Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2011 Challenge Archive
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December - Pick it For Me! Challenge
Vi, I'm glad you said something. I just wasted 20 minutes going through Diane's extensive Read shelf. Good news, if I ever get Diane, I have a better idea of her tastes.Brett, I'll have your picks up tonight.
Cacophony, I will have your picks up by tomorrow!!
Hi Isabella, I am working on your picks tonight and should have them posted tomorrow. Looking forward to this.
Elke I have your picks,If they are too unbearable I can give it another go :)
Nice
Winter Solstice: Fury
Summer Solstice: The Days of Summer just seems so fitting!
Serie's Clean-up Either the two you have in your to-read next, This side of the Grave & One Grave at a time or The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest to finish the series
Naughty
Many Yearly Challenges: Virgin River
Favorite Book: Angels' Blood Can't believe you haven't read a book by Nalini Singh! I was introduced to her on one of these challenges and I absolutely love her!
A blushing read Well... Long, hard ride & Backstage pass are out as you have already read them... There is either Love My Way which made me "blush" as its about BDSM which is very blush-worthy, or The Warlord Wants Forever
Buddy Reads
Book that I've bought recently: Well... downloaded free from Amazon... Come Monday or Spying in High Heels
Christmas Read Spotted this on your to read and it looks interesting! Twas The Night or All I Want for Christmas is You is available for download on Amazon (Free too I think?)
Hope there is something in there for you!
MountainKat,Well, I had an interesting time doing your picks. I kept wanting to recommend books you've already read. Good sign or just proof that you've read everything? :-)
Nice
1. Winter Solstice: Go the Fuck to Sleep (52pp) or The Warlord Wants Forever (113pp)- Both are short and really amusing.
2. Summer Solstice: Gone With the Wind (1,011 pp)- I haven't actually read this one.
3. Series Clean-up: Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night- Probably one of my favorite of Cole's books. Or, Bloodfever because the series just keeps getting better.
Naughty
4. Many yearly challenges: Surrender- A great PIFM read with an unusual setting. Or, Moon Called- Because everyone could use another series to start. ;-)
5. Favorite Book of the Year: The Iron Duke- I just love the way Brook writes and this is such a good first introduction to her style. Or, Your Scandalous Ways- The first words in the first chapter are “Penises. Everywhere.” :-D It's a terribly entertaining book that isn't too serious.
6. A read that made you blush: Riding the Storm- You've read all the other books I planned on recommending here.
Buddy Reads
7. Book Buying: Mind Games or Warrior
8. Christmas Read: I despise Christmas. So, I'm choosing a book that reflects my Christmas feelings. Death Warmed over: Funeral Food, Rituals & Customs from Around World. Or, from your TBR list, Holiday Bound.
@DeeI looked and Im not see my name listed. It has been a long day lol am I skipping over myself?
Dee,Wow, no pressure here...yikes!
Hope you find something in here that you want to read this month:
Nice -
1. Winter Solstice - recommend a book from your partner's to-read list that is short: How about Bending the Rules by Jack Greene, at 39 pages, not the shortest on your tbr, but certainly short…you already own it and both the subject matter and the cover are intriguing (especially since you like to work out) or you could try The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross, at 78 pages it’s a tad longer, but looks to be a prologue so you can decide if you want to tackle The Girl in the Steel Corset.
2. Summer Solstice - recommend a long book from your partners to-read list: Maybe try Conquest by S.J. Frost, which at 441 is not too terrible, but the longest on the owned already list, or Devices and Desires by K.J. Parker, weighing in at 720 pages it’s heftier, the first of a trilogy (about engineers? Exciting), but not as weighty as the mammoth Count of Monte Cristo on your list.
3. Series Clean-up - Recommend a series from your partner's to-read list that they can get caught up on: Hmm, not really to get caught up necessarily, but you liked Kushiel’s Dart, so why not tackle the next one in the series, Kushiel's Chosen.
Naughty -
4. Many yearly challenges - recommend a book that you read for a previous challenge this year (PIFM or other) that you enjoyed: One of my favorite challenge books from this year was: Broken by Shiloh Walker, it is the 2nd book of the series, but I didn't miss the first book by reading the 2nd (I didn't even really like the first book all that much when I went back and read it to satisfy my reading OCD).
