Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2011 Challenge Archive
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April - Pick It For Me Challenge

- Big Thanks again for all that volunteered to help out with the re-mix, I didn't need everyone that volunteered but I do appreciate the offers.
√ 4 Photojim(80)pick for 6Alexis(14)
√ 11 Jane (PS)(32) pick for 24 Debbie (101)
√ 7 Megan(38) pick for 27 Joyce(79)
√ 22 Elke ( 22) pick for 33 Yz the Whyz (418)
√ 107 Miss (57) pick for 64 Melissa (jandmterry) (38)
√ 106 Michelle M (23) pick for 65 BJ Rose (130)
√ 17 Gigi ( 153 ) pick for 66 taita (1)
√ 28 Tugce Nida (37) pick for 68 Lady Allison St. Vincent (84)
√ 10 Inga (26) pick for 69 Katie (103)
√ 115 Becky ( 30 ) pick for 73 comfort - private (101)
1 Tania ( 43 ) pick for 87 Shona (63)
√ 2 Delicious Dee (327) pick for 101 Toya (0)
√ 91 Melissa ** (23) pick for 112 Melanie (115)
√ 19 Fran (64) pick for 67 Valerie (Varuca1) (21)
√ 14 D.G. ~The Devil's Harlot~ ( 94 ) pick for 122 Jess (riotxjess) (13)
√ 55 Autumn (125) pick for 120 Monica (12)
√ 6 Alexis(14) pick for 76 Cathy C (80)
√ 111 Isabella (5) pick for 45 Vonny (101)

I don't see any rec's for me yet and I still can't get to Lori to make rec's for her. :)
Cathy C

Thanks Lisa Kay:-) I hope Lucy'll find something that'll interest her:-D



Hi, Monica. I am working on your recommendations now. I hurt my wrist; so the typing is slow going, but I am working on it.

No problem take your time. Thank you for volunteering to do more picks


I've tried to stick to your TBR for the most part.
Friends: Hummingbird by LaVyrle Spencer
This was recommended to me by a GR friend and I loved it. I'm not a huge americana and/or western HR fan, but I became a quick fan of LaVyrle's HR's.
Romance: Wow, I had a hard time picking one for this one, but The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley or Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean.
Intense: The Conqueror by Brenda Joyce or Addicted by Charlotte Featherstone. Both are very intense books- The Conqueror because of the period in which the book took place and Addicted for other reasons related to the books title.
Emotion: Well, this book's ending is a little controversial. However, I can honestly say that this book had me laughing and crying. There was one part that literally almost had me in tears...ok, maybe literally in tears..a little bit lol! A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
New: Black Ice by Anne Stuart
I noticed that this was on your TBR and it appears to be your only romantic suspense book. So, new to you in terms of the genre. If you're in the mood for a book heavy on action and light on romance..this is the book for you. I really loved the hero!
Don't Forget: The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt.
I've recently read this one and enjoyed it.
Support: The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux
I've been putting this off too long and I really loved Knight in Shining Armor. So, if you pick the Black Lyon, I would love to read this with you.
Bonus (friendships): The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Friends : “Wicked Lovely” by Melissa Marr (I was disappointed in the sequel but really enjoyed the first one!)
Romance : “Dream Fever” by Karen Marie Moning (It doesn’t start off as your “traditional” romance, but, my goodness, it was worth the wait when it becomes one!)
Intense : “After the Night” by Linda Howard (I HATED Gray when I first read this book. Sadly, now he’s on the list of “fictional characters…”). “Death Angel” (on your TBR list) is another one that was intense for me. I have others if that’s not your cuppa.
Emotions : “It” by Stephen king (Scared the crap out of me!) If you don’t wanna go there (and who could blame you??), let me know.
“Open Season” and “Dream Man” by Linda Howard (I LOL’d and cringed throughout both books.)
New : “Naked in Death” by J.D. Robb (Roark is at the top of my “willing to leave my husband for a fictional character” list. Just kidding…kinda!)
Don’t forget “Dark Lover” by J.R. Ward (The series is getting a little wonky for me after number 8, but it’s so darned good I might just give the newest one a try!)
Support : “Lover Mine” by J.R. Ward (I just couldn’t finish it, but it’s the only one we BOTH haven’t read. I can wait for you on this one if you’d like. Let me know.)
Bonus : The Secret Life of Bees bySue Monk Kidd (I don’t THNK I ever read it, but I’m trying to read thing other than “romance”-I don’t know WHY!!-and this popped up in my “friendship” search. Feel free to say “no way,” and we’ll go back to the drawing board.)

