remember them at all. Also, the one MC's name is Cel and I didn't know if it was Sel or Kel and they did talk about at one time but I still went back and forth in my mind which was annoying! I loved how these two were bff's but I didn't love how long it took for them to get together...maybe 70%. Another winner from Mary Calmes, I love this series!!

[*book:Balanced and Tied|61999018]

[Donna]

Shannon wrote: "Task 3 Completion Post
Task 3 - 12. Read a book recommended to you by a teammate


Balanced and Tied by Mary Calmes
Pages: 275
Qualification: R..."

It was weird to find out that I had been reading his name wrong from the beginning... 🤦‍♀️

[Donna]

Shannon wrote: "I have the touch, plus I needed something to choose!"

But you had your book after Lisa posted... Jane and I should have been able to use our time for reading, not posting book recs that no one was going to read, right? 🤣🤣🤣

[Lisa]

Task 3 - CompletionPost
Teammate rec
Your Biggest FAN
160 pages
Rec by Shannon. Shannon rec post
date read: 9/20/22
4 stars

I am not a fan of men in lingerie at all but I was able to overlook that aspect and just focus on Stasi and Truman. Truman was in the closet for most of the book and his coming out was sweet.
They make a sweet couple.

[Shannon]

Donna wrote: "It was weird to find out that I had been reading his name wrong from the beginning... 🤦‍♀️


Which was the right way? With an "S" or "K" sound?

[Lisa]

I thought he said it depended on whether it was his whole name or Sel/Kel.
I thought the shortened version was Sel but it might be the other was round

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 3 - COMPLETION
12. Read a book recommended to you by a teammate

Taken by Susi Hawke
Pages: 154
Qualifies: Rec'd by Shannon
Read: 20 September
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This started off with promise, but really didn't develop enough for me as a story. I was looking for more action and involvement in the cases. And the MCs' dynamics, whilst laudable, didn't gel for me.

Narrated by Colin Darcy. New to me. 4 stars.


[*book:Taken|40044436]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Team Completion
12. Read a book recommended to you by a teammate

Donna - msg 99
Shannon - msg 102
Lisa - msg 105
Jane - msg 108

[Donna]

Lisa wrote: "I thought he said it depended on whether it was his whole name or Sel/Kel.
I thought the shortened version was Sel but it might be the other was round"

I don't remember, so now I have to go back and check or it will drive me bonkers... 🤦‍♀️

BTW: There are 4 COMPETITVE teams again this round... we just can't catch a break... 😭😭😭

OK...
His name is Celso with a hard K sound.
So he spells his shortened name Cel because that is how his name is spelled and it reflects the hard K sound instead of the C sound just like his full name. Totally makes sense! *headdesk* 🤣

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Donna wrote: "BTW: There are 4 COMPETITVE teams again this round... we just can't catch a break... 😭😭😭"

I think there are 5... 😊

I will be trying to get the overall tracking updated soon so it will be easier to tell.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 4 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task.

You can use any edition’s cover to qualify for this task, but remember to use the first edition Kindle page count. Please include the qualifying cover in your completion posts.

[Lisa]

Task 4 - selection post
Night sky on cover


166 pages

[Donna]

Task 4 - SELECTION POST:
21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover.


Qualifies: Buildings all have lights shining bright!
Ghost of Deceit by Alice Winters
300 pgs/GR

[ book:Ghost of Deceit|61818947]

[Donna]

Donna wrote: "Task 4 - SELECTION POST:
21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover.


Qualifies: Buildings all have lights shining bright!
[book:Ghost of Dece..."

13% in and I am bawling my eyes out... yep, this is going to be a good read! 🥰

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 4 - Selection
21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover

The Darkling Thrush by Josh Lanyon
Pages: 217
Qualifies: stars and bats in the top left corner


[*book:The Darkling Thrush|18078447]
**checking qualifies

[Donna]

Task 4 - COMPLETION POST:
21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover.


Qualifies: Buildings all have lights shining bright!
Ghost of Deceit by Alice Winters
300 pgs/GR
Finished: 9/21/22
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
What can I say... this was exactly what I needed to read today (and yesterday) to get me over the blahs that had set in!

The humor was on point (sometimes I find it to be OTT) and the mystery was going off on several tangents to see if we could be distracted... WE couldn't! 🤣🤣🤣

As entertaining as this story was... the cover is just perfect! I will admit to a few moments of oggling before I started reading... *sigh*

[ book:Ghost of Deceit|61818947]

[Shannon]

Task 4 Completion Post
Task 4 - 21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover.


Elusive Relations by Nicky James
Pages: 427
Qualification: Kat approved the cover
Read: 9/21/22
Rating: ★★★★

I really enjoyed the first book in the series but think I liked this one even more. I didn't guess the mystery in this one until the very end which I love. There were a ton of twists and turns in this case and the relationship development was right on point. Can't wait for the next one. I'm all in with this series.

