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TART7 - The Loitering Layabouts (8)
Completion posted in Q&A!!!Sorry for the delay, my day went to hell in a handbasket... 🤦♀️
I'll be back tomorrow with your next task!
Here is your next task!Task 23 - 86. Read at least 1500 pages in books with a hat on the cover.
Books selected for this task need to have a hat on the cover. You can use any edition's cover to qualify. Please include the qualifying cover in your completion post. Any kind of hat will work for this task - baseball cap, cowboy hat, beanie, etc. A hood or scarf does not work for this task. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.
Completion post - book 1Task 23 - 86. Read at least 1500 pages in books with a hat on the cover.
359 pages
Date read: 5/23/23
4 stars
A long book, which could have been alot shorter. We were teased with a certain ending which to me was a bit of a damp squib.
Ned, bent on trying to get revenge on the gang who killed his father, hooks up with the gang and in the process falls in love with one of their members.
I expect Ill read the last book to see what happens to Ned and Cole and wheher they get to California but I won't be rushing into it.
Completion post - book 2Task 23 - 86. Read at least 1500 pages in books with a hat on the cover
220 pages
date read: 5/24/23
4 stars
The story jogs along until there is an issue very close to the end of the book and the characters seem to think its unsolvable until tada! the issue is solved.
I did enjoy the story. A man goes back to Montana where he spent a year or so of his teenage years bullied by a high school boy. Surprise, the bully turns out to be the man who Blair needs to speak too to buy his ranch.
Task 23: COMPLETION POST 86. Read at least 1500 pages in books with a hat on the cover.
How it qualifies: Cowboy hat on cover.
Just Dex by Jodi Payne
529 pgs/GR
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/23/23
Review:
I will be the first to admit that I find myself complaining about the lack of details from time to time... but that sure wasn't the case with this story! Not sure what I was expecting, but maybe the whole over 500 pages should have given me a clue. In a nutshell? 75% of this story was boring and repetitive (if I have to read the word BOY again anytime in the near future, I may just scream)... the other 25% was FANTASTIC! How is that even possible? 🤷♀️
I spent the whole time I was reading thinking where are the personal details, like how Cyrus should have been helping Dex work through his feelings about his loss of Huck... or, maybe have had a slightly more in-depth discussion about the whole D/s lifestyle a tad bit earlier in the relationship. Poor Dex didn't know whether he was coming or going most of the time for the first half of the book... grrr
Yes, I know that there was a lot to work out and a lot to learn for both of them. But, did we need a detailed description of every single bite of food they put in their mouths? We could have cut at least 100 pages with just the food description alone!!! 🤦♀️😭🤣
Even though this book didn't click with me as much as I would have liked, I know that I will be giving book 2, Hide Bound, a read someday, just to see how things are going over at Les's Bar!
[ book:Just Dex|56624097]
Task 23 Completion Post (Book 1)86. Read at least 1500 pages in books with a hat on the cover.
Down and Dirty by Parker St. John
Pages: 234
Qualification: Cowboy hat on cover
Read: 5/22/23
Rating: ★★★★
Much better than I was expecting. Two cowboys bonded together but hurting so much. Great second chance story with tons of emotions and all the good stuff. What a surprise for me.
[*book:Down and Dirty|58663090]
Task 23 Completion Post (Book 2)
Daddy's Christmas Elf by Ali Ryecraft
Pages: 196
Qualification: Elf hat on cover
Read: 5/23/22
Rating: ★★★
This was a cute Xmas story but in no way a "Daddy" book. Maybe hinted at a bit but not realized or practiced or anything. What a disapointment.
[*book:Daddy's Christmas Elf|63116851]
Task 23 - PASS86. Read at least 1500 pages in books with a hat on the cover.
Sorry everyone - my first PASS ever!
But thank you for making it possible 🤓
Task 23 - Team 8 The Loitering Layabouts Completion PostTotal Pages: 1538
Lisa: msg 255
Lisa: msg 256
Donna: msg 257
Shannon: msg 258
Shannon: msg 259
Jane: msg 260
Posted in Q&A.FYI, I've had to go into the office today and have left my phone at home, so won't be able to post when the new task is given.
Here is your next task!Task 24 - 103. Read over 1500 pages in books tagged ‘family’.
Books selected for this task need to be tagged/shelved as 'family'. Variations of the word and combo tags will be allowed in context, 'familiar' or 'no-family' will not work as examples. Tags/shelves are the only qualification for this task. Please include a link to the top shelves page with the qualifying tag along with the exact tag, number of tags and the top shelves page number in your completion posts. This information is extremely helpful if the link is broken or the tag moves - and both happen frequently! Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.
Task 24 - completion postTagged family
Life, Some Assembly Required
327 pages
Tagged family on MPG
date read: 5/26/23
4 stars
This is the second book in the series and its a good job it could be read without having to keep referring back to book 1 as I read that so long ago, I had forgotten what it was about.
