TART Challenge - Round 6 - Loitering Layabouts (1)

[Lisa]

Task 7 - selection post
Better Than Good
200 pages
3948 ratings

[Donna]

Task 7: SELECTION POST
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.

Book #1:

The Alpha's Warlock by Eliot Grayson
172 pgs/GR
Qualifies: 5188 Ratings per MPG

[ book:The Alpha's Warlock|51940349]

Book #2:

Captive Mate by Eliot Grayson
207 pgs/GR
Qualifies: 2542 Ratings per MPG

[ book:Captive Mate|55129651]

[Shannon]

Task 7 Selection Post
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.


Without You by Marley Valentine
Pages: 358
Qualification: 5472 Ratings

[*book:Without You|48642911]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

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

Charlie Sunshine by Lily Morton
252 pgs/GR
Qualifies: 2,987 ratings

[*book:Charlie Sunshine|53240451]

[Shannon]

I am playing possibly the most difficult to understand challenge I've ever been a part of and it's making me feel incredibly stupid. Have you guys played the "My Restaurant Rocks" challenge in the Nothing But Reading Challenges group?

ps. That's why all my books are so freaking long! They have to be 300+ pages to even really count.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Shannon wrote: "I am playing possibly the most difficult to understand challenge I've ever been a part of and it's making me feel incredibly stupid. Have you guys played the "My Restaurant Rocks" challenge in the ..."

Sorry - not a member of that group. And books over 300pp often give me hives... 😜

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

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

Charlie Sunshine by Lily Morton
252 pgs/GR
Qualifies: 2,987 ratings
Read: 27 September
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
So wonderful - loved the two characters and their idiosyncrasies and flaws; their banter; their stupidity. I absolutely cracked up during book club. Just so much fun.

Beautifully narrated by Joel Leslie - 5 stars.

[*book:Charlie Sunshine|53240451]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

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

Featherbed by Annabeth Albert
186 pgs/GR
Qualifies: 2,965 ratings

[*book:Featherbed|56340297]

[Donna]

Sorry, guys! Migraine took me out yesterday, so I am only at 51% on my first book, but doing fine this morning and should have both books read by later this evening... sorry for the delay!

My body is an extremely UNDERPAID meteorologist...

Knees explode if it is going to rain...
Head explodes if a big storm is coming...
Yeah, it is so much fun to be me sometimes... grrr

[Donna]

Task 7: COMPLETION POST
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.


The Alpha's Warlock by Eliot Grayson
172 pgs/GR
Qualifies: 5188 Ratings per MPG
Finished: 9/27/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
Well, now that I have a moment to catch my breath (the action never seemed to stop) I can say that this is going to be an entertaining series, and I quite like this author's writing style!

Where shall I start? How about that SNARK? Yep, it runs through this story from many fronts and works VERY well for me! Now, I will say that I found it absolutely amazing that even with a "mating bond" Ian and Nate still managed to have frequent moments of miscommunication... imagine that! But, have no fear! Hidden behind all of those "gross" battle scenes and on and off snarking, there is LOVE! Yes, it was faint and hard to see, but if you knew where to look it was there. I will admit it took these two FOREVER to look in the right place though! 🤦‍♀️

The story did end with one little thread dangling, and it would appear that is where book #2, Captive Mate picks up from, so that is where I am headed now!

[ book:The Alpha's Warlock|51940349]

[Shannon]

Donna wrote: "Sorry, guys! Migraine took me out yesterday, so I am only at 51% on my first book, but doing fine this morning and should have both books read by later this evening... sorry for the delay!

My bod..."

Well that sucks!! I'm almost done with my first book and have nothing going on today so could probably read a second.

[Donna]

Shannon wrote: "Donna wrote: "Sorry, guys! Migraine took me out yesterday, so I am only at 51% on my first book, but doing fine this morning and should have both books read by later this evening... sorry for the d..."

Thanks so much, but I am fine laying here in bed and reading. About 1/4 of the way through my second book and my head isn't giving me any problems... meds are a wonderful thing!

I am wishing Ian would just behave and head back out to sea... grrr

[Shannon]

Task 7 Completion Post
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.


Without You by Marley Valentine
Pages: 358
Qualification: 5472 Ratings
Read: 9/27/22
Rating: ★★★★

How anyone can read this book and feel nothing is my hero. I felt all the things and went through a whole lot of tissues. Loved how their connection grew and what they felt for each other was only for them, no one else. Really disliked Mom and loved Sister. This was a bit of a tough one to get through for me because of all the feels but totally worth it.

[*book:Without You|48642911]

[Shannon]

Task 7 Selection Post
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.


Hostile by Nicole Dykes
Pages: 299
Qualification: 3568 Ratings

[*book:Hostile|60167858]

[Donna]

Task 7: COMPLETION POST
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.


