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

[Jessica]

Lets do California 😁

[DeeNeez]

Yay!

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

I think California has more options.

[DeeNeez]

California it is!

[Diane]

I'm going to read Alec.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

I'm gonna go with Ramen Assassin.

[DeeNeez]

I’m going with the first Pinx Video Night Drop

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Task 8 - 53. Each teammate reads a book set in one of your teammates' home town (born in, raised in, currently live in - all work), teams decide. No pass for this task.

Ramen Assassin by Rhys Ford
Finished 10/27/24
216pg GR
How it fits: Team decided California, book is set in LA, California.
4 stars
I loved it.
It's completely OTT.
Unrealistic.
But fun as hell.

Trey's entire family drove me nuts, none more than his sister, who just would not listen.
It was a fun ride, and I can't wait for more.

[Diane]

Completion Post:
Task 8 - 53. Each teammate reads a book set in one of your teammates' home town (born in, raised in, currently live in - all work), teams decide. No pass for this task.

Hometown used: California, from Skye's small town


Book: Alec
Author: Kaje Harper
Pages: 286 GR (Kindle first ed)
Finished: Oct 27
How it fits: from precis "Alec ran from his grief over the death of his son, throwing a few things in his car and driving west. In the town of Gaynor Beach, CA, he hit the shore and stopped."
Rating: 5 stars
Review: It was a heavy topic, with Alec struggling with grief over the loss of his young son, but done so well. Joe's son Kevin was such a brilliant kid, who was so easy to love. It was beautifully written too, as expected from Kaje Harper.

[DeeNeez]

Completion Post:
Task 8 - 53. Each teammate reads a book set in one of your teammates' home town (born in, raised in, currently live in - all work), teams decide. No pass for this task.

Hometown used: California, from Skye's small town


Night Drop by Marshall Thornton
Pages: 200 GR (kindle first edition)
How it fits: setting is California. Précis states Los Angeles.
Finished Oct 27
Rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
Excellent mystery! Noah has found himself drawn into investigating the murder as the result of the LA riots. Or was it? This book it all about the mystery and the introduction of all the characters in Noah’s life. And the introduction of his future love interest. I don’t want to give away the story here, it’s a must read with an ending that leaves you wanting more!

[Jessica]

Completion Post:
Task 8 - 53. Each teammate reads a book set in one of your teammates' home town (born in, raised in, currently live in - all work), teams decide. No pass for this task.

Hometown used: California, from Skye's small town
The Backup Boyfriend by River Jaymes
Page count: 279
Read 26-Oct
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: This was such an enjoyable fake boyfriend, opposites-attract romance. Dylan started off as Alec's hero but in the end, I think it was Alec who saved Dylan. I cannot wait to read Noah's story,

[Jessica]

Completion posts for Task 8

Jessica
DeeNeez
Diane
Skye

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Jessica wrote: "Completion Post:
Task 8 - 53. Each teammate reads a book set in one of your teammates' home town (born in, raised in, currently live in - all work), teams decide. No pass for this task.

Hometown u..."

Please remember to include how your book qualifies for the task. This was easy to find, but that isn't always the case. 😊

[MountainKat, Moderator]

You are set to get a new task tomorrow.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 9 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.

Books selected for this task need to have won or been nominated for an award that is listed under 'Literary Awards' in the book details on the main book page. Please include the award/nomination in your completion posts, if there are multiple awards you only need to list the first one.

[DeeNeez]

Dang! I just finished Night Drop for the last task…and it was a Lambda award one too

Femme is on his lambda list also. Witty and funny

Some of his Boystown books won awards too… Skye 😉

I’m going to continue the Pinx Video Mysteries that won awards
Late Fees and Rewind

[Diane]

I will look at those. I have no idea how to find award winning books.

[DeeNeez]

Josh lanyon… The Hell You Say and Fair Game
CS Poe … The Mystery of the Curiosities
Rhys Ford … Murder and Mayhem and Tramps and Thieves
KJ Charles ….The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen
Lisa Henry … Adulting 101

[Jessica]

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

1st place Winner or could they be a top 3 finalist?

Marshall Thornton
Three Nick Nowak Mysteries FInalist
Murder Book Finalist
From the Ashes Finalist
Bloodlines WINNER
Femme Finalist for Lambda 2nd place Rainbow Award for Gay
Gifts Given Finalist
Night Drop WINNER
Heart’s Desire FIinalist
Late Fees: A Pinx Video Mystery WINNER
Code Name: Liberty Finalist
Rewind FInalist

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Wouldn't members-choice-winners work?
There are ton that can be found for that.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

1 A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters by Shannon Mae

Won First place for

2023 Members' Choice Awards
Best Debut Book
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Would that count?

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

oh, maybe not
listed under 'Literary Awards' in the book details on the main book page

[DeeNeez]

Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ wrote: "1st place Winner or could they be a top 3 finalist?..."

Skye, Kat’s instruction say it must be on the GR main page. Doesn’t matter if finalist or such as long as on the main page

Kat…
“Books selected for this task need to have won or been nominated for an award that is listed under 'Literary Awards' in the book details on the main book page.”

[DeeNeez]

Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ wrote: "1 A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters by Shannon Mae

Won First place for

2023 Members' Choice Awards
Best Debut Book
https://www.goodreads.com/top..."

No

“Books selected for this task need to have won or been nominated for an award that is listed under 'Literary Awards' in the book details on the main book page.”