Anyhow, John and Ryan are now a couple and living with John's son Mark. There are issues with John's ex wife who is pregnant and in the processing of divorcing her second husband.
I enjoyed Ryan and John along with John's kids, Torey and Mark. I am so glad John didn't give into his ex wife's request.
Task 24 Completion Post103. Read over 1500 pages in books tagged ‘family’.
Foxed by Jay Hogan
Pages: 323
Qualification: Tagged Family 3x (1st Column, Bottom)
Read: 5/25/23
Rating: ★★★★
This one started out a little iffy for me but ended up being a good read. Older men, Jed, a man on man virgin at 55 and Nash, a one and done kind of guy. We got us some family drama and a lovely story of older men finally finding the one.
[*book:Foxed|65974903]
Task 24 - Completion Post103. Read over 1500 pages in books tagged ‘family’.
Angel in Black Leather Pants
Pages: 517
Qualification: Tagged 'found family feels' x1 (third column, bottom)
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Tagged 's family' x1
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve... (middle column, bottom)
Read: 25 May
Rating: 5 stars (rounding up cos I really enjoy these stories ;)
Review:
Great fun. Love these stories. They are easy to listen to and follow (assuming you start at the beginning) but there are a heap of bends getting to the MCs' resolutions and life outcomes. Pure fantasy with more paranormal beings popping up their heads in each story. ❤️
Narrated excellently by John York
[*book:Angel in Black Leather Pants|32052130]
Task 24: COMPLETION POST Book #1103. Read over 1500 pages in books tagged ‘family’.
How it qualifies: FAMILY on MPG page!!!
Bear, Otter, and the Kid by T.J. Klune
350 pgs/GR (Re-reading my FAVORITE book, technically, I am listening to it!!!)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/25/23
Review:
WOW! If I thought this was a wonderful story when I first read it... imagine how amazed I was when I heard it read by Sean Crisden this time. I spent many long hours driving, truly appreciating this man's talent!
Even though re-reads aren't my thing and I rarely listen to Audible books, this one was a true joy!
[ book:Bear, Otter, and the Kid|12367576]
1004 pages so far!!! I should be able to read a "short" one tomorrow night after I go to bed... 🤞🤞🤞
Lisa wrote: "I make it 1517 pages"Yep - me too :)
Lisa wrote: "I make it 1517 pages"Look at you two being busy while I was driving!!!
Will get the completion post done while I am having 1st meal!!! I'm glad to be home, even if it is for just a short while!
Task 24 - Team 8 The Loitering Layabouts Completion PostTotal Pages: 1517
Lisa: msg 264
Shannon: msg 265
Jane: msg 266
Donna: msg 267
I haven’t checked your completions, but I’m not really worried about it with you all. Here is your next task!
Task 25 - 80. Read 4 books initially published in different decades.
Books selected for this task need to be initially published in different decades, though not necessarily sequential. For this task, decades will run 0-9, so 2010 through 2019 is one decade. Make sure 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. Please include your selected decade in your completion posts.
Task 25 - Completion PostRead 4 books initially published in different decades.
Chose decade: 1990s
Why Isn't Becky Twitchell Dead?
209 pages
( not sure which kindle to use)
qualifies: first published 1st Feb 1990 ( at top of page) but there is a hardcover version published 1st Jan 1990.
date read: 5/27/23
4 stars
Tom is back trying to save his students, this time from drugs.
Ask to help prove one of his students is innocent of murder, Tom with the help of Scott embarks on lots of conversations and high speed chases through snow and ice.
There were alot of suspects and I was kept guessing right to the end.
I did have a question though. How did Scott manage to pitch 2 no hitters in the same world series ( game 5 and 7). I thought pitchers only started every 5 games.
Task 25: COMPLETION POST80. Read 4 books initially published in different decades. (1990/2000/2010/2020)
How it qualifies: Published April 6, 2009.
Zero at the Bone by Jane Seville
308 pgs/GR
Another re-read. This time it is my 2nd favorite MM book!!! 💖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/27/23
Review:
OK, I was going to listen to this one, also... but wasn't impressed with the narration sample, so went ahead and read it. I loved it as much this time as I did the first two times I read it. There is a reason that this is my 2nd favorite MM story! 💖💖💖
[ book:Zero at the Bone|6393872]
Task 25 Completion Post80. Read 4 books initially published in different decades. (1990/2000/2010/2020) 2010
Dangerous Curves Ahead by Tymber Dalton
Pages: 187
Qualification: Published October 10, 2016
Read: 5/27/23
Rating: ★★1/2
And now I remember why I stopped reading Siren romances. This just wasn't good. The story, the dialogue, the sexy times, just nothing was any good. Two days for a short book is proof enough. No thanks!!
