Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP Passport Pages (T7)
OK, that was really wordy... I'm stepping off my soap box now so I can head to bed! 😂Most importantly, let's have fun. 😊
MountainKat wrote: "Hey everyone, can you please let me know where you are located - at least the time zone? And maybe when you are mostly likely on GR? It's just easier to have an idea when people are more likely to ..."I'm on GMT +2 (Romania, Europe) . New is 7:42 PM Friday and is a time I'm mostly active because of ending my work shift. From now until I go to sleep I enter regularly on GR an in weekend based on my free time (and surly before sleeping)
And also I'm getting notification emails for coments in this topic and for PMs
So R~wka, you are 10 hours ahead of me and 7 hours ahead of the others. Thanks, I knew it was about that but wasn't sure exactly! I'm usually online around now too, unless I am away from home.
First Theme!!Week 1
Option 1
14. Tourist destination
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong.
For all the location/setting tasks, the book does not have to be solely set in that location; it simply needs at least one scene set there. The usual precise, main page, tag or list will need to be provided to show how the book qualifies.
If you aren't sure how to insert links in your posts, please read these instructions in the Q&A thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 2
Key date: 29 September 2023
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.
Week 1: 14. Tourist destination.Selection Post
Encore in Death by J.D. Robb, 375 p. per GRSet in New York City. Tagged 'New York' by 11 people on top shelves page 1, middle of the second column.
I have a little under 3 hours left in my book and will start this as soon as I am done. By tomorrow at the latest, not that I get much reading done on the weekends. But I love these books so I know it won't take me long to finish.
MountainKat wrote: "Week 1: 14. Tourist destination.Selection Post
Encore in Death by J.D. Robb, 375 p. per GRSet in New York City. Tagged 'New York' by 11 people..."
Week #1
by Delaney DiamondSet in Paris, France. 252 pages per GR
This is a portion of the book description on GR:
A cat burglar and an assassin run for their lives across Paris-and try not to get distracted by the sizzling attraction between them.
Awesome PurpleLadi. I just need a couple of things:*Remove the part before your post - the part that is the reply from my post.
*Add 'Selection Post' to your message.
*Add 'From precis' before the quote you have that includes Paris. That way Jane knows where to look when she is confirming your book.
You got all the important info except for saying it was your selection post. The rest is just cleaning up a little and making it easier for Jane. 😊
MountainKat wrote: "Awesome PurpleLadi. I just need a couple of things:*Remove the part before your post - the part that is the reply from my post.
*Add 'Selection Post' to your message.
*Add 'From precis' before ..."
Got it, thanks
Week 1: Tourist destinationSelection Post
by Delaney DiamondSet in Paris, France. 252 pages per GR
From precis on GR:
A cat burglar and an assassin run for their lives across Paris-and try not to get distracted by the sizzling attraction between them.
Selection post~Option 1~
Week #1
The Switch
Page numbers: 336
How the book qualifies: MP Setting - London, England (United Kingdom)
Selection Post - Week 1 - Option 1
Naked in Death
Pages Number: 316
How it Qualifies: Main Page Setting - New York City, New York
I’ve started reading my book. I’ll post the selection post when I’m back home :) will be back tonight
Completion Post - Week 1 - Option 1
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
I liked this far more than I thought I would! The murder mystery was interesting and Eve is growing on me. Roarke on the other hand, I'm not sold. He needs to calm down on his ridiculous "you will do as I say" attitude before I can get invested. The whole thing was a step beyond caveman and I hated it. The actual mystery itself made up for his flaws.
Week 1: 14. Tourist destination.Completion Post
Encore in Death by J.D. Robb, 375 p. per GRSet in New York City. Tagged 'New York' by 11 people on top shelves page 1, middle of the second column.
Completed 4.9.2024 *5 Stars*
There are many in this series that I have rated 5 Stars, but those are usually the stories that have a big emotional impact. The stories where Eve or Roarke are dealing with their histories or something that packs that emotional punch. But occasionally a story like this one, the crime driven stories, gets 5 Stars too.