[Jessica]

I'm going to read The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen and We Could Be So Good

[Diane]

I have read all those Dee, but will look at the ones Jessica listed. So far, from my tbr I have found the following:

Home Before Sundown
Pictures of You
Something Fabulous

[Jessica]

I've posted 24 options above which are either Goodreads Choice nominees or Lambda nominees

[Jessica]

Pause! Rainbow awards have some great options. Will add more to the list

[Jessica]

There's way too many good options to add them all but you can browse.

https://www.librarything.com/award/43...

[Jessica]

Final choice: The Magpie Lord and Hair Balls

[Diane]

That was very helpful. I'm going to start with Geoffrey the Very Strange then maybe Hair Balls too, if we need a second.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

I can't start for a while.
But i'm looking at
The Ghost and Charlie Muir or
Lay Your Sleeping Head

While I was at work, I was posting notes to myself on my challenge tracker....But when I got home they weren't there.

I think I posted a bunch of nonsense to one of my challenge threads. I don't even know where I post just a list of books.
People are probably thinking I'm crazy.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

I’ve got 1st book done. And 1/2 way through a 2nd one

[Diane]

Completion Post:

Task 9 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.


Book: Geoffrey the Very Strange
Author: Angel Martinez
Pages: 150 GR (Kindle ed)
Finished: Oct 29
How it fits: (from main book page) Literary awards:
Rainbow Award for Gay Fantasy Romance (tied) (2021)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: Such a sweet fun book. I forgot it was part of the Magic Emporium series until the shop showed up in the middle of the story.

[Diane]

I will start a second one just in case we need it. Don't want Dee to feel too pressured!

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Completion Post:

Task 9 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.
Bourbon Street Blues
212pg GR
completed 10/29/24
How it fits
Lambda Literary Award for Gay Mystery (2003)
rating 4 stars
It's been so long since I've read a paper book...I didn't realize how much I miss turning the pages.

I really enjoyed the characters, and the setting. When the action started, it stayed pretty fast paced.
The romance is low, but that's good. I like when a series builds up to the romance. I want to see the whole thing unfold, not just jump into the HEA. It's more interesting to see the bonds unfold over a few books.

Scotty isn't one to settle down with one person. I'm glad he's giving it a shot, without jumping in to soon. He's also not one to stay out of trouble. I'm very interested in reading more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

re-read. So OTT. But I still liked it. I hope I get further in the series this time.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

Completion Post:
Task 9 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.

Lay Your Sleeping Head Michael Nava
278pg GR
Completed 10/29/24
How it fits Lambda Literary Award Nominee for Gay Mystery (2017)
rating 4 stars
I wasn't feeling the original romance couple.
But then, since he died, I'm kind of glad I didn't.
Henry wouldn't let go til he got to the bottom of the mystery.
I like mystery, and the possibility of a relationship.

I like when books marked as historical, are from a time frame I remember, even if I barely remember because I was so young. But it also makes me feel old to have them labeled as historical.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

about a week ago I read Dead Serious Case #1: Miz Dusty Le Frey
and was stunned when a character I pictured as a little old lady.... was only 47!
Now reading historical set in my childhood.
GAH! I'm not that dang old.

[DeeNeez]

Completion Post:
Task 9 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award


Late Fees by Marshall Thornton
Pages: 222 GR (first Kindle edition)
How it fits: Literary awards: Lambda Literary Award for Gay Mystery (2018)
Rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
It’s Thanksgiving and Noah’s mom flys in for a visit. Which brings murder and mayhem in for the holiday. I laugh when all his friends, even his mother, drag poor Noah into investigate the murder. This series has a riot of characters which I adore, except maybe Leon. He is a bit of of a snob, but every group of friends has one. I just wish Noah has a bit more romance coming his way.

[Diane]

I have finished a second book and would be happy to post it. Let me know!

[Diane]

Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ wrote: "about a week ago I read Dead Serious Case #1: Miz Dusty Le Frey
and was stunned when a character I pictured as a little old lady.... was only 47!
Now reading historical set in my ch..."

It is pretty scary to think that we remember times that are now considered "historical."

[DeeNeez]

Completion Post:
Task 9 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award


Rewind by Marshall Thornton
Pages: 196 GR (kindle first edition)
How it fits: Literary awards
Lambda Literary Award Nominee for Gay Mystery (2019)
Finished Oct 30
Rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
Poor Noah, he finally gets brave enough to start dating, only to wake up and his date murdered in bed with him! Again our boys are out to prove Noah is innocent and find the killer. Excellent mystery! Had me second guessing every suspect till the very end. And yes, tall, dark and still very handsome Detective Javier is on the case.

[Jessica]

Diane wrote: "I have finished a second book and would be happy to post it. Let me know!"

Yes please if you could Diane. I'll be posting one shortly.

[Jessica]

Completion Post:
Task 9 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award

Hair Balls by Tara Lain
How it fits: Literary awards
Rainbow Award for Gay Contemporary Romance (2021)
Read: 30-Oct
Page count: 248
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Review: It's not a bad book but I probably won't remember it by tomorrow. A bit predictable, the characters weren't interesting and the ending felt incomplete.

[Diane]

Looks like we don't need it. I can post we are ready for the new task.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

At the airport and on my phone, will check books later.

Here is your next task!

Task 10 - 28. Each teammate reads a book from a teammate's to-read shelf, no pass for this task.

Everyone picks a book off a teammate's 'to-read' shelf, or variation of that shelf such as 'read-next'. You can choose any teammate's shelf to select your book. Please include a link to the teammate's to-read shelf in your completion posts.

[Diane]

Mine is my tbr-mm shelf.

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

I can link
I have a shelf named m-m
There are read and unread books on it. Because I tend to reread. So you might have to sort for books without a star rating for unread books

[DeeNeez]

My tbr should be all MM… there might be a couple I missed moving out to non-mm 🤣

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...