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TART Challenge - Round 6 - Loitering Layabouts (1)
message 201:
by
Donna
(new)
Sep 30, 2022 08:27PM
I feel so unloved... 😭😭😭
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Task 9 - COMPLETION POST62. 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
Finished: 9/30/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
I can't say much without giving away a lot of spoilers, so all I will say is that ending! OMG, that ending...
Now, I just have to find the time to read Out of the Ashes just as soon as possible...
[ book:House on Fire|55764788]
Week 9 Completion Post62. 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
Read: 9/30/22
Rating: ★★★★
Not my favorite in the series but still very readable. Nothing overly dramatic just two guys who used to be sex buddies but not much else reconnecting and becoming so much more. This time around they decided to do things differently and helped each other through some tough times. Good read.
[*book:Leaning Into Touch|36357595]
Crikey, you guys are reading fast. I am only on chapter 3.
Task 9 - completion postAuthor initial / teammates screen name
Exhale by Joel Abernathy
254 pages
date read: 10/2/22
4 stars
Authors initial J = Teammate Jane
A journey into the lives of werewolves as well as wolf shifters.
When his wife is killed, Jack takes his daughter and moves to another city to begin a new life.
However, a little while after they arrive in their new home, the daughter is kidnapped and Jack learns of the existence of werewolves.
An enemies to lovers story with a sweet HEA and a look into the world of werewolves
I won’t finish ‘til tomorrow so no hurry 😆
I am still in bed with the flu, so reading is good at the moment. Ill be done soon. I guess this early in the race, you might as well take your time, no need to rush.
Result Jane. I chose my book for this challenge and then found its in paperback as well so can double for PtP.
Is it just me or are you finding as you read more MM, you are wishing for less or no sex in the books and would rather have a good story / mystery. I know I am. When I first started reading MM, the sex was exciting but no I am more than happy for off the page sex.
Lisa wrote: "Is it just me or are you finding as you read more MM, you are wishing for less or no sex in the books and would rather have a good story / mystery. I know I am. When I first started reading MM, the..."Totally! I'm all about the story now. I enjoy the smexing so long as it is just a smaller part of the story~ not the focus if that makes sense. I love it when authors write actual romance, which to me is a great story of two people meeting and falling love, whatever the circumstances. I don't need the sex to love a great romance.
Lisa wrote: "Result Jane. I chose my book for this challenge and then found its in paperback as well so can double for PtP."LOL - I matched up Bingo. As did Shannon :)
Lisa wrote: "I am still in bed with the flu, so reading is good at the moment. Ill be done soon. I guess this early in the race, you might as well take your time, no need to rush."Take your time and hope you feel better really soon. I haven't had the flu for a while, but the last time was a doosey. And that was after I took antivirals! Hate to think what it would be like if I hadn't caught it in time for medication...
Task 9 - COMPLETION62. 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
Read: 2 October
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
I enjoyed this but there were a couple of things that really should not happen (repeatedly) to adults. (view spoiler) And MC JJ's family should have realised exactly the pressure placed on his as a child and still as an adult -> blind Freddy could join the dots. That just made me dislike JJ's family for being SO self-centred.
So overall, a nice story but with some silly stuff that vaguely annoyed me.
Narrated by Nick Hudson - his halting, stop/start narrative was a little irritating, but he does give the characters good definition.
[*book:Coddiwomple|57720934]
Task 9 - Team COMPLETION62. 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.
Donna - msg 202 = 275pp
Shannon - msg 203 = 270pp
Lisa - msg 205 = 254pp
Jane - msg 213 = 248pp
Total page count = 1,047
Jane, if you are still up, can you add the page fount to the completion post.
Lisa wrote: "Jane, if you are still up, can you add the page fount to the completion post."Done. thx!
Here is your next task!Task 10 - 55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide country.
As a team select a country outside the US then read 6 books set in that country. Your book can qualify from the book details on the main page, title, precis, tags or lists. Remember to let me know how you know your books qualify, with links or any other necessary information. I need to know where to look to confirm your books!
Task 10 Selection PostBook set outside USA.