Captive Mate by Eliot Grayson
207 pgs/GR
Qualifies: 2542 Ratings per MPG
Finished: 9/27/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
I missed the snark! This was still extremely entertaining, but Arik and Matthew's dynamics were very different than Nate and Ian... so, less snark! 😭

I am always up for a "bad guy gone good" story and this one kinda fell into that category! Arik's past was so heartbreaking, as Nate's had been, and doing what he needed to and survive was at the top of his list of things to do. Did he always make the "best" choices? No, but he made the best choices from what he had to work with. Matthew was just another "job" he was forced to take part in and even though he didn't know it at the time, it would change his life forever... EVENTUALLY! 🤦‍♀️

Not sure when I will find time to read The Alpha Experiment, the 3rd book in this series, but I look forward to seeing where this author goes next!

[ book:Captive Mate|55129651]

[Lisa]

Task 7 - completion post
Better Than Good
200 pages
3948 ratings
date read: 9/28/22
4 stars

Matt has always thought himself straight until he meets Aaron in a club on a night out with his friends. Now he thinks he might be bi.
I liked Matt and Aaron together. I thought that Matt got into the gay quite quickly but he thought Aaron was the one for him and so was all in.
Low angst and of course a HEA.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

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

Featherbed by Annabeth Albert
186 pgs/GR
Qualifies: 2,965 ratings
Read: 28 September
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:
I loved this rural/small town setting and the two diverse MCs. Each MC has issues ~ trust v anxiety. Through their burgeoning relationship, they help each other, healing each other. It super sweet and a very easy read.

Narrated by Alexander Cendese & Kirt Graves - excellent.

[*book:Featherbed|56340297]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

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

Jane - msg 157
Donna - msg 160
Shannon - msg 163
Donna - msg 165
Lisa - msg 166
Jane - msg 167

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 8 - 37. Read 6 books set in the US.

Books selected for this task need to be set in the US. You can use the book details on the main page, title, precis, tags or lists as your qualification. Remember to let me know how you know your books qualify, I need to know where to look to confirm you books! Please include any necessary links and information in your completion posts.

[Donna]

Task 8 - SELECTION POST
37. Read 6 books set in the US.

Book #1:

True Knight by Patricia Logan
164 pgs/GR
Qualifies: (Prceis) - Prosper Woods, a small California town smack dab in the middle of the sequoia forest.

[ book:True Knight|57282457]

Book #2:

By the Light of the Moon by Gabrielle Evans
178 pgs/GR
Qualifies: Georgia, USA (MPG)

[ book:By the Light of the Moon|11022410]

[Lisa]

Task 8 - selection Post
Set in the US
The Poison Bottle
231 pages
Qualification : The case twists and turns across Seattle’s antique trade,

[Shannon]

Task 8 Selection Post (Book 2)
37. Read 6 Books set in US


The Jock Script by Lane Hayes
Pages: 250
Qualification: Setting "California"

[*book:The Jock Script|58572420]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 8 - Selection
37. Read 6 Books set in US

Sorcerers Always Satisfy
Pages: 284
Qualifies: tagged 'set in the usa' x1
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

[*book:Sorcerers Always Satisfy|57906420]

[Shannon]

I don't know WTH I was thinking but I started my book and realized I needed to read an earlier one and I was reading out of order. Uh, no ma'am! So I'm definitely reading 2. Will read #1 first then #3 seeing as I somehow read #2 a while ago. *facepalm*

[Shannon]

Task 8 Selection Post (Book 1)
37. Read 6 Books set in US


Following the Rules by Lane Hayes
Pages: 204
Qualification: Setting "California"

[*book:Following the Rules|57589040]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Shannon wrote: "I don't know WTH I was thinking but I started my book and realized I needed to read an earlier one and I was reading out of order. Uh, no ma'am! So I'm definitely reading 2. Will read #1 first then..."

Sounds familiar. Although it probably wouldn't matter a great deal with this series... Just rub your OCD the wrong way 😜

[Donna]

OMG... I still haven't started my books yet, what a freakin' wild day... 🤦‍♀️

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "OMG... I still haven't started my books yet, what a freakin' wild day... 🤦‍♀️"

You can use the book you had listed earlier if it has US in one of the tags... Doesn't need to be on the main page. Kat's post allows shelves, tags and lists.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "OMG... I still haven't started my books yet, what a freakin' wild day... 🤦‍♀️"

Hope all is OK Donna 🥰

[Donna]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "OMG... I still haven't started my books yet, what a freakin' wild day... 🤦‍♀️"

Hope all is OK Donna 🥰"

I'm fine, just nothing went the way I planned... grrr

[Shannon]

Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "OMG... I still haven't started my books yet, what a freakin' wild day... 🤦‍♀️"

Hope all is OK Donna 🥰"

I'm fine, just nothing went the way I planned... grrr"

Does anything ever go the way you planned? I'm not that freaking lucky!!

[Shannon]

Task 8 Completion Post (Book 1)
37. Read 6 Books set in US


Following the Rules by Lane Hayes
Pages: 204
Qualification: Setting "California"
Read: 9/28/22
Rating: ★★★★

These two were just delicious but Topher and his runaway babbling? Too funny! Lovely feel good read with plenty of banter, hot sexy times and hilarious friends. These books are going to be fun to read.

