Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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TART7 - The Loitering Layabouts (8)
Task 13 - Team 8 The Loitering Layabouts Completion Post19. Each teammate reads a book another teammate read and rated 4 Stars or higher in the last 3 months. No pass for this task.
Lisa: msg 146
Jane: msg 147
Donna: msg 148
Shannon: msg 149
Lisa wrote: "Task 13 - selection postBook read by a teammate in last 3 months and rated at least 4 stars.
Stag and the Ash
158 pages
Read by Jane on 4/24/23 and rated 4 stars
Jane's review
da..."
Pssst.... still says selection post. I usually just skip right over messages if they say that, fortunately noticed that there was more info there so I stopped and checked. Please make sure you either don't use 'selection' or change it when it is a completion.
Here is your next task!Task 14 - 91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages. For example, teammates were born in 75, 83, 87 and 94 - each teammate reads a book at least 339 pages long. No pass for this task.
Please include the math and your required page count in your completion posts.
MountainKat wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Task 13 - selection postBook read by a teammate in last 3 months and rated at least 4 stars.
Stag and the Ash
158 pages
Read by Jane on 4/24/23 and rated 4 stars
Jane..."
Changed
Task 14 - completion postAdd up teammates ages and read a book with minimum of those pages.
(Team 61, 65, 67, 70 - so 263 pages)
Hawthorne Manor
331 pages
Date read: 5/5/23
5 stars
The telling of 2 love stories at the same time.
Elliott comes to work in Hawthorn Manor as a houseboy and meets Mikael, the owners nurse. Suffering from Aspergers, Elliott doesn't have the easiest times and this is very much the story of the 2 learning to be in a relationship.
There is also the story of Walter , the owner, and Spencer. You get to learn off their love through Walter and Elliotts daily talks.
Lots of tear towards the end but a beautiful book.
Task 14 Completion Post91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages.
(61, 65, 67, 70) 263 pgs
Sem by Cora Rose
Pages: 272
Qualification: Over 263 Pages
Read: 5/5/23
Rating: β β β β
Totally ridiculous in the most entertaining way. These stories are just the perfect way to spend some time when you want to escape and don't expect everything to make sense. Doesn't hurt this one was super hot!
[*book:Sem|61129210]
Task 14: COMPLETION POST 91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages.
(61, 65, 67, 70) 263 pgs
How it qualifies: 345 pgs/GR
Hunter Moon by Sam Burns
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ 5/5/23
Review:
Oh my, this was way better than I was expecting! I am coming to realize that these two authors are quickly shooting to the top of my "must-read" authors... like I needed more of them. π€¦ββοΈ
Aspen and Brook were two very strong characters that were meant to be together... but, first (of course) they must conquer the threat that could tear them apart.
[ book:Hunter Moon|58025210]
Task 14 - Completion Post91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages.
(61, 65, 67, 70) 263 pages (finally, an advantage of age!!)
Notorious
Pages: 317
Qualifies: Higher page count than 263.
Read: 5 May
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I really enjoyed this. The setting was interesting - fantasy but set in modern times but with 18th century cultural traditions. Shifters society. A dragon king. Our MCs are fox (Caspian) and tiger (Saphir) - matched together for the 'season'.
There was just some little element missing to stop me rating it 5 stars - I can't tell you what. I will definitely read book 2 assuming an audio version is released :)
Narrated by Gary Furlong - 5 stars.
Jane (PS) wrote: "Task 14 - Post91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages.
(61, 65, 67, 70) 263 pages (finally, an advantage of age!!)
[book:No..."
Yep, we have to take them when we can! LOL!!!
Task 14 - Team 8 The Loitering Layabouts Completion Post91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages.
Lisa: msg 157
Shannon: msg 158
Donna: msg 159
Jane: msg 160
I'll be back tomorrow with your next task.
Here is your next task!Task 15 - 94. Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years.