Through the entire ending of this story, I felt like the author was just evil! (view spoiler) So, I may not have liked it, but it was soooo gooood!!
And of course, I loved Susan Ericksen's narration too! She is the voice of these characters in my head and heart!
Danielle wrote: "I liked this far more than I thought I would! The murder mystery was interesting and Eve is growing on me. Roarke on the other hand, I'm not sold. He needs to calm down on his ridiculous "you will do as I say" attitude before I can get invested. The whole thing was a step beyond caveman and I hated it. The actual mystery itself made up for his flaws."I am so glad you liked it! This is one of my favorite series and I know I can just start the audiobook and enjoy the ride. (If you like audiobooks, these are very good in audio!) Both the narration and the stories are always so good, there is never any stress about will the story let me down or will the narration be annoying.
And Roarke will grow on you! It takes them a bit to figure out the relationship stuff, because as you will learn neither had any positive examples in their youth. But they do and it is awesome! He did another of his swoon worthy acts in the book I just finished.
I've updated the tracking and we have all selection posts made, which is great! And we have two completions already too. Looking good for the first week. 😊
Week 1: Option 1 - Completion Post A Deadly Affair by Carla Simpson
Read: 4/9/24
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: I have mixed feelings about this book. The story was entertaining, with lots of quirky characters. The mystery was blah though. And I through the male MC was lacking. He was supposed to be this brilliant Scotland Yard inspector. But it seemed to me that he barely made any progress in the case without Mikaela's help. I'll definitely read the next book to see if things improve.
MountainKat wrote: "Danielle wrote: "I liked this far more than I thought I would! The murder mystery was interesting and Eve is growing on me. Roarke on the other hand, I'm not sold. He needs to calm down on his ridi..."I'm halfway though book two and he's a little better here, but I can see why people would like his personality after a while. I'm interested to see what they're like 10 books in and they've settled into some sort of routine.
I finished my book. But I need some inspiration to wrote the review
Completion post ~ Week 1
The Switch by Beth O'Leary
Rating: 4⭐️
Review
Eileen & Leena are 3 generation apart. Granddaughter and grandmother. They "change their life" switching the homes. Eileen go to rural Yorkshire and Eileen to London.
Personally I can say that I was pleasantly surprised by the book. It is an easy to read book with various topics, especially related to Eileen's family. Is my first book by this author and definitely will read her debut one to.
Danielle wrote: "I'm halfway though book two and he's a little better here, but I can see why people would like his personality after a while. I'm interested to see what they're like 10 books in and they've settled into some sort of routine."Watching both of them evolve is really entertaining! They are both at the top of their chosen professions, but emotionally have a lot to learn. Being vulnerable and accepting is not anything they are used to. The whole give and take in relationships is not easy. Giving is much easier, but accepting can be hard. (I personally get that one!) Eve struggles more than Roarke does, I think that is partially the difference between being a cop and being in business. But as soon as she thinks she has something figured out, something else comes up. That is so much fun to 'watch'!
Just waiting on PurpleLadi's completion and Week 1 will be complete!
I finished my book yesterday before catching a flight. I will post my completion soon.
Completion Post - Week 1: Tourist destination
Almost Perfect by Delaney Diamond My Rating: 5 Stars
Review: A definite page turner. This was much more than your typical boy meets girl romantic story. Ms. Diamond masterfully captivates the reader from the first page. I was seated at the edge of my seat, caught up in the drama, hoping Sable didn't get caught or killed. There were no dull moments in this book. Even the way Sable and Hunter met was dramatic.
I loved Sable's feisty, strong, compassionate character. She was the perfect woman for Hunter's, alpha male, protective, risk-taking character. The adverse circumstances from their lives, as youth, caused them to become wounded and distrustful of love. Sable and Hunter had to trust each other and allow love back into their lives while trying to stay alive. Their antics had me alternately gushing at their romantic gestures, shaking my head at their pig headedness, praying for their safety, or laughing hysterically. This was the perfect addition to the Cordoba Agency series, and I can't wait to read the next installment.
