Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Bean There, Read That (6)
Selection PostWeek 7: Option 2: Key date: 5 May 2023
Bookcover/link: Dasher by Lorelei M. Hart
Page numbers: 162 pgs/Goodreads
How the book qualifies: Read by Lisa on 11/3 & rated it 4 stars
[*bookcover:Dasher|198431090]
I'm not finding the week 7 challenge even though I see two people have already picked their books.
JL wrote: "I'm not finding the week 7 challenge even though I see two people have already picked their books."Week 7
Option 1
9. Caffe Americano
Book set in the Americas - South or North. (American continent and associated islands)
Option 2
Key date: 5 May 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating
Book from your teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date, and rated at least 3 stars. Please note all three pieces of information on your post - teamie, date & rating.
Option 3
Pass
Allowed one person per team per week, and once every 4 weeks per person
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
It's posted in the Announcements thread (link above). You can follow that thread in case it's not posted here.
Selection PostWeek 7, Option 1
Task: Book set in the Americas - South or North. (American continent and associated islands)
Book/Author: Mile High by Liz Tomforde
# of pgs: 603
How it fits: Set in IL
[*book:Mile High|60909831]
Week 7 Option 1Completion Post
The Humbug Holiday
144 pages
MPG Setting: Vermont
date read: 11/5/23
4 stars
Cameron, a famous author moves to New England and Joe comes around to give him an estimate to fix up the house he is staying in.
Both men hate christmas but slowly they get together and the spirit of christmas gets to them.
A little insta-love but a perfect read for the holiday season.
Completion PostWeek 7: Option 2: Key date: 5 May 2023: Read by Lisa on 11/3 & rated it 4
Bookcover/link: Dasher by Lorelei M. Hart
Completion Date: 11/5
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I love Christmas shifter sweet no angst reads. I also love when they can have conversations with their inner animal. And the best thing of all, all the numbered Santa’s. I can’t wait to start this next book. This will be one of my go to Christmas each year.
[*bookcover:Dasher|198431090
Selection PostWeek 7, Option 1
Task: Book set in the Americas - South or North. (American continent and associated islands)
by Sawyer Bennettpgs: 364
How it Fits: Takes place first in Arizona and in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
[*book:Baden|58428947]
Completion PostWeek 7, Option 1
Task: Book set in the Americas - South or North. (American continent and associated islands)
by Sawyer Bennettpgs: 364
How it Fits: Takes place first in Arizona and in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Baden and Sophie were the perfect couple to start a new (new to me) series off with. Their shared history is tragic. One night in Pheonix Sophie is attacked by three men but Baden steps in to save her before she could be hurt only to be attacked so viciously to the point he's almost killed. He has to fight to get back to even walking, his chances of playing in the NHL again are astronomical so when he's offered a spot as the new goalie coach for the Pittsburgh Titans, he takes it. Sophie on the other hand was left physically unharmed but she has major PTSD from that night and is basically a shut-in. On a quest to help Sophie face her fears the two become close, closer even when he moves in with her.
I loved Sophie and Baden's story. They were brought together by shared tragedy and found their way to healing and an HEA together.
[*book:Baden|58428947]
Completion PostWeek 6, Option 1
Task: Read a book with an MC who is a farmer
Book/Author: High Country Bride
# of pgs: 435
How it fits: #103 from the Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy list
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5...
Finished: 11/08
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Angus McKettrick wants grandchildren, so he tells his sons that they have to get married and sire children to inherit the ranch.
Rafe decides to use a mail order bride service to get himself a wife. Trying to beat his brothers to the punch. Emmeline signs up to be a bride to run away from a mistake take that she made.
Things do not start off that great between them, and honestly there were times I wanted to ring Rafe's neck. Things do take a turn for the better, but the secret mistake is eating Emmeline alive. Then the mistake shows up to taunt her.
Once Rafe finds out the truth, I wanted to smack him again. He was a stubborn a-hole for sure.
With all the smacking of Rafe I wanted to do, I still started falling for this family and can't wait to see what happens with the rest of the brothers.
[*book:High Country Bride|74024]
Mariana, please ensure you post at least your selection post before tonight's call.
Selection PostWeek #7, Option 1
Book set in the Americas - South or North.
Book: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Page numbers: 310 pages per Goodreads
How the book qualifies: setting Texas from MPG
Completion post:Week 7, Option 1
Book: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
Mediocre book, the main characters felt very stereotypical and the love story had a lot of tropes. I felt like Hannah had a lot of potential to be one of my favorite female characters, but because the author wanted this to be a rom com a lot of her depth got lost. I liked the second part of the book and the romance was nice. So this was a good read in the end.