Books for this task need to be initially published in sequential years, for example 2010-2011-2012-2013-2014-2015. Teams decide which years to use. Please include the selected years in your completion posts along with which year your book was published. Remember to use the initial publication date. 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 for the qualification.
Task 15 Completion Post (Book 1-2018)94. Read 6 books published in sequential years. (18-23)
Sub Mission by TS McKinney
Pages: 271
Qualification: Published 6/7/18
Read: 5/6/23
Rating: β β β β 1/2
This book was delicious in every way. We had us a badass Dom and a straight sub, both detectives. To find a killer they have to be a D/s couple and make it believable. Yeah, it was believable, all right! :) Great mystery, great romance, just an overall fantastic read.
[*book:Sub Mission|40487992]
Task 15 Completion Post (Book 2 - 2021)94. Read 6 books published in sequential years. (18-23)
By the Numbers by KM Neuhold
Pages: 174
Qualification: Published 1/22/21
Read: 5/7/23
Rating: β β β 1/2
I think I would have like this more had I not just come off a great detective, mystery book. This was light hearted, fun, no great angst...what I would classify as kind of brainless enjoyment. Still good but not great!
[*book:By the Numbers|56363885]
Task 15 - Completion postRead 6 books in sequential years (18 - 23)
Murder in Shades of Blue and Green
237 pages
Published April 30th 2023
date read: 5/7/23
4 stars
After some scandal whilst on vacation, Charlie is sent to a different area to try to sort out the police station there. He will be a senior officer and to start with there are assaults and 2 missing students.
I liked the central 4 police characters and also Tom, who is obviously being set up as a love match for Charlie.
The mystery turns to murder and I didn't guess the whodunnit at all.
The first book in a new series set in Wales.
Task 15: COMPLETION POST94. Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years. Books for this task need to be initially published in sequential years. (2018-2023)
Book #1 (2019)
How it qualifies: Published April 25, 2019.
Mud & Lace by Jay Northcote
226 pgs/GR
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ 5/6/23
Review:
I LOVE CHARLIE!!! OK, that may have been a bit over the top, but seriously, he is one of the most interesting "fem" characters that I have ever read. His needs, desires, and concerns were all written on a more realistic level than we usually see.
Now, as for Simon... π€¦ββοΈ
Yeah, as an ally to the community, he was WONDERFUL... but, I just didn't like how things began (sexually) with him and Charlie. I feel like Simon deserved better, although I could tell that it was weighing heavy on Simon's conscience as their relationship begins to build into something more than they both thought they wanted.
Kudos to Charlie for working through the process and accepting the truth about what actually made him happy and presenting Simon with those truths. Luckily, Simon was doing some self-discovery of his own!!! πππ
[ book:Mud & Lace|45187766]
Task 15: COMPLETION POST94. Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years. Books for this task need to be initially published in sequential years. (2018-2023)
Book #2 (2020)
How it qualifies: Published March 19, 2020.
Happy Place by Jay Northcote
221 pgs/GR
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ 5/7/23
Review:
I am having trouble putting my thoughts into words because there was just so much that I loved about this story, but I just couldn't find the place to start.. so, I scrolled down and started reading everyone's reviews and it hit me!
YES, what they said! LOL!!!
IMHO this was an excellent finish to an entertaining series. Enough said! πππ
[ book:Happy Place|52042563]
Task 15 - COMPLETION94. Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years. Books for this task need to be initially published in sequential years. (2018-2023)
The Dragon Experiment
Pages: 256
Qualifies: (2022) Published 21 Apr 2022
Read: 7 May 2023
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I really enjoy this series. Its not edge of your seat or page-turning, but its a great and light-hearted way to spend time in a fantasy world filled with beautiful creatures with good intentions. This one focussed on MC Fabian (dragon, sex & ring connoisseur and researcher) and MC Rhys (sorcerer, researcher and new to the dragons) who stumble upon a solution to the Communities long-term decline.