5. Favorite Book of the Year - recommend a book that year that you would rank in your top 5 (or so): When You Dare by Lori Foster, parts of this book were...silly, but I listened to it as an audio book and it was...hawt, so I bought the thing. Which for me, is a major committment.
6. A read that made you blush - what's being naughty without reading a book that makes you blush - recommend one for your partner: Okay, this is a tough category because really, blushing is overrated. I just don't do it. But maybe I should blush to admit which books are my fave, so why don't you consider trying: Bound to Please by Lilli Fiesty, a book I should perhaps blush while admitting that I read in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down...
Buddy Read:
7. Book Buying - recommend a book you bought recently (that you maybe shouldn't have) that you would like to read: So as mentioned above, I don't actually buy books that I haven't read (weird, huh?), but a book I nearly bought recently was: Collide by Megan Hart, we've both enjoyed her before, so I'd be willing to go back to the store and splurge, if you want to buddy read it.
8. Christmas Read - pick a christmas-y book to buddy read with your partner: Is it possible that you haven't read Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor By Lisa Kleypas? Do you hate Kleypas? Did we both just miss the bus last year? I've had this on my shelf for a year (it was a Christmas gift last year) and have just never gotten around to it, so, if you're game, I am.
Hopefully you'll find something above that interests you and thanks for all you do around here!
I must have missed you - but I can fix that ;)Emily wrote: "@Dee
I looked and Im not see my name listed. It has been a long day lol am I skipping over myself?"
Awesome! Thank you :)Dee wrote: "I must have missed you - but I can fix that ;)
Emily wrote: "@Dee
I looked and Im not see my name listed. It has been a long day lol am I skipping over myself?""
Vi... we meet again! lol I'll go through and have your picks in a couple of hours.
wow Kerste - I think this is the quickest i've ever had picks!! lol!!i'm going to try for When You Dare and maybe Bound to Please - I don't know if I will have time to do a buddy read this month - but I have read the Lisa Kleypas - its probably lost on my shelves somewhere - i'm waiting for book 2 due out in February
Macwolf01 [Elise]I hope you find something that you like!
1. Winter Solstice – Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story
2. Summer Solstice – A Game of Thrones or The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
3. Series Clean-up – Pleasure of a Dark Prince or Dead to the World
4. Many yearly challenges – Good Girls Don't or In It To Win It
5. Favorite Book of the Year – Talk Me Down or Beyond the Highland Mist
6. A read that made you blush – Backstage Pass
7. Book Buying – Cowboy Casanova
8. Christmas Read – I'll Be Home for Christmas
Wow! Some of you folks are Fast!!Eimeriina, I'll do my best to get your picks done tonight.
Dawn,I had fun going through your lists!
1. Winter Solstice
Highland Destiny by Laura 'Highland Hussy' Hunsaker.
It is only 201 pages and it looks interesting!
2. Summer Solstice
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia.
This one has 563 pages! Of your long books, this is one that I have read and enjoyed.
3. Series Clean-up
Claimed By Shadow by Karen Chance.
You’ve read the first one in the series, and have this in your tbr. It’s one of my favorite series so I think it would be fun for you to read the next one.
4. Many yearly challenge
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman.
This was my recommendation from last month and I really liked it.
5. Favorite Book of the Year
In looking at my top reads from this year, I realize they are all series books! I need to break out of my rut! So, this is one of the books I did enjoy that was not from a series.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer.
6. A read that made you blush
Some of my books that made me blush are, again, series books. But this one made me blush just because of the things that were discussed, as well as making me laugh!
The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love by Jill Conner Browne.
Buddy Read
7. Book Buying
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton.
This just came out and I love these books. It's a series though, so you may not want to read this one. Or, you may want to start at the beginning!
8. Christmas Read
A Regency Holiday by Allison Lane, Alicia Rasley (Goodreads Author), Lynn Kerstan, Rebecca Hagan Lee
I hope one of these books sparks your interest for this month!
Sue-
and i'll get yours to you Christine either tonight or tomorrow (hopefully)
December Picks for ~Megan~Hopefully something intrigues you enough to pick them up this month!