Week 8Option 1: Earliest credible evidence of coffee-drinking as the modern beverage appears in 15th Century.
Read an historical romance.
Must have MPG 'Historical' - that is, 'Historical' shows as one of the genres on the book's main genre.
You can click on 'more' once to see the extended list, but if you cannot continue with 'show all' and use the full page of genres.
Option 2: Key date: 12 May 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating.
Book from your teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars. Please note all three pieces of information on your post - teamie, date & rating.
Option 3: Pass
Allowed one person per team per week, and once every 4 weeks per person.
Selection PostWeek 8: Option 2: Key date: 12 May 2023
Bookcover/link: Dancer by Jena Wade
Page numbers: 147 pgs/Goodreads
How the book qualifies: Read by Lisa on 11/4 & rated it 4 stars
[*bookcover:Dancer|198618140]
Seletion PostWeek 8, Option 1
Task: Read an historical romance
Book/Author: Shotgun Bride by Linda Lael Miller
# of pgs: 448
How it fits: MPG Historical
Week 8 - Completion PostOption 1
The Sleeping Soldier
350 pages
MPG: Historical
date read: 11//12/23
4 stars
An interesting premise where a soldier from the Civil War falls asleep for 100 years and wakes up in 1965.
I guess it was a good thing that everybody accepted that in fact Russell was from the 19th century and nobody doubted it. Caleb, a man from 1965 acted as Russell's guide to living in the 20th century.
I did wonder how it was going to end and whether it would be a sad ending but I am thinking that Russell and Caleb did get their HEA.
Seletion PostWeek 8, Option 1
Task: Read an historical romance
by Joanna ShupePgs: 353
How if fits: MPG: Historical Romance
[*book:The Courtesan Duchess|26148912]
Completion Post - Week 8, Option 1Task: Read an historical romance
by Joanna ShupePages: 353
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Pleasantly surprised. I'm usually not into historical romance but I found myself really getting into this one. Julia/Juliet was a woman on a mission to seduce her husband, the Duke of Colton, who has been absent from her life for the last 8 years, the night of their wedding actually. But now that her and her aunt are about to be destitute, she will do what needs to be done. Seduce her husband and fall pregnant with his heir. And her plans work almost to flawlessly as once he meets her, he can't stop pursuing her and she finds herself falling for him.
Julia and Nick have a red-hot chemistry that burned through the pages.
[*book:The Courtesan Duchess|26148912]
Completion PostWeek 7, Option 1
Task: Book set in the Americas - South or North. (American continent and associated islands)
Book/Author: Mile High by Liz Tomforde
# of pgs: 603
How it fits: Set in IL
Finished: 11/12
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Even after reading all the great reviews about this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to grow to like Evan after first meeting him. He continually came across as a shallow womanizer, and even though we were told via his pov, that things weren't what they seemed, I was still in doubt.
I'm glad I stuck with this though because the more the story progressed, the more his true colors shined through, plus even though he came across as a womanizer, once he had a connection with Stevie, he held up to what I want when a hero is interested in the heroine. No other women!!!
As for Stevie, she held her own when it came to Evan, but in her everyday life she hasn't learned to deal with the people or issues that cause her to not have confidence in herself. I have a hard time dealing with heroines that lack self-esteem or self-confidence, but the story supports her having these feelings since they are deep seated from her past experiences, it's just hard to read.
I want my heroines to tell the people who treat them like crap to kick rocks. Or at least for any strength they gain to get to that point to be a result of themselves, and not have to come from outside people (unless it's a therapists). Ironically, this book also has points that focus on healthy mental health, and I felt that Stevie should have been seeing someone to deal with her body insecurities since it affected her life so greatly.
All that being said, I love the banter and emotional growing together and individual growth these characters exhibited. And I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.
Completion PostWeek 8, Option 1
Task: Read an historical romance
Book/Author: Shotgun Bride by Linda Lael Miller
# of pgs: 448
How it fits: MPG Historical
Finished: 11/14
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I like the things that are going on outside of the romance more than the actual romantic relationship in this book.
The relationship between the brothers, even their growing bond with Holt (that they don't seem to realize they're building). The relationship between Angus and Concepcion. The relationship between Becky and John. All of those are my favorite relationships and interactions in this book.
I also liked that Mandy was a kickass heroine. I think you got to be a bit of a badass to handle a McKettrick man, but Mandy exceeded my expectations.
There are also some losses in this book, one in particular that I wasn't expecting. I was heartbroken for everyone.
Then the action, we have someone trying to set all the ranchers against each other by destroying property, robbery, and murder. They think they know who is behind it all, but it ends up being someone they least expect.