Jane has posted the new theme. I am away from my computer for a few more hours, but you can check out the Q&A in the meantime!
NEW THEME!Week 2
Option 1
11. Mainland Europe
Read a book set in mainland Europe (aka Continental Europe)
Mainland Europe does not include the UK or Ireland. Please ask if you aren't sure.
For all the location/setting tasks, the book does not have to be solely set in that location; it simply needs at least one scene set there. The usual precise, main page, tag or list will need to be provided to show how the book qualifies.
If you aren't sure how to insert links in your posts, please read these instructions in the Q&A thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 2
Key date: 6 October 2023
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.
I't s going to be Option 2 for me this week! This round's themes and my M&G shelf do to match up well! 😂 I'll make my selection post shortly.
Week 2: 11. Mainland Europe.Selection Post
Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh; 356 p. per GROption 2: #5 in series, #13 in series on teammate Danielle's read shelf, read February 8, 2024, rated 3 stars.
Week #2 (11. Mainland Europe) 
by Jo Watson368 pages per GR
Tags: Romance, Fiction, Chic-lit, Greece
From precis on GR:
Being adopted never made Jane Smith feel unloved, just unlike the rest of her family. As her twenty-fifth birthday approaches, she is struck by an overwhelming longing to finally find her place in the world. So in a very un-Jane-like move, she books a last-minute ticket to Greece to find her birth father and the real Jane. All she knows about him is it that he was a tour guide named Dimitri. Armed with this knowledge and several surprise boxes of condoms from her mom (not embarrassing at all), Jane takes off.
Week 2 - option 2 - selection Devil in Disguise
Read by Danielle in Nov 2023, 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (heads up - The review contains a spoiler without spoiler tags)
Selection Post - Week 2 - Option 1
The Forbidden Rose
Page count: 378
How it qualifies: Main Page Setting - France
Selection post ~Option 1~Week #2
Dark Prince
Page numbers: 447
How the book qualifies: Main Page Setting - Romania
Aiswrya wrote: "Week 2 - option 2 - selection Devil in Disguise
Read by Danielle in Nov 2023, 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (heads up - The review contains a spoiler wi..."
Hi Aiswrya - could you please add the page count to your selection post? Thanks.
Week 2 - option 2 - selection Devil in Disguise
384 pages
Read by Danielle in Nov 2023, 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (heads up - The review contains a spoiler without spoiler tags)
Completion Post - Week 2 - Option 1
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
The book is slow going until they get to Paris and that only takes 4 days, but the MCs are supposedly madly in love with each other by the end of that very short journey. Not sure how we got there but okay.
The politicking and action in the second half of the book is much more entertaining.
Week 2: 11. Mainland Europe.Completion Post
Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh; 356 p. per GROption 2: #5 in series, #13 in series on teammate Danielle's read shelf, read February 8, 2024, rated 3 stars.
Completed 4.16.2024 *4+ Stars*
Reread April 16, 2024
Almost exactly 9 years later and I loved this just as much!! I have a hard time remember what I made for dinner yesterday, so remembering details from a book I first read 9 years ago is more than a challenge. It wasn't all new, but more than enough to keep me on my toes at times! How could I forget so much of the drama?! I'm really enjoying rereading this series and realizing just how much of the future is foreshadowed in these earlier books!
April 25, 2015
*4+ Stars*
Wonderful, just as I expected! I loved Dorian and Ashaya! I loved their story, the whole journey was such a ride. And had lots of twists and turns - so many things I wasn't expecting! I am so looking forward to continuing this series!
I listened to the audio of this and thoroughly enjoyed it. Angela Dawe makes listening a joy!
Week 2 - Completion Devil in Disguise
3.5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book. The second half was a bit of a let down. Kier simply repeated himself at every turn, issuing orders and basically treating Merrit like an invalid. What further annoyed me was that she didn’t seem upset which was a complete 360 from the first half of the book. Blahish MCs but loved every scene with Sebastian and the earl whose name I can’t remember now.