Nice -
1. Winter Solstice (Short Book from Your TBR List) -
I'm a nut for most things written by Jeaniene Frost, and I see that you have a novella from her Night Huntress World still TBR, so how about Devil to Pay.
OR
I see your a big fan of the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian. A novella in the series (#9.5) comes out Dec. 5th A Taste of Midnight.
2. Summer Solstice (Long Book from Your TBR List) -
I enjoyed this almost 500 page book; it read like an epic traveling adventure. Great characters too! Graceling by Kristin Cashore
3. Series Clean-up -
You got me started on the In Death series, and though I'm not as far in as you are, I'm enjoying it immensely (especially Roarke). So how about moving on to the next in the series this month? It looks like you're up to read #23, Born in Death by J.D. Robb
Naughty
4. Many Yearly Challenges -
This might be a bit of a stretch, but you seemed to really like the YA book, Divergent, so I thought I would offer up another YA book. Heist Society by Ally Carter. I found it to be fast paced and a fun caper movie-type book. It was a quick read too.
OR
If YA doesn't pull you, I just finished a western, Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath. The hero was pretty unique, which was refreshing.
5. Favorite Book of the Year -
This one was really hard because most of my favorites this year, you've already read! lol. There is one book that was out of my comfort zone (and I didn't see this type a lot on your lists), which simply blew me away. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley was a beautiful read. The writing just sorta swept me away.
6. A read that made me blush -
I wasn't really prepared for Behind Closed Doors by Shannon McKenna. lol. It was very steamy and aggressive, in my opinion.
Buddy Read
7. Book Buying -
I've seen you mention a desire to read Skin Game by Ava Gray, so I checked it out and bought it. Wouldn't this be perfect timing to jump into it?
OR
Since we both LOVED Anna and the French Kiss, you might want to read Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins with me?
8. Christmas Read -
Christmas and a sexy cover, what more could be asked for from the holidays! North of Need by Laura Kaye looks very interesting and I loved her novella, Hearts in Darkness. It looks like you did too!
Leslie wrote: "Hi Isabella, I am working on your picks tonight and should have them posted tomorrow. Looking forward to this."HEY LESLIE,
Thanks for the add!! I'm happy to have you picking for me and I'm waiting patiently tomorrow will be just fine :)
Debbie,I'm hopping I gave you something you like. I've been working on this since the list came out so if you don't like anything let me know and I'll try something else.
1. Winter Solstice - the Winter Solstice will occur on Dec 22 and is the shortest day of a year - recommend a book from your partner's to-read list that is short. Lone Star Baby In my mind 217 pages is a short book but some might not consider this short.
2. Summer Solstice - at the same time, the summer solstice, or the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere - recommend a long book from your partners to-read list The Moment
3. Series Clean-up - at the end of the year, I like doing a review of various series I have in progress and get caught up. Recommend a series from your partner's to-read list that they can get caught up on. Devil Takes a Bride
4. Many yearly challenges - recommend a book that you read for a previous challenge this year (PIFM or other) that you enjoyed Virgin River I just read this for Novembers pick and really liked it.
5. Favorite Book of the Year - recommend a book that year that you would rank in your top 5 (or so) Mr. Perfect This is another one I just read from last months pick and it def went on my top 5
6. A read that made you blush - what's being naughty without reading a book that makes you blush - recommend one for your partner Be Mine Tonight
7. Book Buying - recommend a book you bought recently (that you maybe shouldn't have) that you would like to read,
This one was hard for me because all the books I've bought lately I've already read or they were for books that were in series so I went with a book on your TBR that I wouldn't mind reading because I love Susan Mallery books Wild West Wife
8. Christmas Read - pick a Christmas-y book to buddy read with your partner When Christmas ComesWhen Christmas Comes
Hi Isabelle, here are your picks. I think I found some good ones. If you don't like any of them, let me know and I will look again. I had alot of fun picking for you.Nice - From your TBR pile:
1. Winter Solstice - This is the shortest book I saw.The Road
2. Summer Solstice - You had several long books, but I love Ken Follett's writing. Fall of Giants
3. Series Clean-up - I noticed that you had read the first one in the series, so I thought you should read the next one. This is one of my all-time favorite series. Lover Eternal
Naughty - from my READ pile
4. Many yearly challenges - This is a book I just read for a challenge in Nov. and loved and I noticed that you like YA. Waterfall
5. Favorite Book of the Year - I discovered this series recently and found it so interesting and wonderful. Just loved it. On the Edge
6. Blush - I'm not sure I blushed, but Feehan can write some steamy love scenes and this book is set in the jungle with shape-shifters. Just alot of fun!Wild Rain
Buddy Read
7. Glory in Death I recently discovered JD Robb's In Death series and started buying them for my nook. I am reading this for another buddy read to start on the 14th. Would love to have you join.