[*book:Shotgun Bride|59957]
Completion PostWeek 8: Option 2: Key date: 12 May 2023: Read by Lisa on 11/4 & rated it 4 stars
Bookcover/link: Dancer by Jena Wade
Completion Date: 11/14
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This one was a pretty quick read. I have read the books out of order, and didn’t feel lost. I haven’t seen any of the other couples as they have their own Santa. The only thing I didn’t like was we didn’t get to spend time with them in their shifted forms. Both of them are shifters and it would have been fun if they would have spent a little time together while at the cabin.
[*bookcover:Dancer|198618140]
Selection PostWeek #8, Option 1
Read an historical romance
Book: The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
Page numbers: 385 pages per Goodreads
How the book qualifies: MPG Historical Romance
Completion post:Week 8, Option 1
Book: The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Good romance, I loved the banter and the chemistry between characters the children were fun addition to the story, I understood their backstory and the reason for their behavior. Alex and Chase's relationship felt rushed in the end, after all the prelude, I wanted more sexy scenes, it was very typical. I liked it, good book, great author.
Week 9Option 1: Flat White - a barista coffee originating from Australia or NZ (as usual, we both claim it ;)
Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author.
The book may also be set in Australia or NZ. Qualification may come from the GR main book page, author's page, lists and tags.
Option 2: Key date: 19 May 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating
Book from your teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date, and rated at least 3 stars. Please note all three pieces of information on your post - teamie, date & rating.
Option 3: Pass
Allowed one person per team per week, and once every 4 weeks per person
Selection PostWeek 9: Option 2: Key date: 19 May 2023
Bookcover/link: Prancer by Toby Wise
Page numbers: 114 pgs/Goodreads
How the book qualifies: Read by Lisa on 11/10 & rated it 4 stars
[*bookcover:Prancer|198664597]
Selection PostWeek #9, Option 1
Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author
Book: Private Charter by N.R. Walker
Page numbers: 245 pages per Goodreads
How the book qualifies: N.R. Walker
Completion PostWeek 9: Option 2: Key date: 19 May 2023: Read by Lisa on 11/10 & rated it 4 stars
Bookcover/link: Prancer by Toby Wise
Completion Date: 11/19
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: This entire serious so far is so sweet. You can read them out of order, as I have. We have Dom (Prancer) who Santa has ordered to go on vacation. He is also not the typical Omega as he is built like an Alpha. Silas is not the typical Alpha as he is built more like an Omega. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other & finally realizing they are fated mates.
[*bookcover:Prancer|198664597]
Selection PostWeek #9, Option 1
Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author
by Chantal Fernandopgs: 263
How it fits: Born in Australia
[*book:Decker's Dilemma|58650357]
Selection PostWeek 9, Option 1
Task: Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author
Book/Author: Dr. Stanton by T.L. Swan
# of pgs: 448
How it fits: Lives in Australia
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://tlswanauthor.com/
[*bookcover:Dr. Stanton|35685604]
Completion PostWeek 9, Option 1
Task: Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author
Book/Author: Dr. Stanton by T.L. Swan
# of pgs: 448
How it fits: Lives in Australia
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://tlswanauthor.com/
Finished: 11/21
Rating: 3 stars
Review: ***May Contain Spoilers***
I had a like/dislike relationship with these characters.
Mainly I liked Cameron. Once he decided to pursue Ashley, he really gave it his all, and for a guy who is usually more of ladies' man that's saying a lot. It wasn't until much later in the book when he started to disappointment with his behavior.
Not discussing safe words before bondage play, attempting to take custody, not actually communicating with Ashley when she was late to pick up her son and when she was violated. It really pissed me off that he got with his brother and said she forgot she was supposed to pick up her kid, when that wasn't what happened at all. And when she ended up in the hospital, it showed that he really didn't know her, since he automatically believed that she would do something to put herself in that situation. Plus, he was a judgmental prick.
All that being said, most of the time I wanted to slap Ashley. She could have done so many things differently that would have made this a bit better. Just being truthful from the beginning would have helped. I actually lost respect for her the moment she lied on her paperwork saying she didn't have a child. What kind of mother does that?
Plus she kept waffling back and forth on her opinion of Cameron when she first got to LA, just to end up doing the opposite of what she said she was going to do regarding him. Then she, who is supposed not a pushover, basically let Elli push her to doing what she claimed to not want to do at the club.
I kept wondering where all the smarts she supposedly had was throughout the story. We were told she was intelligent, but not shown. I guess the showing was the fact that she was bilingual and a med student?