[*book:Elusive Relations|61148637]

[Lisa]

Task 4 - completion post
Night sky on cover


166 pages
Date read: 9/22/22
4 stars

A tale of a man trying to come to terms with his past and trying to move on to be with the man he loves.
A true enemies to lovers tale. Gray is protective of his brother and is finding it hard to move on from his father's abuse to start a meaningful relationship with Blondie.
I enjoyed this story, a quick read.

[Lisa]

I dont know whats going on. I have posted my review but when I click into another page it vanishes.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Lisa wrote: "I dont know whats going on. I have posted my review but when I click into another page it vanishes."

I can see it Lisa - so it either resolved itself or its something at your end (computer or UK server).

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 4 - COMPLETION
21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover

The Darkling Thrush by Josh Lanyon
Pages: 217
Qualifies: stars and bats in the top left corner

Read: 22 September
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I enjoyed the light paranormal aspect and 'magik' but the story is a bit complex in its detail. And the MCs hate to love relationship rolls out over a couple of days which is stretching believability for even the most romantic reader. The conclusion is great though, and JL takes us on MC Colin's journey for truth very effectively.

[*book:The Darkling Thrush|18078447]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Team Completion - Task 4
21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover

Donna - msg 117
Shannon - msg 118
Lisa - msg 119
Jane - msg 122

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Two more travel days and I'll be home! Had a great holiday up north :)

[Donna]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Two more travel days and I'll be home! Had a great holiday up north :)"

So glad you are having a great time! My sister and I will be heading somewhere quiet for Thanksgiving and HB and I will be heading south to see the grandbabies in December... but for now, I am at home tending my garden and filling up the cellar room for this winter... and reading, of course!!!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Glad whatever the issue was seems to have resolved!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 5 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task.

To qualify for this task, the selected books need to be written by a new to you author. You may have other books by the selected author on your shelves, but only the book selected for this task can be marked as read/rated. Include a link to your read shelf in your completion post, ideally sorted to your selected author. Please make sure the book you read for this task is on your shelves and marked as read. If your profile is private, you will either need to open if for the duration of this task or friend me so I can confirm your book. If I cannot confirm your book, the task is not completed.

[Shannon]

Task 5 Selection Post
3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author.


The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara
Pages: 252
Qualification: New Author Shannon's Shelf

[*book:The Wolf at the Door|36480253]

[Lisa]

Task 5 - selection post
Nty author

His Alpha's Alpha
186 pages
lisas shelf
Charlie Knotts

[Donna]

Task 5 Selection Post
3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author.

Qualifies: Donna's List of Ariel Millar books.

Cold Hard Ground by Ariel Millar
240 pgs/GR

[ book:Cold Hard Ground|57460202]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 5 - Selection
3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author

The Alpha's Warlock by Eliot Grayson
Pages: 172
Qualifies: Jane's Eliot Grayson book list

[*book:The Alpha's Warlock|51940349]

[Donna]

Task 5: COMPLETION POST
3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author.

Qualifies: Donna's List of Ariel Millar books.

Cold Hard Ground by Ariel Millar
240 pgs/GR
Finished: 9/23/22
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
Excellent story with slow but precise world-building. Everything unfolded in a manner that we felt like we were there seeing the pain and suffering that Misha and Kor were going through, but also the resolve to survive.

There were moments that I wanted to scream "NOOOOO!" and others that I wanted to just be over with and let the story move on. I think this is going to be a very interesting series and I look forward to seeing how the movement progresses and of course, to see what kind of trouble Orion and Zane are going to find themselves trying to survive in Beast of Burden...

[ book:Cold Hard Ground|57460202]

[Shannon]

Task 5 Completion Post
3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author.


The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara
Pages: 252
Qualification: New Author Shannon's Shelf
Read: 9/23/22
Rating: ★★★★

Great pick for me! Loved the writing style, the characters and the mystery of it all. Started out with a whole lot of distrust but turned over time. Great partnership with a mystery then kept me guessing with all the twists and turns. Very enjoyable. Will definitely continue with the series and this author.

[*book:The Wolf at the Door|36480253]

[Donna]

Shannon wrote: "Task 5 Completion Post
3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author.


The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara
Pages: 252
Qualification..."

One of my fav authors! So glad you loved it!

[Lisa]

Task 5 - completion post
Nty author

His Alpha's Alpha
186 pages
lisas shelf
Charlie Knotts
date read: 9/24/22
3 stars

Its been a long time since I read menage and I thought this one, with the third, taking it in his stride that his mate was drawn to an omega. Said Omega goes into heat and moves in with the couple for a few days.
Within those days, these three men decide that they want to be mates and the omega gets pregnant.
A fair bit of sex in this book, that I feel now I am at a stage where I would rather have more story and off the page sex.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 5 - COMPLETION
3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author

The Alpha's Warlock by Eliot Grayson
Pages: 172
Qualifies: Jane's Eliot Grayson book list
Read: 24 September
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
I enjoyed this - told from MC Nate's POV, it follows Nate (warlock) through a kidnapping and attempted forced-mating. He escapes to old acquaintances/childhood 'friends' who happen to be a wolf pack...