8. Christmas Read -An Angel for ChristmasI saw this at my library and requested it as I like Heather Graham. Would be happy to do it as a buddy read.
Dee wrote: "wow Kerste - I think this is the quickest i've ever had picks!! lol!!i'm going to try for When You Dare and maybe Bound to Please - I don't know if I will have time ..."
Well, lucky you, I was home sick today...and I don't like leaving unfinished business. Funny, I noticed that the two books you may read, I didn't leave very good reviews...even though I enjoyed them both. So I updated my reviews. Good to know you aren't as behind the times as me with the Kleypas...I may be a little gun shy about the WA state books. I usually nit pick them to death and it interrupts my "calgon take me away" time. Have a great December!
Lisa,I'll try to have your picks later tonight or tomorrow :)
Amy JoI hope that you find something that you will enjoy over the holidays! If not, just let me know and I will change it up for you =)
1. Winter Solstice: These are all pretty short, the longest one is the third on and it's just over 150 pages.
Surrender
Kidnapped for Christmas
Club Shadowlands
2.Summer Solstice: I chose a few books from your list; however, I didn't choose the longest ones you have. Sometimes I'm turned off if I see that a book is super super long. So, most of these are around 500 or a little over.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: My husband read this story and really liked it.
Envy: I saw that you've read a few other books from J.R Ward.
Graceling: I read this book a while ago and really liked it.
3. Series Clean-Up:
Children of the Mind
Lover Reborn
4. Many Yearly Challenges:
Long Hard Ride: I had seen this book and the series in a lot of challenges, and finally decided to read it. I absolutely fell in love with the whole series and devored all of them with in a few weeks!
The Perfect Play: I had a hard time deciding if I should put this book here or in the favorites column. I really really loved this book, and it's sequel. I can't wait until the third one comes out in early 2012.
5.Favorite Book of the Year: I couldn't choose just one book. I rarely give a book a 5; however, these are the few that I gave 5 stars this year =)
Riding the Storm: At first I wasn't too sure about this book/series by reading the synopsis. I ended up loving this book though and the next 4 as well.
Changing the Game: This is the sequel to The Perfect Play.
Giving Chase: I'm in love with the four brothers in this series. This is the first of the four, and I think this one is my favorite.
6. A Read That Made You Blush:
Kate's Crew
Blackmailed
7. Book Buying:
Beautiful Creatures: I've had this book sitting in my night stand for a while now.
The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf: I read another book by Molly Harper and it was surprisingly very funny. I think this one will be similarly funny.
8. Christmas Read:
Matchless: A Christmas Story
Hey, Leslie! I had a great time picking for you. My Modus operandi for these challenges is usually to stick close to my "pickee's" TBR shelf, so most of my rec's for you will be from there. Surprisingly, I also found a few from your TBR to add to my own! I hope you find some you'll like-& if not, I'm more happy to rec more. Happy holidays!NICE-
1. Winter Solstice~ Alexandra’s Legacy by N.J. Walters: I haven't read Walters yet but I've heard many good things about her.
2. Summer Solstice~ The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham: I was overjoyed when I saw this book on your TBR shelf. Canham is one of my favorite HR authors & The Pride of Lions-& the sequel, The Blood of Roses-are my favorite books by her.
3. Series Clean-up~ Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley: Since you enjoyed "The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie" why not read the next the book in the
"Highland Pleasures" series?