Let me know when you want to start the Blaze.
Drq I actually read the sequel, Sweet Charity, first. Since To Do List was cheap on Kobo, I picked it up. Love Lauren Dane. Haven't read a bad story by her.
*sigh* I wish Kobo did pre-orders. But, I will have it ready to go then. And there is going to be a fifth book! Yay! Love my stock car racers.

I had a great time in amongst your shelves. I tried to stick to you 'to-be-read' pile but two of the categories have all new to you authors in them (I gave you two choices in these categories) :)
*drum-roll*
Friend's recommendation: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione. Valerie recommended this to me last PIFM and it was a great read. It had been on my TBR for so long and I don't know why I hadn't picked it up earlier. I know you like JR Ward - some ppl compare it to the BDB series, but I felt is was different in its own right. I think you should give it a go.
Romance: Two historical romances NOT on your TBR
At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker. This is straight (historical) romance (with a few laughs) with no pretensions to be anything other than 'romance'. I loved it.
The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer, the queen of historical romance. You don't have any of her books in your 'library'. She has great characterisation and writing style mixed with fun storylines. 'Romance' in an earlier meaning of the word.
Intense: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. What a great start to a great series. I loved the first book.
Emotions: Tempted by Megan Hart. I haven't read this book, but it looks as if it would be quite confronting (as well as sexy!).
New: New to you authors and one new genre!
Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair. Sci-fi romance with action. This is such a great story with an adorable hero who has craved the h from a distance for quite a time...
Guardian Of Honor by Robin D Owens. Fantasy. I am yet to read this book but I have the first four in the series lined up for when I have time. You have some similar looking books in your read pile, so I thought this might suit.
Don't forget: Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh. I love everything Singh writes. You read Slave to Sensation over a year ago and really like it (might have to do a reread!) - time to read the next book in the series.
*late edit* The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter. I forget to add this in! You really enjoy Showalter's books - get back onto this series!
Support: Passion by Lisa Valdez. We have heaps of books in common, but this is the only book we both have on our TBR list (that has been published). I nearly read this last month but ran out of time. I'd be willing to buddy read this if you are interested!
Bonus (friendship fiction): Shadow Game by Christine Feehan. C'mon! It's Christine Feehan! You've got to read the Ghostwalker series. This first book sets up the series - whilst is wasn't my favourite, it is definitely worth reading.
16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber. I haven't read this, but it seems to be all about friendship. You love this author. Plus I have a feeling you are reading this in April anyway ;)
BTW Debbie, I think you should do a 'Create Your Own Challenge' in 2012 based on whittling down your TBR pile selecting books with the word 'bride' in the title!! ;)

I had fun going through your shelves- we have a lot in common and I hope you find something you like- if not, I would be happy to pick again :)
1. Friends- Fever by Kimberly Dean- I see you read some erotica (like me) and this was recommended to me for a previous PIFM- HOT. Or Master of the Mountain- Cherise Sinclair is always good and I enjoyed this one. One more- When Irish Eyes Are Sparkling by Tom Collins- you have read only a few m/m but if you like them, this is awesome, I loved every character.
2. Romance- Mountain Dreams by Cheryl Holt- you seem to like Contemporary Romance and this is one of my favorites. Or Unraveled by Jaci Burton- you have read several by her and I love this one- short but sweet love story.
3. Intense- Lovely Wicked- have heard this is great and intense- and on your tbr. Or The Road by Cormac McCarthy- I recently read this and it is so disturbing and thought provoking and amazing.
4. Emotions- Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern- laugh out loud funny and you can feel the love he has for his family leap off the page. Or And One Last Thing ... or The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf- these are on your tbr and look very cute.
5. New To You- Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione- new series by an author you seem to enjoy. Or A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness- new author- heard good things about this one.
6. Don't Forget- The Trouble With Paradise or Paradise Awakening- these have both been on your tbr for awhile. I have read them both and loved them both! They are both fun, sexy reads.
7. Buddy Read- Raising the Stakes by Jess Dee- you and I have both read the first one, Going All In, and liked it, so let's read the next one together!
8. Friend Fiction- Lover Unleashed (I had to find a place for this!)- a band of brothers united forever. Or Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead- the first book in a fantastic YA series about the friendship between 2 girls, one vampire and one dampir.