Narrated by Joel Leslie - perfect.
[*book:The Dragon Experiment|59655480]
Task 15 - Team 8 The Loitering Layabouts Completion Post94. Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years. Books for this task need to be initially published in sequential years. (2018-2023)
Shannon/18: msg 166
Donna/19: msg 170
Donna/20: msg 171
Shannon/21: msg 167
Jane/22: msg 172
Lisa/23: msg 168
Lisa wrote: "Shannon, your link goes to the e book."Got it!! Thanks!!
Here is your next task!Task 16 - 109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Teams decide.
As a team decide whether you are reading books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Without facial hair would be clean shaven, with would include beards, mustaches or scruff. You can use any edition's cover to qualify for this task. Please include the teams decision and the qualifying cover in your completion posts.
Task 16 Post (Book 1)109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. (w/ Facial Hair)
To the Moon and Back by NR Walker
Pages: 220
Qualification: Facial Hair
Read: 5/9/23
Rating: β β β β
Cute book. Not the best book of Walker's I've read but it was angst free, sweet, 50's housewifey and very very baby heavy. And can we talk about the bushy-ass moustache...um, ewwww! Enjoyed the read but not enough to ever read again.
[*book:To the Moon and Back|90588990]
Task 16: COMPLETION POST Book 1109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. (w/ Facial Hair)
How it qualifies: Cover model has facial hair.
Notorious by Charlie Cochet
317 pgs/GR
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ 5/8/23
Review:
Just what I needed... another series to add to my growing pile that I can only hope to finish... someday! π
Not sure where to start with this one, so I think I will just say... Not all things are as they seem and not everyone is what they appear to be! This one started out by grabbing my heart and just ripping it from my chest and then it went and got even better!
The twists and turns will keep you on your toes and the ending has me ready to jump right into Dangerous... who the hell knows where that is going to take us! π€·ββοΈ
Sidenote: Just wanted to say that this cover style has really been working for me... keep up the good work! π₯°
[ book:Notorious|60293625]
Task 16 - completion post6 books with facial hair
184 pages
date read: 5/9/23
4 stars
The gang are now all living in Baltimore and are visited by an old mentor of Vincent's to help him with a haunting in PA.
For me, it did take a little time to get into it and certainly picked up after the contact with the ghost.
Task 16 Completion Post (Book 2)109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. (w/ Facial Hair)
Foolish Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James
Pages: 271
Qualification: Facial Hair
Read: 5/9/23
Rating: β β β β
I was excited when I realized this was Aleks' book. Their initial meeting...priceless. So freaking funny. I just love these books for a good time and easy read. They do have some sh*t the guys have to get through but overall they're just an entertaining way to pass a few hours. Plus the sexy times don't hurt. Loved!!
[*book:Foolish Puckboy|63127516]
Task 16: COMPLETION POST Book 2109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. (w/ Facial Hair)
How it qualifies: Cover model has facial hair.
Dangerous by Charlie Cochet
259 pgs/GR
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ 5/9/23
Review:
OMG! Just when I thought this author couldn't surprise me... WOW! Jason... just WOW! This book was just what I love to find when I have read a few duds... a diamond in the rough? My advice is to expect the unexpected and just go with the flow...
Sidenote: I could just sit and listen to Jason ramble on for days... ADORABLE... he is just so darn adorable!
[ book:Dangerous|123191804]
Task 16 - Team 8 The Loitering Layabouts Completion Post109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. (w/ Facial Hair)
Shannon: msg 177
Donna: msg 178
Lisa: msg 179
Shannon: msg 180
Donna: msg 181
Jane: msg 184
Shannon wrote: "Task 16 Post (Book 1)109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. (w/ Facial Hair)
To the Moon and Back by NR Wal..."