[*book:Dangerous Curves Ahead|33002624]
Task 25 - COMPLETION80. Read 4 books initially published in different decades. (1990/2000/2010/2020)
2020
Conduit Crisis
Pages: 256
Qualifies: published 8 February 2023
Read: 27 May
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This book is almost a bridge book in terms of the Mannix Estate ghostly traumas, but is full of self-realisation for MCs Daniel and Skye; Dan with his sexuality and Skye with his conduit ability and back story with his mother. Loved this pairing!
The next book would appear to be a blockbuster ;)
Narrated by Nick J Russo - 5 stars
[*book:Conduit Crisis|62798838]
Task 25 - Team 8 The Loitering Layabouts Completion PostLisa: msg 275
Donna: msg 276
Shannon: msg 277
Jane: msg 278
Here is your next task!Task 26 - 88. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which.
As a team select which vehicle you are looking for on the covers and then read 6 books with that item on the cover. You can use any edition's cover to qualify for this task. Please include the selected item and the qualifying cover in your completion posts.
Task 26 completion post88. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which.
Team decided motorcycle
Outlawed: Lords of Chaos MC - book 1
212 pages
date read: 5/28/23
4 stars
A young man runs out in front of Ace as he is going home and he stops to pick him up and then offers him sanctuary when he learns of the man's circumstances.
Ace's brother, Dragon is serving the last 6 months of his prison sentence for drugs and offers his protection to Richard. A man convicted of buying drugs and serving a years sentence.
The book weaves the story of these 2 brothers and their lives within the local MC.
Book 1 ends on a kind of cliffhanger so its straight onto book 2.
Task 26: COMPLETION POST Book #1 88. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which. (motorcycle)
How it qualifies: Motorcycle on cover below...
Saint by Ana Night
225 pgs/GR
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/29/23
Review:
I understand that we can't all like the same thing, and that is why I don't feel so guilty about this review. Halfway through I knew that this wasn't going to work for me. Frankly, I was bored out of my gourd. 😭
That is not to say that others didn't enjoy it, as the reviews stated over and over... it just wasn't for me. The writing felt one-dimensional and the characters didn't click like I was hoping for. I will say that I liked the idea of seeing a couple of strong women in what is usually considered a male-dominant situation.
As I like to give a new author a second chance, I will be jumping right into Joker and have my fingers crossed that Joker can do what Zayne and Nash couldn't... entertain me! 🤞🤞🤞
[ book:Saint|45728424]
Task 26: COMPLETION POST Book #288. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which. (motorcycle)
How it qualifies: Motorcycle on cover below...
Joker by Ana Night
247 pgs/GR
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/29/23
Review:
OK, I have concluded that MC books just aren't my thing... 🤦♀️
I think that if I tried something else by this author that isn't an MC story, it might work better for me... maybe? I'm just not sure. I spent an annoying amount of time mentally proofreading and editing as I read and that NEVER ends well for me. Joker as a whole was a bit disappointing, but Gabe was just adorable, and frankly, Joker wouldn't have been my first choice for him. But a heart wants what a heart wants... silly men! 🥰
Stepping away from this series, but not away from this author, yet. Hoping for better things if I can find a book that is more up my alley... perhaps NO motorcycles this time? 🤷♀️
[ book:Joker|52009120]
Task 26 completion post88. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which.
Team decided motorcycle
Vengeance: Lords of Chaos Motorcycle Club - book 2
215 pages
date read: 5/29/23
4 stars
We pick up where the last book left off. Ace is still on the hunt for Kinshine's abusers and has plans to kill them. Dragon is still in prison with his lover Richard and we are introduced to Gina ( Ace's trans sister) and the man she has been instagramming with for 6 months.
There is plenty of story and action in this book. Its quite gory too. Only complaint there is too much sex especially between Dragon and Richard.
Task 26 - COMPLETION88. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which.
Team decided motorcycle
How to Catch a Biker
Pages: 288
Qualifies: cover model is sitting on a motorbike
Read: 29 May 2023
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Really enjoyed this one. The typical biker storyline wasn't really followed and the MCs' romance was sweet and spaced well. Looking forward to Micah in How to Catch a Vet
Narrated by Nick Hudson :)
[*book:How to Catch a Biker|56796300]
Task 26 Completion Post88. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which. (Motorcycle)
Tidal Wave by EM Lindsey
Pages: 290
Qualification: Motorcycle on Cover
Read: 5/29/23
Rating: ★★★
This was an okay story but it was so slow moving. Slow burn, lots of pages wasted on nonsense, blah, blah. I did enjoy all the characters with their different attributes and disabilities but these must be the nicest bikers I've read about. While the story did seem to have a gloom hanging over it, the bikers themselves were actually....sweet? Weird!