Friends Faefever I chose Faefever because I was recommended the series as a whole by a friend. I haven't actually read this one yet, I've only had time to read the first one, but I really enjoyed it and I saw that you have really seemed to enjoy her other books that you have read.
Romance Virgin River I just recently read this book and when I saw it in your to read list I knew I'd have to sneak it in somewhere. This is such a sweet romance. I fell in love with the characters and the town. It was one of those books where I HAD to read the second book immediately so that I could find out what would happen.
Intense The Hunger Games I've seen this book come up so many times this month but I'm going to use it again. This book will keep you turning the pages all night long. It's an amazing book and I didn't want to read it when I first picked it up but figured I had to give it a try. I really think everyone needs to pick up this book at least once.
Emotions The Pact This book will make you cry all over the book. Or I saw that you've read and enjoyed a few Janet Evanovich books and she makes me laugh so if you want to continue with herTo the Nines seems to be the next in the series before you skipped ahead.
New Depends on where you want to go with this Lover Unleashed is a new release of an amazing series. Also a new author that you haven't read and I love is H.P. Mallory. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble is her first and best book so far so I hope you will enjoy it.
Don't Forget Night Secrets has been on your to read list since September 1, 2009 so don't forget it!
Support White Heat is a book that we both have on our to read lists that I have really been excited to read. If you'd like to read this with me just let me know when you won't to begin and we will figure it out from there!
Bonus I have not yet read The Castaways but I plan to. It's about four couples and best friends during a summer that changes their lives forever. You can read the summary yourself but it sounds really good and it is another book I have on my to read list.
p.s. I had a ton of fun going through your lists! We seem to have a lot of similar books so I hope you will enjoy a couple of my picks for you. I found a bunch of new books for myself while searching through your shelves so thank you for that!

Thank you so much! Take your time :) I've got a busy day tomorrow so no need to rush in posting them I probably won't see them till the evening anyways. I'm so excited to see what you choose for me! :)

Friends : City of Bones (book one of the Immortal Instruments series)
Romance : The Dark Visions series by L.J. Smith (3 books in one)
Intense : Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Emotions : Burned by Ellen Hopkins
New : The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (actually, the sequel, Desires of the Dead, is new, but you have to read this one before you read the sequel)
Don’t forget : Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia
Support : The Missing by Shiloh Walker
Bonus : Evermore by Alyson Noel

Everything is done in this thread, but if you feel more comfortable PMing recs, please let me know so that person is no..."
how do you know if your partner recommended books for you?

Time difference will keep you waiting for few more hours :) It's not so nice Sunday morning in Lithuania, so I'll do your picks ASAP. However, you have a huge list of books and it'll tak..."
hey inga! take your time :) i'm glad i'll be getting picks soon!




I'm totally not into M-M and look what I find on your shelves!!! That and some :) Scary at first but horizon expanding at the end ;)
I tried to pick as many boo..."
perfect, inga!! i know i've got mostly m/m on my shelves, but i still read het and i love finding new authors! i also don't mind getting rec's that aren't on my shelves. that being said, thanks for giving me so many choices that were already there :) i'm going to try to read as many of these as i can, but officially i'm going with Contact Point.