Team choose UK
Half Moon Chambers
176 pages
Setting: Newcastle, England
Task 10 - SELECTION POSTS55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country.
Team choice: UK
Book #1:
Qualifies: #176 on the Very British MM Goodreads list
Lessons in Desire by Charlie Cochrane
224 pgs/GR
[ book:Lessons in Desire|8991931]
Book #2:
Qualifies: #174 on the Very British MM Goodreads list
Lessons in Discovery by Charlie Cochrane
200 pgs/GR
[ book:Lessons in Discovery|8724354]
Donna wrote: "Lessons in DiscoveryTask 10 - SELECTION POSTS55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country.
Book #1:
#176 on the Very British MM Goodreads list
..."
Hi Donna - when you do your completion, just note the setting and how it qualifies :)
Task 10 - Selection55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country
Team chose UK
After Felix by Lily Morton
Pages: 266
Qualifies: Main page setting 'England'
[*book:After Felix|54739751]
Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Lessons in DiscoveryTask 10 - SELECTION POSTS55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country.
Book #1:
#176 on the Very British MM G..."
I thought posting the list it was on would be how it qualifies. Although, I did forget to put the word "Qualifies" on it, dang it!
Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Lessons in DiscoveryTask 10 - SELECTION POSTS55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country.
Book #1:
#176 on the..."
LOL - I completely missed the lists!!!
My eyes are too trained to look for the 'qualifies' or 'how it fits'!!
Task 10 - COMPLETION POST55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country.
Team choice: UK
Book #1:
Qualifies: #176 on the Very British MM Goodreads list
Lessons in Desire by Charlie Cochrane
224 pgs/GR
Finished: 10/3/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
Even though I figured out the "who" and "how" parts of the mystery fairly early on, the "why" did elude me until the end, which I did NOT see coming! 🤔
As for Jonty and Orlando, what a difference a change of scene can make! Watching these two share new experiences together, and seeing Orlando break out of the shell that he had used to protect himself for most of his life, was most fascinating.
As is always the case with this author, the side characters were an interesting addition to the story and many were most helpful in solving the mystery. Although, it basically came down to Orlando's amazing sense of observation and deduction to get them to the correct conclusion.
[ book:Lessons in Desire|8991931]
Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Lessons in DiscoveryTask 10 - SELECTION POSTS55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country.
Book #..."
My bad and I finally found the link that I had posted but couldn't find where it had disappeared to... it had bounced up to the very beginning of the comment! 🤦♀️
Task 10 - COMPLETION55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country
Team chose UK
After Felix by Lily Morton
Pages: 266
Qualifies: Main page setting 'England'
Read: 3 October
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Another great yarn by LM. I really enjoyed this, but not quite as much as some of her other stories. MC Felix is wonderfully sassy and full of entertaining quips and sarcasm; a bit burned emotionally but trying to get out and life life. MC Max is a bit tortured after years in war-torn countries; he fully appreciates Felix's company, humour and come-backs. Max needs structure and an anchor-point but he doesn't really understand that need until its too late...
Narrated by Joel Leslie - excellent.
[*book:After Felix|54739751]
Off to bed. I'll see how everyone is travelling and if I need to try for another book tomorrow :)
Task 10 Completion Post Book 1Book set outside USA.
Team choose UK
Half Moon Chambers
176 pages
Setting: Newcastle, England
date read: 10/3/22
4 stars
A story about an ex addict and a policeman who get together when the policeman tries to persuade the ex addict to testify against a drug lord.
I like how the story developed between the 2 MCs. They both had their demons but got their HEA in the end.
Task 10 Completion Post55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide country.
Sawyer by JJ Harper
Pages: 157
Qualification: Precis This book is based in the UK and is written in British English.
Read: 10/3/22
Rating: ★★★
I don't know how to review these kinds of books. It's the kind that even the MC could die and I'd feel nothing because the writing just isn't very good but I still want to finish the book because the story itself doesn't suck. These two had a Daddy/boy relationship but not an intense one. Nothing in these books is intense. Hard to describe but pretty entertaining.