[*book:Following the Rules|57589040]

[Shannon]

And now I understand the "Jake" and Topher reference for the next book!!

[Shannon]

Task 8 Completion Post (Book 2)
37. Read 6 Books set in US


The Jock Script by Lane Hayes
Pages: 250
Qualification: Setting "California"
Read: 9/29/22
Rating: ★★★★

This was much more enjoyable after I finished the first book. These guys are just the cutest. So freaking awkward and a little weird. Asher is Mr. Perfect but a bit horny so he goes on an app and has a super hot hookup with Blake who he realizes is "Jake" a jock who hooked up with his friend Topher. Oh the guilt. Now he's not getting a "A" for the day! Super sweet story including an awesome mom, lacrosse and funny self reflection. Hope I can read another in the series soon!

[*book:The Jock Script|58572420]

[Donna]

Task 8 - COMPLETION POST
37. Read 6 books set in the US.

Book #1:

True Knight by Patricia Logan
164 pgs/GR
Finished: 9/28/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Qualifies: (Prceis) - Prosper Woods, a small California town smack dab in the middle of the sequoia forest.

Review:
As an introduction to a new series, this was strangely forthcoming about some things and strangely uninformative about others. But... it was interesting enough for me to continue! *grin*

Vampires... Werewolves... insta-love... this could work... 🤣

[ book:True Knight|57282457]

[Donna]

Task 8 - COMPLETION POST
37. Read 6 books set in the US.

Book #2:

By the Light of the Moon by Gabrielle Evans
178 pgs/GR
Finished: 9/29/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Qualifies: Georgia, USA (MPG)

Review:
Do you know what I forget in between reading these "little red" books? ALL THE DANG SEX... 🤦‍♀️🤣

Let's be honest, there is a time and a place for this much sex... maybe? But, I will admit that it distracts from the story and add in an idiot female character, which I rarely tolerate on a good day, and the star rating for me drops VERY quickly!

It helps when I can relate to the MCs, which wasn't exactly the case with this one, but I didn't hate it either, so I am going to call it a good read!

[ book:By the Light of the Moon|11022410]

[Lisa]

Task 8 - completion Post
Set in the US
The Poison Bottle
231 pages
Qualification : The case twists and turns across Seattle’s antique trade,
date read: 9/30/22
5 stars

I really love Landry and his friend Petey. It seems that everything comes to him, especially getting involved with murders.
Landry finds a body when he opens up his antiques store and it leads him on a mystery.
The secondary characters are great.
Its a shame that this seems to be the last book in the series as I would like to see more from these characters.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 8 - COMPLETION
37. Read 6 Books set in US

Sorcerers Always Satisfy
Pages: 284
Qualifies: tagged 'set in the usa' x1
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Read: 30 September
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
What a great end to this series. I loved the MCs' interactions and slow developing romance, despite MC Caolan's best intentions! The action was well-managed ~ not too much but enough to get the adrenaline raised.

And it segues neatly into the 'Here Be Dragons' series :)

Narrated by Joel Leslie - 5 stars of course.

[*book:Sorcerers Always Satisfy|57906420]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Team Completion - Task 8
37. Read 6 Books set in US

1. Shannon - msg 182
2. Shannon - msg 184
3. Donna - msg 185
4. Donna - msg 186
5. Lisa - msg 187
6. Jane - msg 188

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Ready to post in the Q&A when you are finished Lisa :)

[Lisa]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Ready to post in the Q&A when you are finished Lisa :)"

Will be about an hour. Ill post when done.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 9 - 62. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books written by an author whose first or last name begins with the first letter of a teammate's screen name.

Books selected for this task need to be written by an author whose first or last name starts with the first letter of a teammate's screen name. Do not use your own screen name for this task. Please include the matching teammate's name in your completion posts. This is not a team decision. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.

[Lisa]

Ok, so we have l,j,d or s

[Donna]

Lisa wrote: "Ok, so we have l,j,d or s"
Can we use our own letter?

[Lisa]

Donna wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Ok, so we have l,j,d or s"
Can we use our own letter?"

No, sorry

[Lisa]

Task 9 - selection post
Author initial / teammates screen name

Exhale by Joel Abernathy
254 pages

Authors initial J = Teammate Jane

[Donna]

Task 9 - SELECTION POSTT
62. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books written by an author whose first or last name begins with the first letter of a teammate's screen name.
Letter Choice: Jane - Jenn Burke


House on Fire by Jenn Burke
275 pgs/GR

[ book:House on Fire|55764788]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Thanks heavens I'm good for something 🤣🤣🤣🤣😜

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 9 - Selection
62. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books written by an author whose first or last name begins with the first letter of a teammate's screen name.

Coddiwomple by SE Harmon
Pages: 248
Qualifies: S for Shannon = S E Harmon

[*book:Coddiwomple|57720934]

[Shannon]

Week 9 Selection Post
62. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books written by an author whose first or last name begins with the first letter of a teammate's screen name. L - Lisa


Leaning Into Touch by Lane Hayes
Pages: 270
Qualification: L (Lisa) Author

[*book:Leaning Into Touch|36357595]