I'll be interested in what you think on this one!! Waiting for the audio :)
Task 16 - Pretty Up Post109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. (w/ Facial Hair)
Fake Friends
Pages: 354
Qualifies: facial hair on cover model
Read: 10 May
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This was a lot deeper than I was expecting with MC Rowan firmly in the closet AND with a very homophobic family. MC Circus never truly gave up on Rowan; this was exactly the type of acceptance, and then friendship and something deeper that Rowan needed to face his family and accept himself.
Narrated so well by Kirt Graves and Alexander Cendese.
[*book:Fake Friends|56215229]
I checked your posts for Task 15 and all look good. π
Here is your next task!Task 17 - 44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials in their name.
Examples would include J.D. Robb, Jennifer L. Armentrout or T.J. Klune. Include the author's name in your completion post.
Task 17: COMPLETION POST44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials in their names.
Book 1:
Breaking Free by A.T. Brennan
335 pgs/GR
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ 5/11/23
Review:
Ok, was there a lot of sex? YES... but, we definitely got a more concise storyline and there were a couple of scenes that were "tissue" worthy. No, get your mind out of the gutter... they were VERY emotional moments and tears may have made an appearance!
Zander (not Alexander) and Kai (not Malichi) have issues... I mean a lot of issues. Did this stop them from bumbling around and actually figuring out how to start a relationship... color me "surprised" but they did it! Not an easy feat for two guys who were determined to NOT be in a relationship. Sometimes, it is just meant to be... *sigh*
[ book:Breaking Free|36365264]
Task 17: COMPLETION POST44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials in their names.
Book 2:
To the Moon and Back by N.R. Walker
220 pgs/GR
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ 5/10/23
Review:
Boy, they sure do things differently in Australia! Here in the States, if you even asked a nanny to cook the evening meal or do laundry, you would be renegotiating their contract and adding to their salary! I understand that at the beginning there was a kindness being shown by Toby for the situation that Gideon had found himself in and the total exhaustion that he was barely surviving. Of course, I must say, here in the States, this same level of concern isn't really shown for a mother that suddenly finds herself single and with a newborn. I mean, she has to actually give birth, recover, and still maintain the house, be the sole caregiver for the child usually with very little if any leave from her work. Sorry, didn't mean to go off on this tangent... π€¦ββοΈ
I guess, in for a penny, in for a pound. My thoughts on the whole Drew issue are mixed. I get it, he was an asshole, but choosing to be childless is not a bad thing. I truly feel every person needs to make this choice for themselves without pressure from others. With Drew and Gideon had been in a relationship for over 6 years, don't you think at some point having children would have come up... if nothing else, at least in a passing conversation? I have a serious issue with how the author wrote the whole negative storyline of Drew's choice to walk away after Gideon didn't give him a voice in the decision to bring a baby into their lives. I just don't feel that Drew was a bad person for standing up for what he knew was best for him. Again, I understand what a douche he was in other matters, but Gideon made the choice to do what he knew was best for him and the baby, it just wasn't the best choice for Drew. So, yeah, that was a problem for me. Which explains the 4-star rating...
What I did love was the strong female characters and of course, Benson! Yes, I read these stories for the babies... that's just how I roll! The ending was unexpected, and a bit rushed, but sweet nonetheless!
Now I have to go back and read The Weight of it All to get Henry and Reed's story. The "rabbit hole" can be NEVER ending with all of these wonderful authors and books to read!!! πππ
[ book:To the Moon and Back|90588990]
Task 17 Completion Post44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials in their names.
Addicted to Ellis D by SE Harmon
Pages: 323
Qualification: S.E. Harmon
Read: 5/11/23
Rating: β β β β
It seems I'm rating all my books four stars lately. They all seem to be a bit better than three or just a tad less that five. This is the latter. I loved the first part of the book but lost a touch of interest in the second. Still really enjoyed it but didn't love every second.
[*book:Addicted to Ellis D|122895175]
Task 17: completion post book 144. Read 6 books by authors who use initials
The Doctor's Discretion by E.E. Ottoman
195 pages
Date read: 5/11/23
4 stars
Interesting concept.