[*book:Sawyer|55184134]
Task 10 completion post book 2Suit Yourself
153 pages
Qualification: tagged as london x1
Date read: 10/4/22
4 stars
I like twinks especially those that are sassy and Leslie certainly was.
Leslie meets Oliver whilst delivering a suit to him and recognizes him as Nicky Starr, ex porn star.
Oliver vanished from the scene when he had an accident leaving his face scarred.
Slowly but surely Oliver starts to live again with Leslie even though we do get a bit of angst and a breakup. The 2 finally have their HEA.
Task 10 - COMPLETION POSTS55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country.
Team choice: UK
Qualifies: #174 on the Very British MM Goodreads list
Lessons in Discovery by Charlie Cochrane
200 pgs/GR
Finished: 10/3/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
The best way to solve a murder? Find out who benefits the most from it... expect to be surprised! *grin*
I love the fact that these stories read fast and have very little if any angst between the MCs. A fall down the stairs, a near-death case of the flu, and a 4oo-year-old murder mystery. What more could we ask for?
[ book:Lessons in Discovery|8724354]
Task 10 - Team Completion55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide the country.
Team choice: UK
1. Donna - msg 224
2. Jane - msg 226
3. Lisa - msg 228
4. Shannon - msg 229
5. Lisa - msg 231
6. Donna - msg 232
Not that I’m worried, but I will check your books tomorrow when I am on my computer. Here is your next task!
Task 11 - 33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide.
As a team select a sub-genre of romance and than read 6 books in that sub-genre. Please include the selected sub-genre in your completion posts.
Task 11 - selection postRead 6 books in the same sub genre - MM Romance
Love Match
166 pages
Qualifies: tagged MM Romance x2 on MPG
Task 11 - SELECTION POSTS33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide.
Team Choice: M/M Romance
Book #1:
Qualifies: M/M Romance on MPG
The Gardener and the Marine by R.J. Scott
150 pgs/GR
[ book:The Gardener and the Marine|58671609]
Book #2:
Qualifies: M/M Romance on MPG
The Soldier and the Bodyguard by R.J. Scott
244 pgs/GR
[ book:The Soldier and the Bodyguard|61088169]
Task 11 Selection Post33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide. MM Romance
Book 1
Forbidden Mafia Prince by Ella Frank
Pages: 216
Qualification: MPG MM Romance
[*book:Forbidden Mafia Prince|60314865]
Book 2
Sinful Mafia Prince by Ella Frank
Pages: 276
Qualification: MPG MM Romance
[*book:Sinful Mafia Prince|60424197]
Task 11 Completion Post33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide. MM Romance
Book 1
Forbidden Mafia Prince by Ella Frank
Pages: 216
Qualification: MPG MM Romance
Read: 10/4/22
Rating: ★★★★
I just knew this was going to leave me hanging. That's the way this author works with these duets. Glad I waited for the next one to come out before I started this. On with the story!!
[*book:Forbidden Mafia Prince|60314865]
Task 11 - COMPLETION POST33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide.
Team Choice: M/M Romance
Qualifies: M/M Romance on MPG
The Gardener and the Marine by R.J. Scott
150 pgs/GR
Finished: 10/4/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
My love of gardening started 3 years ago and it has become quite an obsession for me. First, it was a little patch on the patio... then it was a couple of raised beds and now it consists of my own little greenhouse, a grow room and so much more! My "babies" have given me joy, peace, and calm when my ADHD gets a bit out of hand. I tell you this so that you can understand that gardening is more than just veggies or flowers or fruit... it is therapy for those of us that hadn't even known that we needed it!
As for the story? WOW, tissues were needed, but they were tears of joy for the most part! Toby is a kind soul who found his soulmate in Harrison. As they work together to build a life and a garden they learn life lessons that will see them through the years.
As the mother of a Navy sailor, fear is a real thing, but also the pride in knowing that our country is made up of those who have a calling to serve and protect and the courage to follow through on that calling. Saying "Thank you for your service." seems like it is not enough for those who keep our country safe from both foreign and domestic threats, but it is heartfelt and meant with the greatest of appreciation!
Now, I will be moving on to see how things work out for JC and Adrian in The Soldier and the Bodyguard!