Week 9 - completion postOption 1
Holiday Heart Strings
319 pages
How it qualifies: N R Walker
date read: 11/22/23
4 stars
Braithe is on a working visa for 2 years in the US and as he is approaching his new town he is pulled over by the local deputy, Colson.
Braithe soon settles in and gets friendly with some members of the gay community. Colson, although gay is still deeply in the closet.
This is a story of the struggles of a man who wants to come out of the closet but is afraid to.
Some angst but a nice feel good story.
Week 10Option 1
16. Instant Coffee - for when you are away from civilisation
Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location, or where at least one MC sleeps in a tent.
Words in tags such as 'remote', 'wilderness', 'camping', 'woods', 'forest'
Qualification may come from the GR main book page, lists and tags.
Option 2
Key date: 26 May 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating
Book from your teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date, and rated at least 3 stars. Please note all three pieces of information on your post - teamie, date & rating.
Option 3
Pass
Allowed one person per team per week, and once every 4 weeks per person
Selection PostWeek 9: Option 2: Key date: 26 May 2023
Bookcover/link: Rudolph by Minerva Howe
Page numbers: 110 pgs/Goodreads
How the book qualifies: Read by Lisa on 11/21 & rated it 4 stars
[*bookcover:Rudolph|199335179]
Completion PostWeek #9, Option 1
Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author
by Chantal Fernandopgs: 263
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I guess you could call this a light and sweet MC romance. Bareley any drama and only about a .5 on the spicey scale. Good story it was just kind of slow for me. Cara and Decker were great characters and I loved their instant attraction and HEA.
[*book:Decker's Dilemma|58650357]
Completion post:Week 9, Option 1
Book: Private Charter by N.R. Walker
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Sweet romance about two guys Stuart and Foster. Stuart is a guy in a disperate need of a vacantion, he is overworked and stressed. Foster is the owner of the yacht that Stuart rents and because his fling bails out last minute, they are forced to spent a few days together. They flirt and eventualy they fell in love. I liked the story, it was sweet but with a few spicy scenes. I liked that Foster left behind the life that Stuard now lives and knows the toll that it has on him. It was nice, I had a good time reading it
Selection PostWeek #10, Option 1
Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location
Book: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Page numbers: 320 pages per Goodreads
How the book qualifies: tagged camping and from precis
Selection PostWeek 10, Option 1
Task: Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location, or where at least one MC sleeps in a tent.
Book/Author: Wreckage by Emily Bleeker
# of pgs: 305
How it fits: Tagged wilderness x2
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Week 10 - Completion PostOption 2
Surprised by Fate
195 pages
Read by Diane 11/3/23 and rated 4 stars
Date read: 11/26/23
4 stars
Caught in a snowstorm, Brandon makes it to a porch and collapses. Mason takes him in and looks after him. As chance would have it, they are fated mates and soon the attachment forms and before long Brandon gets pregnant.
I loved when they were trying to decide on the baby's name. Think the author is a fan of Cut and Run as both Garrett and Zane were floated.
A nice easy way to spend a Sunday.
Completion PostWeek 9: Option 2: Key date: 26 May 2023
Bookcover/link: Rudolph by Minerva Howe
Completion Date: 11/27
Rating: 4 stars
Review: James is tired of what he does, but he still loves to fly. Santa tells him he is to go on vacation and James readily agrees. He ends up in the Scottish Highlands where he meets Magnus who is a roe deer shifter & runs/owns the B&B. What I missed is them spending time in their shifted forms together. Once James gets to the B&B, he is kind of rude with Magnus, but eventually he grows to like the company. He also comes to realize that he wants to do other things. So, he starts writing a book & finds out this is what he wants to do as it brings him joy. I would have also liked to see a little of that book, maybe Magnus reading a few chapters. I really enjoy this series & IMO you can read them in any order you want.
[*bookcover:Rudolph|199335179]
Week 10 Selection Option 1Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location, or where at least one MC sleeps in a tent.
by Nora RobertsPgs: 494
How it fits: MFC lives in a remote cabin on an island and found on a list titled Romance in remote location.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
[*book:The Search|7076706]
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Take a Hint, Dani Brown (other topics)A (Non) Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents (other topics)
The Search (other topics)
Wreckage (other topics)
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
A.J. Sherwood (other topics)Nora Roberts (other topics)
Minerva Howe (other topics)
Emily Bleeker (other topics)
Chantal Fernando (other topics)
More...
Week 6, Option 1
Book: Buns by Alice Clayton
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:
I loved this book, it was so fun and amazing, with great characters, funny moment and amazing chemistry between all characters. I loved the romance, it was slow, but very believable for me. In the end I wanted more from this characters and that's a good sign for me. I am very excited that I finished all the books in this series and I will read more books from this author. Very little farming in this book.