NAUGHTY-
4. Many yearly challenges~Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews: I read this book this year for the RRRC "Read-the-Season Inverno" challenge & adored it. Since you loved the first book in Andrews' "The Edge" series, I thought you might enjoy her UF series as well.
5. Favorite Book of the Year~Naked by Megan Hart: I am utterly & unashamedly in love with Hart & her books. They're classified as Erotic Fiction but they are so, so much more. Yes, the smut is good but the emotional connections the reader experiences with the characters are out of this world.
6. A read that made you blush~Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison~Four words: Hot. Dragon. Sex. Roawr. All I have to say is that it's a good thing that Dragos is a fictional character, because I would totally stalk him for the rest of my days.
BUDDY READS-
7. Book Buying~Shaedes of Gray by Amanda Bonilla:This was a hard category for me since I get most of my books from the library & the books I DO buy, I buy when I'm ready to read them. So instead I picked a book I plan on buying ASAP.
8. Christmas Read~Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas: This was another hard category for me. I hate Christmas themed novels with a purple passion-& would rather drink bleach than read them. It's something about how saccharine sweet & cheesy they are that makes me gag. That being said, I know that Kleypas has a CR set around it. I love Kleypas so I figured if anyone can get me to enjoy a Christmas romance, it's her.
I sent my pickee a friend request (private profile), so I am ready to pick for her as soon as she accepts!
For Carla-I hope I did a good job on this. Your TBR is amazing. I tried to pick as many regency and historical romances as I could because I love them and based on your TBR, you love them too. I hope you like my picks!Nice - since we should always be nice and try to stick with our to-read piles ;) (yeah, right!)
1. Winter Solstice –Dark Angel (Dark Angel, #1) by Mary Balogh-It’s 224 pages so not very short but Mary Balogh is a fricken queen.
2. Summer Solstice-The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly-It’s 675 pages so quite long but I didn’t want to pick Dombey and Sons. I’ve also heard many wonderful things about Jennifer Donnelly’s books.
3. Series Clean-up – When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer- Kieran Kramer is one of my favorites.
Naughty - because buying books is naughty (for most of us)
4. Many yearly challenges– The Texan's Wager by Jodi Thomas-Loved loved it. Carter was such an amazing hero even if you don’t like the gentle type of hero.
5. Favorite Book of the Year – Never a Gentleman by Eileen Dreyer-It’s not only on my yearly top 5, it’s on my forevertime top 5. If you like badly behaved heroes, Diccan is your man.
6. A read that made you blush – Sinful by Charlotte Featherstone-blushing is not the operative world. I was reading the book at a wedding so that might have something to do with it. But a note of advice, before you start reading go to Charlotte’s website and download the Epilogue. It’s necessary. The ending is kind of crappy without it.
Buddy Read
7. Book Buying – Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward-Just finished the first one. Spent much of my pocket money buying this one. I would be thrilled to do a Buddy Read for this one.
8. Christmas Read – Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes-I just reviewed it and it’s so good. The hero is like a male Mary Poppins.
Lexa,I enjoyed going through your list. Let me know if you would like to do a buddy read.
Nice
1. Winter Solstice - Winter Roses
2. Summer Solstice - Lover Awakened
3. Series Clean-up - Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost
Naughty
4. Many yearly challenges - The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
5. Favorite Book of the Year - The Darkest Night
6. A read that made you blush - Fifty Shades of Grey
Buddy Read
7. Book Buying - Irish Hearts
8. Christmas Read - Gifts of Love
Isabella wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Hi Isabella, I am working on your picks tonight and should have them posted tomorrow. Looking forward to this."HEY LESLIE,
Thanks for the add!! I'm happy to have you picking for ..."
I finished early! You were so easy to pick for. This is my third month of doing this challenge and you are my first to actually participate after I've picked. I'm so excited! The picks are further down in the message board. Let me know what you think.
Kimberly, your picks will be up tomorrow! :D
Kerste - I'll have picks for you tomorrow morning.
LethalLovely~I'm Sexy & I Know It {I Work Out!} wrote: "Hey, Leslie! I had a great time picking for you. My Modus operandi for these challenges is usually to stick close to my "pickee's" TBR shelf, so most of my rec's for you will be from there. Surpris..."Hi, that is the fastest I've ever gotten books picked for me. I love it! I could read everything you've picked for me, great job! Let me think about what I can read this month and what I don't pick I'll probably read next month! By the way, I completely agree about Christmas books- but I happen to love Christmas- just don't like sappy. I do adore Lisa Kleypas however.
