TART10 - Who needs Rum when there's Wine (1)

[Diane]

Completion post

Task 27 - 120. Read 8 books in series that have names that are 3 words long


Book: Dude Magnet
Author: Gregory Ashe
Pages: 204 GR (kindle ed)
Finished: Dec 5
How it fits: Part of series: The Last Picks (3 words)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: Dash is a very amusing character to read, and the rest of his crew know him so well. This was very fun.

[Diane]

I will post we are ready for new task.

[Jessica]

DeeNeez wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Completion post
Task 27 - 120. Read 8 books in series that have names that are 3 words long

Healing Choice by [author:Susi Hawke|..."

Thanks Dee! Corrected.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Just to clarify again, the tie-breaker is total number of books for the last task only.

It is not for the entire challenge - that would make me crazy to try to figure out! Especially with some tasks being page count and every team on a different path... 😳🤦🏻‍♀️😳

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 28 - 102. Read 8 books published in odd months and odd years.

For this task you are using the initial publication date. If there is a date listed at the top of the editions page use it, otherwise the qualification will be from the earliest dated English language edition. The books selected need to be published in odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November) and odd years. For example, books initially published in January 2019 and July 2017 will work, but books initially published in March 2020 and December 2019 will not.

[Diane]

I am going to try to read: A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures and The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion

[DeeNeez]

Diane wrote: "I am going to try to read: A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures and The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion"

Diane, I going to copy you and read the same books. It saves me from searching around. 😂

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

with Spell coming up, so I'm trying to cross off some of those urban fantasy series I started, I won't get back around to anything not mm until Oct or November next year probably.
I usually only have a 3 month window, and read urban fantasy, mostly non romance.

River Marked First published March 1, 2011
Frost Burned January 1, 2013

[Jessica]

Completion Post: Task 28 - 102. Read 8 books published in odd months and odd years.

The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian
Pages:327
How it fits: Published 07/2017
Date read: 6-Dec
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: This has been such a excellent series, I'm so sad it's over! Cat seems to love the mix of the sensible gentleman and the charming rogue as do I, and her storytelling and style are perfect. I feel like starting the series all over again right now which is the highest compliment I can give.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Completion Post: Task 28 - 102. Read 8 books published in odd months and odd years.

River Marked Patricia Briggs
337pg GR
Date read: 5-Dec
How it fits: Published First published March 1, 2011
4 stars
Review: Got a little more back story on Mercy's coyote.

[Diane]

Completion Post:

Task 28 - 102. Read 8 books published in odd months and odd years.


Book: A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures
Author: Shannon Mae
Pages: 198 GR (Kindle ed)
How it fits: originally published July (7th month), 2023
Date read: Dec 6
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This was quite irreverent and very cute. For a King of Hell, Asmodeus was a real sweetheart. Looking forward to reading the book about the frog demon now!

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Completion Post: Task 28 - 102. Read 8 books published in odd months and odd years.

Frost Burned Patricia Briggs
343pg GR
Date read: 6-Dec
How it fits: First published January 1, 2013
first kindle edition I see is March 5, 2013
both dates qualify
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
review: Mercy saves Adam by taking his silver poisoning into herself. But later she's got somekind of spell on her that makes her obedient. Didn't like her following orders and not acting like herself. Neither did Adam.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Oh boy. Tomorrows the last task.
If it's most books read, how does that work?
Do we just read as many books as qualifies as we can.
Or is it limited to however many books are stated in the task?

[Jessica]

Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ wrote: "Oh boy. Tomorrows the last task.
If it's most books read, how does that work?
Do we just read as many books as qualifies as we can.
Or is it limited to however many books are stated in the task?"

It will be how many books we can read that fits the task until midnight EST Sunday night. I work Saturdays and have an appointment Sunday but plan to try and read three books under 200 pages

[Diane]

It can't just be dependent on how many books we can read in two days, right? Otherwise, why would we even try to keep up with the tasks if they don't count for anything in the end? I think (HOPE) that we will be able to add the total books we read for the final category to what we already read, so we won't be restricted to just reading 4, 6 or 8 as we have for previous tasks. We still ALL have to log at least one book in the final category for it to count.

[Jessica]

Diane wrote: "It can't just be dependent on how many books we can read in two days, right? Otherwise, why would we even try to keep up with the tasks if they don't count for anything in the end? I think (HOPE) t..."