Friends
The Help - I just did this as a buddy read with some friends and really loved the book
In Cold Pursuit: A Mystery From The Last Continent - this author was recommended to me from a friend on Amazon and I really enjoyed the book
Slave to Sensation - the first book in the psy-changling series - don't let the funky cover scare you, its a great beginning to a unique series
Romance
Secrets of a Summer Night - nobody does romance like Lisa Klepyas - this is the first book in her wallflowers series
Simply Irresistible - the first book in rachel gibson's ice hockey series - cute and lite hearted
Intense
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - I just finished this series up...wow
Outlander - Jamie and Claire...one of the best couples of all time
Emotions
Firefly Lane - I was completely bawling by the end of this book - so make sure you have a box of tissues available
Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings - LOL funny
New
Oh. My. Gods. - a YA featuring the greek gods/goddesses
Goddess of the Rose - a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast
Faith & Fidelity - this is M/M, but just to push the boundaries a bit as an option
Don't Forget
The Girl Who Chased the Moon - a cute, light hearted read
Marked - I just finished this one up the other day, but enjoyed the unique spin on a paranormal
Support
i'm planning on reading both of these books in the upcoming month, so let me know if you want to as well
The Iron Duke
The Second Duchess
Bonus
The House on Olive Street - about a group of friends dealing with the death of a fellow friend and writer
Vision in White - no one does friendship like Nora Roberts - this is the first in her Wedding Quartet
I hope something here works, if not let me know and I'll see what else I can come up with.

Friends : So about a year or so ago I was out with my wife for lunch when I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in a couple of years. We got to talking and my wife wanted to let my friend know that I had been spending too much time reading romance novels to have kept up with a photography blog I used to run. My friend couldn't believe that I'd never read a Nora Roberts book. "How can you claim to read romance and never have read the queen of romance!?" she yelled. Reaching into her bag she pulled out Northern Lights and handed it to me. Since then I've read seven other of her books written as Nora Roberts and all 32 of her In Death books written as J.D. Robb. So I pass on this recommendation to you. May it read to good reading for you as well.
Romance : Just the Sexiest Man Alive - I see this hanging out on your TBR shelf. I forget who it was that recommended this to me, but it turned out to be a surprisingly good read. I don't usually like the fell in love with a movie star trope but this was really good.
Intense : For my first venture outside of your TBR, I'm going to go with Halfway to the Grave. I don't see any PNR on your shelves and it may not be your thing at all. However, it was sent to me by another GR friend who said I should give it a shot. All I can say is what a wild ride! If you are looking for a little vampire lovin' this is great.
Emotions : I find it hard to have this category and not recommend Cry No More. I can't think of another book that I've recommended to people that they almost invariably stop at some point in the book and say, 'I don't know if I can finish this.' and then they do and they love it. There will be tears, but in a good way. But I really think you would like Nation. Terry Pratchet is a long time fantasy writer who wrote an amazing YA novel.
New : I don't see much in the way of PNR on your shelves but I guess I already made a PNR suggestion. What else is missing? I see no SF, no westerns, no military history, no culinary mysteries, no horror, and no erotica. Which direction do you think we should push your boundaries? I pick horror. Heart-Shaped Box was another PIFM challenge rec to me that turned out well. Not too horrific but still creepy enough for fun.
Don’t forget : Your oldest book on your TBR has been sitting since ... Feb of this year? Oh, that's when you joined. So here is one I think you should read to keep a series going - Lip Service. I enjoyed the Lone Star Sister's series but this is the most frustrating of the heroines. Still plenty of good parts.
Support : I see that you've read a few Susan Mallery books and have really enjoyed them. I've read a few too and have liked most of them. The Best of Friends is one of the few non-harlequin Mallery books I haven't read yet. I'm sure I'll be reading it this month. Why don't you join me?
Bonus : What series of books exemplifies what it means to be friends and family? What series makes me laugh out loud as you seem to enjoy doing? What series did I look at and say, 'I'm not starting a series with that many books!' and left me saying, 'I want more!'? I'll tell you - J.D. Robb's In Death series that all starts with Naked in Death. The first book is decent. The second book is better. By the time you get to the third the character interactions have sucked you in. 32 books later I just can't want to stop.
So I hope I have something good for you here. Scratch that. I know I have some good stuff here. I hope I have something you'll like here. But if you need something else, just say the word. Let me know what you pick.