[ book:The Gardener and the Marine|58671609]
Task 11 - Selection33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide.
MM Romance
How to Shield an Assassin by AJ Sherwood
Pages: 268
Qualifies: MPG MM Romance
[*book:How to Shield an Assassin|52885231]
Task 11 Completion Post33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide. MM Romance
Book 2
Sinful Mafia Prince by Ella Frank
Pages: 276
Qualification: MPG MM Romance
Read: 10/5/22
Rating: ★★★★
It seems as though I've read something similar and it may even be by this author but it was still a good read. Badass Mafia guy, clueless snarky med student....rivals but not. Good story that definitely kept me interested the entire two books. Would recommend.
[*book:Sinful Mafia Prince|60424197]
Task 11 - COMPLETION POST33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide.
Team Choice: M/M Romance
Qualifies: M/M Romance on MPG
The Soldier and the Bodyguard by R.J. Scott
244 pgs/GR
Finished: 10/5/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
The mystery was there. The drama was there. The emotions... oh, the emotions. Even with all of that, I just didn't click with this one the way I have with other stories in this series. Don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful story with a visit from both the guys from Ellery Mountain and Sanctuary, but... yeah, there is a but and if I knew what it was, I would tell you! *headdesk* ;p
I think mostly my problem was that I had a hard time seeing a balanced relationship between JC and Adrian, probably because there wasn't one. Because this story just wouldn't have worked if there had been, but that doesn't give my brain what it needs. Balance in a relationship of any kind is such an important part. Although in the end, we get a sense of a more balanced outcome, so I guess I will cling to that and let the whole thing go... no promises, but I will try!
I have always admired this author's ability to take a subject that requires sensitive handling and create a story that not only entertains us but also teaches us things about the world and ourselves that we didn't even know that we needed to know... you know what I mean?
I have been slowly working my way through this series over the years and I can't say that I have been disappointed by a single one of them, so as always, I will consider them all a good read!
[ book:The Soldier and the Bodyguard|61088169]
Task 11 - completion postRead 6 books in the same sub genre - MM Romance
Love Match
166 pages
Qualifies: tagged MM Romance x2 on MPG
Date read: 10/6/22
4 stars
So its time for Nero's story. Having decided to get back on the local stage in a production of Guys and Dolls, Nero ends up starring opposite fallen Hollywood star, Fallon.
A simple story, little angst but very much insta-insta love. I think the time period was a few weeks and Nero was ready to propose to Fallon.
I disliked the way Fallon treated Nero towards the end and Nero was too quick to forgive him, but hey, what can you do.
At least we got a little Frankie action.
Task 11 - COMPLETION33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide.
MM Romance
How to Shield an Assassin by AJ Sherwood
Pages: 268
Qualifies: MPG MM Romance
Read: 6 October
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:
Fun story. I loved the humour behind the insertion of a child into the criminal world and watching the three (then four) grown men raise her. The softness of that aspect allowed the personalities to shine and develop more openly than if they were forced to be 'hard-arses' ;)
Narrated by Iggy Toma & Antonio Amato - excellent. Antonio is new to me, but he did a great job.
[*book:How to Shield an Assassin|52885231]
Task 11 - TEAM COMPLETION33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide.
MM Romance
1. Shannon - msg 2392. Donna - msg 240
3. Shannon - msg 242
4. Donna - msg 243
5. Lisa - msg 244
6. Jane - msg 245
Posted in Q&A :)See you all tomorrow!
Here is your next task!Task 12 - 72. Read 4 books published in the decade of a teammate's birth, team decides which teammate.
As a team, select a teammate and then read 4 books initially published in the decade of their birth. For this task, the decade will be 0-9, for example 1990-1999. Use the initial publication date, if there is a date listed at the top of the editions page use that. Otherwise, I will be looking for the earliest dated English language edition regardless of format for the qualification. Please include the selected teammate and decade in your completion posts.
Don't blame me, blame the randomizer!! 🫣
Task 12 - selection postFirst published in teammates decade - 1970s
The Fancy Dancer
251 pages
First published 1/1/77 ( on mpg) - Shannon 1970
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