Usually there would be one team in the lead by now but as us and Books on the Rocks are tied for first, the tie breaker is whichever team reads the most books for the last task, but yes every team member must finish at least 1 book.

[Jessica]

MountainKat wrote: "Just to clarify again, the tie-breaker is total number of books for the last task only.

It is not for the entire challenge - that would make me crazy to try to figure out! Especially with some tas..."

@Diane

[Diane]

Oh, I didn't get that it was a tie breaker. Argh, we are doomed, they are so much faster than us.

[Jessica]

Diane wrote: "Oh, I didn't get that it was a tie breaker. Argh, we are doomed, they are so much faster than us."

I know but I will fight to the very end 😂

[Jessica]

Completion Post: Task 28 - 102. Read 8 books published in odd months and odd years.

The Hate You Drink by N.R. Walker
Pages:283GR
How it fits: published 05/2019
Read: 6-Dec
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: This was a hard read but addiction is never fun or entertaining. I think it's a great addiction recovery story with a side of romance. It doesn't just show addiction recovery but also recovering from being the enabler and the caretaker for an addict. I enjoyed this darker side of Walker.

[DeeNeez]

Completion Post:
Task 28 - 102. Read 8 books published in odd months and odd years.

Book 1

The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion by Jennifer Cody
Pages: 189 (kindle first edition)
How it fits: first pub Jan, 2023
Finished Dec 6
Rate ⭐️⭐️
Review
Gag me! I must be the only person who didn't like this book.
It was so sickly sweet, and so stupid dumb (and not the funny kind of dumb) …My brain still hurts.

[DeeNeez]

Completion Post:
Task 28 - 102. Read 8 books published in odd months and odd years.

Book 2

A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures by Shannon Mae
Pages: 198 GR (kindle first edition)
How it fits: Pub July 2023
Finished Dec 6
Rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
Another crazy read in this series. It was actually sweet of Lust wooing Gabe, the two actually falling in love. Grams has to be my favorite crazy. I still think the first book was the funniest so far. But I am loving this series.

[Diane]

Completion Post:

Task 28 - 102. Read 8 books published in odd months and odd years.


Book: The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion
Author: Jennifer Cody
Pages: 189 (kindle first edition)
How it fits: first pub Jan, 2023
Finished Dec 6
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I thought this one was cute (not fantastic, but cute). I was amazed at how consistent the author was able to keep the MCs voice. Very simply expressed.

[DeeNeez]

7 completed. We’re just waiting for one more 😁

[Diane]

All done. I will post our completion.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

You will get your last task in the morning!

[Jessica]

I'm nervous >.< finished work, and ready to read the night away

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

I'm in and out all day. Hoping to get my picks before we go to town for the first trip.

We have our company Christmas party tonight too.

[DeeNeez]

I got an hour or so to start picking out books before I hit the road. Hope our task comes soon!

[Diane]

I have my girlfriends party tonight so am making appetizers and wrapping presents, then just got the tree, so have to rearrange the living room and set it up. Tomorrow is somewhat quieter, but have all my kids coming over for dinner and to decorate the tree after, so tomorrow evening will be a write-off for me.

[DeeNeez]

Hoping to get an audio book picked for the trip out of town and back. Got a holiday luncheon with my gamers friends. But I’ll have this evening…and I hope tomorrow to read.

[Jessica]

Sounds like you're all going to have a fun weekend. Hope you all have a great time ☺️

[Diane]

Likewise! I honestly think this is ending at the perfect time. All focus on Christmas starting Monday!

[Diane]

OH, and polls are up for voting for the Members Choice awards in M/M Romance group. Not sure if you like doing that!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Last Task - Read a book that is MPG Holiday Romance.

The qualification for this task can be the generic 'holiday' or specific like Christmas or Halloween, but it has to be MPG. ‘Holiday’ and ‘Romance’ do not have to be combined, but both MUST be MPG.

Remember completion posts with errors or missing elements will not count towards your team total or the completion of this task. The task will be considered ‘completed’ when each team member has completed one book for this task, additional books will count towards a tie breaker if necessary. Help each other out by double checking posts are complete with the first edition Kindle page count!