Thanks again!

It was a pleasure to pick for you. Like me, you seem to like almost every romance genre so most of my recommendations below are from some of my favorite romances. I went a bit crazy and gave you two of each category. I tried my best to mix a few standalones with the first in series. Hope you find something in there you like!
Friends:
A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson. This was a fantastic clean historical romance recommended by a friend a few months ago. I loved it.
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost. This is an amazing UF series, recommended to me by like a gazillion friends in this group.
Romance:
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. This is my favorite paranormal series (right now I'm reading book #9.) Don't be taken by the cheesy cover...the book is worthy.
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas. I loved this book. Don't let it gather more dust in your TBR!
Intense:
Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare
Across a Moonlit Sea by Marsha Canham.
The first one is by far, the best romantic suspense series I've ever read and the second one is the best pirate book I've ever read. The action in both is very exciting and kept me at the edge of my seat.
Emotions:
Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale. This book broke my heart.
Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James. This is a really fun romantic comedy by one of my new favorite authors.
New:
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs - Great UF series with a really smart, brave heroine which I'd love to have as a friend.
Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas. I can't believe I didn't see anything by LK in your bookshelves! She's my favorite author and this is probably my favorite of her books.
Don’t forget:
A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught. You gave 5-stars to Whitney, My Love, isn't it time to read the first book in that series?
Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin. This is the oldest book in your TBR. Now's the time to pick it up!
Support:
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson.
Faith & Fidelity by Tere Michaels.
The first one is YA, the second is M/M and they both got really good reviews. I'm planning to read them both this month...please let me know if you'd like to join me.
Bonus:
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June by Robin Benway
I haven't read either but they are both from your TBR and they look really good. :)


















I hope I found something here you might like! We both love paranormal, so it was pretty easy to pick. Let me know if you need something else.
Friends: Soulless by Gail Carriger - I see this one on your TBR list, and it was recommended all over the place on GR. I actually listened to this one on audiobook and I highly recommend that format since it looks like you enjoy those too. The narrator is amazing and I was laughing a lot through it.
Romance: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh - Go ahead and take the plunge into the Psy/Changeling world. It completely consumed my life after I read the first one for about two weeks.
Intense: Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan - This one was recommended here on GR, and I'm so glad I read it. Turned out to be one of my favorite reads of 2010, and it is super intense.
Emotional: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen - I try to recommend Allen for every PIFM challenge if the person hasn't read her. She is one of my favorite new authors, and this book about two sisters is pretty emotional and magical. I know you will love it!
New, New, New: Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian - This is on your list as being on your Nook already. Pull it up and read it!! You can't go wrong with hot vampire warriors. The series gets better and better with each book.
Don't Forget: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling - You've read the first four, but you MUST continue. It really starts getting good from here. You can slot this one under emotional, too. HP is and always will be the best series I've ever read.
Support: One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - I've been putting this one off for ages, but I'll happily read it with you this month if you like!
Bonus: Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts - A whole series about friendship, and the beginning to one of my very favorite Nora Roberts trilogies. I've re-read it multiple times!

Friends : So about a year or so ago I was out with my wife for lunch when I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in a couple of years. We got to talking and my wife w..."
Thank you so much for the picks photojim! you were completely right about my total lack of anything outside my typical reading realm. That'swhy I'm so excited to start this challenge and get pushed!
I will definitely be reading


I think I'm going to try

Thank you so much for your choices they've been great and I look forward to reading them!

Everything is done in this thread, but if you feel more comfortable PMing recs, please let me know ..."
On page 1 the participants list will indicates if you have received and/or given recommendations. Looking at your name, you have not recieved any yet, but since I did just do the re-mix and you have made your recs I will get someone to do them for you.
Books mentioned in this topic
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The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (other topics)
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The Black Lyon (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Lara Adrian (other topics)Susan Elizabeth Phillips (other topics)
Nalini Singh (other topics)
Nalini Singh (other topics)
Larissa Ione (other topics)
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Dang it all (that's my okie slang coming through when I am frustrated with myself) - I WILL FIX it