Completion Post Week #2 (11. Mainland Europe)
by Joe WatsonRatings: Four Stars
Review:
Underneath all the story’s comedy was a serious message. The words children say to each other can be painfully cruel and leave lasting damage. Also, unless you accept and love yourself, how can you accept love from others.
Jane lived her entire childhood and teenage life believing that she was unloved or wanted by her adoptive family and biological parents. That belief led to misjudging everything her adoptive family said or did. It also led to Jane's feelings of being worthless, ugly, and choosing to isolate herself from family and the opposite sex. Her view of herself was so distorted that she blamed the Greek part of herself that was different. Jane hated everything Greek🙄 so her sudden decision to go to Greece, in search of her biological father was truly random and bizarre, not only to herself but to others who knew her.
I laughed, cried, and laughed some more while reading this book. Meeting Dimitri, despite his unfortunate lie, was the best thing to happen to Jane. His love, patience, and persistence helped Jane grow, accept, and finally embrace both her Greek and South African parts and love who she was. Great story.
For me, the only drawback to this book was the excessive amount of profanity.
I've updated the tracking. Everyone is doing great! Week 1 is complete and we are only missing 1 completion for Week 2. Impressive reading team!!
Thank you. it took me a minute, but I am starting to get the hang of things.
NEW THEME!Week 3
Option 1
16. Around the World in 80 Days
Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition
If you aren't sure how to insert links (book-link or list/shelf/tag-link) in your posts, please read these instructions in the Q&A thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 2
Key date: 13 October 2023
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.
Question: Is the publication date the same as the Copyright date?
PurpleLadi wrote: "Question: Is the publication date the same as the Copyright date?"No. Because Jane is looking for the date on the Kindle first edition, you would find that on the editions page for the specific edition. Here is an example of where to look:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...
You can see that both Kindle editions for this book were released on the initial publication date (at the top of the page) - September 5, 2023. This book would not work for Option 1. (That is why I am using Option 2 again this week.)
Another example:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...
Top edition here was also released on the initial publication date - September 2, 2008, and is the one that would be used for this theme. This book would work for Option 1. (But I used it for Option 2 last week!. 🤦🏻♀️)
Week 3: 16. Around the World in 80 Days.Selection Post
Payback in Death by J.D. Robb, 364 p. per GROption 2: #57 in series, #3 in series on teammate R~wka's read shelf, read March 5, 2024, rated 5 stars.
Just a Bit Wrecked
Page count: 200
How it qualifies: First Published December 10, 2020
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And I wanted to let you all know a little about how I am as a captain. I try to post updates on the tracking here in this thread at least once a week. I am not trying to call anyone out if I say I am missing a selection or completion post. It is just so that everyone knows what I have as far as tracking. If I've missed something, please let me know!! Though I will try to point out if someone is in danger of getting too far behind or not making their selection post in time.
Here are a couple of tips I've learned playing this before:
Make your selection and at least start to read your book as soon as you can! You don't want to get stuck with a book you want to DNF but can't because the next theme has already been called and you can't change your selection. I've seen people struggle with a book that they really aren't enjoying because of this.
Don't copy a previous post. It is best to start with a blank template for your selection and completion posts to avoid copy and paste errors. They happen to all of us! And remember to follow the format in message #3.
Communication is key. Please let us know if you are going to be away or not have connectivity. If we or Jane knows about some difficulty, adjustments and exceptions can be made. But only if we know.
Please help by double checking teammate's selection and completion posts for accuracy and completion. We all make errors sometimes. And they can be easy to miss - help is always welcome!
And last but certainly not least - make sure you have notifications turned on for this thread and the Q&A thread!! Jane will post the theme calls in the Q&A thread each week. I will copy them here, but am not always home on Fridays. So, if corrections are needed you need notifications on so you know about the request. You are free to ask questions here and I will try to answer, but sometimes it is best to get Jane's opinion and you would need to do that in the Q&A thread. She will respond there and that is why you need notifications on for that thread too. 😊