Augustus Hill, a doctor at NY hospital arranges to kidnap a patient who was bought into the hospital as a woman dressing as a man.
Augustus, himself is a hermaphrodite, a concept I have never read about in an MM book. I was worried I might not be able to continue with the story. However, it was a good story with little sex and a good twist regarding the kidnapped patient. Im glad I continued on with it.
Task 17: completion post book 244. Read 6 books by authors who use initials
Leaving Home by T.A. Chase
225 pages
Date read: 5/11/23
4 stars
Peter rescues Chaz from an ally where he is intoxicated and takes him home.
Chaz is on vacation from his job as a bullfighter with the rodeo and over the couple of weeks he is with Peter, the 2 hit it off but Chaz is nursing a drug addiction.
Following an accident which leaves Peter in the hospital, Chaz goes into rehab and gets sober and the 2 get their HEA.
A nice story about the family you make although for somebody with back problems and severe pain, he sure had a lot of sex.
Task 17 - COMPLETION44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials
How to Hack a Hacker
Pages: 229
Qualifies: A J Sherwood
Read: 11 May
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Really enjoyed it. We get the gang in full and then more join in through Brannigan and other associates :) I was so pleased to have K's story told, including his back story. Brannigan was a perfect foil and stress-reliever for K.
Narrated by Iggy Toma and Antonio Amato. Excellent.
[*book:How to Hack a Hacker|54673491]
Jane (PS) wrote: "Task 17 - post44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials
How to Hack a Hacker
Pages: 229
Qualifies: A J Sherwood
[book:How to Hack a H..."
Jane, the above link isn't open... or whatever you call it! π€·ββοΈ
Making the completion post now!!!
Task 17: Team 8 The Loitering Layabouts Completion Post44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials in their names.
Donna: msg 188
Donna: msg 189
Shannon: msg 190
Lisa: msg 191
Lisa: msg 192
Jane: msg 193
Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Task 17 - post44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials
How to Hack a Hacker
Pages: 229
Qualifies: A J Sherwood
[bo..."
Think it is right now :)
Donna wrote: "Task 17: COMPLETION POST44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials in their names.
Book 2:
To the Moon and Back by [author:N.R. Walker|..."
Haha - now I have to read this to see if I think the whole situation is unusual from an Australian perspective. From what I've seen generally (but never inquired), I *think* its pretty normal to expect cooking/cleaning/laundry in the Nanny arrangement, whilst still getting at least 2 days time off each week.
BTW over here, new mothers and fathers are entitled to parental leave for something like 4 months. And they can take it at half rates so people are often off work for more than half a year, if not a full year. Workplaces replace them with short-term contracted staff or simply juggle roles. So the whole give birth and get back to work is a slower process. Their jobs MUST be available for them to return to, although many chose to change jobs during this period.
Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Task 17: COMPLETION POST44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials in their names.
Book 2:
To the Moon and Back by [autho..."
I wish this was a reality over here!!! We fight to just get any kind of benefits at all! Most employers won't hire "full time" so that they don't have to provide insurance, sick days, vacation days, retirement... much less maternal leave. I don't think "paternal" leave is even a thing over here, maybe, but so rare I have never heard of it being available for even "full-time" jobs. π
Donna wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Donna wrote: "Task 17: COMPLETION POST44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials in their names.
Book 2:
[book:To the Moon and Back|9..."
I think everyone would be surprised how well and easily parental leave actually works, although it is probably much harder in the very small businesses. I can't imagine not have the basic working rights we have over here - but we don't pay private insurance. That is up to the worker - but we also have a free hospital system so it doesn't matter as much.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Mia Kerick (other topics)
Mary Calmes (other topics)
Ana Night (other topics)
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Thanks, Shannon! It worked perfectly!!! πππ