[*book:Tidal Wave|56334658]
Task 26 - Team 8 The Loitering Layabouts Completion PostLisa: msg 282
Donna: msg 283
Donna: msg 284
Lisa: msg 285
Jane: msg 286
Shannon: msg 287
Donna wrote: "Task 26: POST Book #288. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which. (motorcycle)
How it qualifies: Motorcycle on cover below...
[bookcover:Joker|52009120..."
Yeah, I don't see myself wasting any more time on this author in the future...
Donna wrote: "Donna wrote: "Task 26: POST Book #288. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which. (motorcycle)
How it qualifies: Motorcycle on cover below...
[bookcover:..."
Oh dear :( No fun.
Donna wrote: "Donna wrote: "Task 26: POST Book #288. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which. (motorcycle)
How it qualifies: Motorcycle on cover below...
[bookcover:..."
I tried that series as well. Ah, no thanks!!
Here is your next task!Task 27 - 77. Each teammate reads a book that the teammate after them alphabetically has rated 5 stars. No pass for this task.
There is no date limitation for this task, just select a book the teammate after you alphabetically has read and rated 5 stars. Please include a link to the teammate's review in your completion post.
Donna → Jane → Lisa → Shannon → Donna
Task 27 - completion post77. Each teammate reads a book that the teammate after them alphabetically has rated 5 stars. No pass for this task.
Shannon's 5 star read
The Wish
210 pages
Shannon's 5 star review
date read: 5/30/23
5 stars
I had tears in my eyes through alot of this book. Byron's dying wish was that his nephew get together with his lovers nephew Alex and Alfred, Byrons partner tries to make that happen.
Its not easy as when Alex first arrives at the house he sees Alfred with Paul and assumes that they are together and is furious as Alfred is only just widowered.
I loved this book, a story of true love with Alfred and Byron and Alex and Paul finally getting their HEA.
Task 27 Completion Post77. Each teammate reads a book that the teammate after them alphabetically has rated 5 stars.
Inevitable Disclosure by Nicky James
Pages: 430
Qualification: Donna Rated ★★★★★ Jan 31, 2023
Read: 5/31/23
Rating: ★★★★★
Gawd! I think this is my favorite of the series so far. Their relationship is getting stronger and stronger and the cases are just fascinating. This one was a heartbreaker though. Made me cry and feel all the things. Need light and fluffy now!!
[*book:Inevitable Disclosure|62967114]
Task 27: COMPLETION POST 77. Each teammate reads a book that the teammate after them alphabetically has rated 5 stars.
How it qualifies: Jane rated it 5-stars multiple times!
Frog by Mary Calmes
167 pgs/GR
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/30/23
Review:
I'm not sure why I have always passed this one by as I would pick a story because it was totally amazing! From start to finish I was pulled into the overwhelming love these two men felt for each other, the fear of the unknown that they each had to overcome, and the wonderful family dynamics that Ms. Calmes wove for us!
Sometimes, I think we forget that the ones that love us just need "US"! This was a lesson that was hard won for Web, but Cy knew what he wanted, and when the call came out of the blue, he wasn't about to let go this time... Web was HIS!!! 💖💖💖
[ book:Frog|30844878]
*Yeah, I know... I meant to read it tonight, but once I started, I just couldn't put it down! 🤷♀️💖
Lisa wrote: "D, MK has said yes to your book"Yeah, my Internet has been down... grrr
Task 27 - COMPLETION77. Each teammate reads a book that the teammate after them alphabetically has rated 5 stars.
Last Gasp
Pages: 212
Qualifies: Lisa rated 5 stars on 28 Dec 2021
Read: 31 May 2023
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Loved this. A decent mystery, with two MCs who have a fractious past from school with MC Kip's older brother being best friends with MC Merrick and teasing Kip mercilessly as kids. Over this is the mystery to be solved, but interestingly MC Kip is not the amateur detective. He's only involved through circumstance and unwillingly trying to work it out when no action appears to be happening in the PD.
Its the non-involvement of Kip that really makes this book. Add in the MCs' disinterest/friction that slowly moves towards a more positive frame, and... watch this space for book 2 ;)
Narrated by James Woodrich - very good.
[*book:Last Gasp|59356433]
Haha - Donna, I love Mary Calmes, so just a warning!!! 🤣
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Grabbed (other topics)Be Still My Heart (other topics)
Nothing to Lose (other topics)
Showers, Flowers, and Fangs (other topics)
The Bride's Brother (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Charlie Cochet (other topics)Tia Fielding (other topics)
Mia Kerick (other topics)
Mary Calmes (other topics)
Ana Night (other topics)
More...
76. Read 6 books with a specific item on the cover, team selects item. (T-Shirt)
Shannon: msg 244
Donna: msg 245
Lisa: msg 246
Donna: msg 247
Lisa: msg 248
Jane: msg 249