There is no need to post a team completion in the Q&A thread, I will be checking all team threads at the conclusion of the challenge. 😊

[Jessica]

I'm going to read
Naughty Elf: Aster
Naughty Elf: Mistletoe
Naughty Elf: Sugar

[Diane]

I may look at those too. Gonna start with
Merry Christmas, Darling!
Magic & Mistletoe (first kindle edition 170 pages)
Love Happens Anyway

[DeeNeez]

I’m starting with Rules for Santa for my road trip.
I’ll pick out my other books when I get back home 😉

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Last Task - Read a book that is MPG Holiday Romance.
Back Where He Belongs Isobel Starling
How it qualifies
MGP
Holiday and M M Romance
150pg GR
Completed 12/7/24
4 stars
Review
Loved it. I went in blind and wasn't expecting the puppy play. But I liked it, and it was well done. Quick and sweet, returning home for the holidays.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Last Task - Read a book that is MPG Holiday Romance.

A Kiss Before Christmas A Kiss Before Christmas
157pg GR
MGP
Holiday and M M Romance
Completed 12/7/24
4 stars
Review
I do like a fake boyfriend trope.
Rory was very sweet.
Sam was a jerk, but glad he didn't take over the story.

[Diane]

OH man -- you go Skye!!!!!

[DeeNeez]

Last Task - Read a book that is MPG Holiday Romance.


Rules for Santa by Susan Hawke
Pages: 169 GR (kindle first edition)
How it fits: MPG - M M Romance, Holiday
Finished Dec 7
Rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
I love a well done age-gap, as well as a Daddy kink. And this book delivers the sweetest, warm hearted one yet. Recommend reading the books in order, it’s a wonderful series.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Awesome, but awkward.

They called for all the past employee of the years to come to the front. I thought they said employee of the month. So I walked up to the front. So when they announced I was the employee of the year, I was standing up there like I knew I had won. But I totally didn't.

So awkward...but yay! I won employee of the year.

[Jessica]

🤣 congratulations Skye! That's amazing. Hope you get a bonus as well as a title.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Last Task - Read a book that is MPG Holiday Romance.

The Christmas Deal Keira Andrews
250pg GR How it fits: MPG - M M Romance, Holiday
5 stars
completed 12/7/24
This one hit the spot. Another fake relationship.
I do hate when a MC insist he's completely strait, but sleeps with me. But no, he's not bi. He doesn't find men attractive. It's just convenient. But other than that, I really enjoyed it.

[DeeNeez]

Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ wrote: "Awesome, but awkward.

They called for all the past employee of the years to come to the front. I thought they said employee of the month. So I walked up to the front. So when they announced I was ..."

Congrats! 🎉

[DeeNeez]

Last Task - Read a book that is MPG Holiday Romance.


Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert
Pages: 158 GR (kindle first edition)
How it fits: MPG - M M Romance, Holiday
Finished Dec 7
Rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
An OK holiday read, but I have to admit it was not my favorite of the Portland series. Dealing with grief over the holidays, yet Sawyer is trying to bring the magic of Christmas back to Hollis. But after reading this the second time around, I really enjoyed it a lot more. Bumping up the stars.

[DeeNeez]

Last Task - Read a book that is MPG Holiday Romance.


A Kiss Before Christmas by A.E. Ryecart
Pages: 157 GR (kindle first edition)
How it fits: MPG - M M Romance, Holiday
Finished Dec 8
Rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
Well done! Jack may have been a humbug at start, but his heart of gold comes to life when he takes in a homeless young man. I always enjoy a good fake-boyfriend to lovers trope. And this was a really nice heart warming Christmas one. I’m looking forward to reading what happens when Rory actually meets Jack’s family.

[Jessica]

Completion Post - Last Task - Read a book that is MPG Holiday Romance.

Naughty Elf: Aster by Lorelei M. Hart
Pages: 151
Read: 7-Dec
How it fits: Romance and Christmas MPG
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Review: When I saw this series I knew I had to at least try one. I thought it could be fun but actually it just made me cringe. Maybe if the story stayed in the north pole between elves, but bringing an omega shifter and Mpreg into it was way too much. I'm giving two stars because the writing was good I'd like three hours of my life back.

[Jessica]

Completion Post - Last Task - Read a book that is MPG Holiday Romance.

Shelf-Made Man by Kim Fielding
Pages: 222
How it fits: Christmas and Romance MPG
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: This was such a pleasant surprise. I loved the fantasy elements and moving between our world and the world of elves, trolls and magic. Not like anything I've read before, especially in the Christmas genre.