I found MC Nate a tad melodramatic, and MC Ian (werewolf) taciturn but one who could turn abruptly into a different person when Nate was involved. Inconsistently consistent?

The wrap up is fairly extended which was good, but didn't provide some of the detail I was looking for ~ so book 2 will no doubt line up :) I'm thinking that the author's writing might get a bit tighter and succinct as the series continues.

Narrated by Chris Chambers - very good.

[*book:The Alpha's Warlock|51940349]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 5 - Team COMPLETION
3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author

Donna - msg 132
Shannon - msg 133
Lisa - msg 135
Jane - msg 136

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I'll post in the Q&A once I finish my book :)

***
Done

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 6 - 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. Tags like ‘childrens’ or other tags that indicate the book is for children and opposed to with children are not allowed for this task.. 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!

[Donna]

MountainKat wrote: "Here is your next task!

Task 6 - 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 o..."

Ohhhh, BABIES!!!

187+ pages... each?

[Lisa]

Task 6 - selection post
A book tagged children

Wolfmanny
240 pages
tagged kids x4

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 6 - Selection
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children

Preacher, Prophet, Beast
Pages: 200
Qualifies: tagged 'kids' x5
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Also in precis - 'ordinary life with his husband and his little girl'

[*book:Preacher, Prophet, Beast|34470321]

[Donna]

Task 6: SELECTION POST
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children.
Qualifies: 1st Row: preg-kids x1


Baby and the Wolf by Victoria Sue
240 pgs/GR

[ book:Baby and the Wolf|58268324]

[Shannon]

Task 6 Selection Post
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children.


You & Me by Tal Bauer
Pages: 382
Qualification: Tagged Kids 17x Left Column, 2nd to Last

You & Me

[Donna]

Task 6: COMPLETION POST
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children.
Qualifies: 1st Row: preg-kids x1
This book is overflowing with kids... I mean, really! *grin*


Baby and the Wolf by Victoria Sue
240 pgs/GR
Finished: 9/25/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
Rarely do I give a shifter book 5-stars because they are short, cookie-cutter stories... but, NOT this one!

Let me start by saying that CALVIN stole the show and everyone else just filled up the pages to make a heartwarming and entertaining story! There was world-building that flowed effortlessly in the background, thank you Ms. Sue for that. Even though I wasn't sure about the characters for the first 25% or so of the story, they just seemed to magically start to explode onto the page when you least expected it. Nice... *grin*

Ryker and Emmett had a lot of personal discoveries to make and battles to fight before they could have their HEA. But come hell or high water, they were determined to share the birth of their child together... surrounded by just a few more family members and friends than most would expect or be comfortable with... Welcome to the Blue Ridge Pack!!!

Now, if all goes well, I will be jumping right into Baby and the Panther! 🤞

[ book:Baby and the Wolf|58268324]

[Shannon]

Task 6 Completion Post
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children.


You & Me by Tal Bauer
Pages: 382
Qualification: Tagged Kids 17x Left Column, 2nd to Last
Read: 9/25/22
Rating: ★★★★★

This was just the greatest book. Tal's writing always really make me feel things. Luke is just desperate to connect with his teenage son and you can feel his pain. It's so freaking sad! Landon is a dad helping with their sons' football booster club and gets Luke to volunteer as well. This is just a beautiful, painful, hopeful book full of love, acceptance and family. LOVED IT!!

[*book:You & Me|60695252]

[Lisa]

Task 6 - completion post
A book tagged children

Wolfmanny
240 pages
Date read: 9/25/22
4 stars
tagged kids x4

I really enjoyed this. Lots of kids and they were cute and funny. I actually liked the kids more than the relationship between the adults.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 6 - COMPLETION
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children

Preacher, Prophet, Beast
Pages: 200
Qualifies: tagged 'kids' x5
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Also in precis - 'ordinary life with his husband and his little girl'
Read: 25 September
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Goodness - my recommendation is to read the earlier books prior to this one if its been awhile. THIS is what I should have done. Whilst I knew all the characters, this story brings all the earlier stories back into focus at various points throughout leaving me trying to recall details as we move along.

I really enjoyed the story, full of ancient mystic and wonderful personalities, but it would have definitely be improved if I had undertaken a reread :)

Narrated by Tim Gilbert - wonderful.

[*book:Preacher, Prophet, Beast|34470321]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 6 - Team Completion
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children

Donna - msg 145
Shannon - msg 146
Lisa - msg 147
Jane - msg 148

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 7 - 32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.

You can find the number of ratings on the main book page under the title. Remember you are looking for ratings, not reviews. Please include the number of ratings as your qualifier in your completion posts.