Photojim,Not much of a wait for your picks this time. :)
I played it fairly loose with the categories, so I hope you find something you like.
Nice
1. Winter Solstice - Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book: A Primer for Adults Only by Shel Silverstein. Based on your sense of humor, I think you will get a kick out of this wicked little book. Or Weddings Can Be Murder by Christie Craig. She reminds me a bit of Jennifer Crusie, although this outing isn't as outrageous.
2. Summer Solstice - Ok, they aren't really long or short, but I wanted to recommend them and they didn't fit anywhere. For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper. Outrageous characters in crazy circumstances that is a lot of fun to read. Or you could go with The Corset Diaries by Katie MacAlister. I know you're not one for historicals, but this is actually a funny contemporary on the set of a reality show set in historical times.
3. Series Clean Up - This isn't anywhere near the end of the series, but since you liked the first two books so much (and I think the first 3 are the weakest of the series), you really need to continue - Grave Peril by Jim Butcher. Or you can catch up on the Chicagoland Vampires with Drink Deepby Chloe Neill.
Naughty
4. Many yearly challenges - Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon is the start of a good series. You liked the "prequel", so now meet the dark hunters. Or you might like On the Edge by Ilona Andrews. I really read the sequel (Bayou Moon) this year for a challenge, but I know I prefer to start at the beginning. Don't let the cheesy cover fool you, it really is a good story.
5. Favorite Book of the Year- This was hard because you'd read the first few I would have picked, so Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder wins. It is an interesting concept with the main character quickly becoming a poison taster and learning the ropes is intriguing. I didn't read it this year, but Bitten by Kelley Armstrong would definitely fall in my top list as well. Elena is the only female werewolf and is trying to live a life while denying that side of herself.
6. A read that made me blush - yeah, I don't read many books that would do that, so I'm going to recommend something from my TBR (and that was still free on Amazon Kindle when I checked a few minutes ago) A Touch of Greek by Tina Folsom. I'm a sucker for Greek mythology elements in books.
Buddy Reads
I'm not sure if I can actually join you for these as I'm working on finishing up my year long challenges and of course none of them fit in these two categories that would work for you.
7. Book Buying - How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper. Looks cute.
8. Christmas Read - Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley definitely fits the bill. Or you could track down Santa, Baby anthology which has a fun story by Jennifer Crusie.
Brett, I'm not much of a historical fan, but I'll do my best to find something you'll like.1. Winter Solstice - Reason Enough - you seemed to really enjoy Dirty and this is really a continuation of the story.
2. Summer Solstice - A Storm of Swords - The first book is a great start to this series. the second lets off some. The third picks it right back up.
3. Series Clean-up - you have two of the three books of this series in your TBR. But book one is Good Girls Don't but it really all starts with the short story in The Guy Next Door
4. Many yearly challenges - From a PIFM challenge from the spring, I was given the Parisol Protectorate to read. This is a bit of a PNR/steampunk series. Victorian era and very fun. It starts with Soulless.
5. Favorite Book of the Year - So many good books this year. Thea Harrison's Dragon series, Susan Mallory's Fools Gold series, the aforementioned Donovan Brother's Brewery series by Victoria Dahl, the Parisol Protectorate series, to name a few. I don't do well when asked to name just one or a favorite. But maybe my most refreshing read was probably Dragon Bound. Besides, we have ask a question win a book with her next week.
6. A read that made you blush - well, not a lot really makes me blush. But Fran sent me a book a week or so ago that I read that certainly had some elements I was surprised to be reading in a book with romance on the spine. All U Can Eat has a couple of fairly graphic M/M sex scenes and a very promiscuous female lead.
Buddy Read
7. Book Buying - You've read book six in the CatStar Chronicles by cheryl Brooks. I've only read book one. I recently bought books 3-6. I don't think they are actually in a series so if you want to pick another of them, I'm game.
8. Christmas Read - Must Love Mistletoe - I recently read her Malibu and Ewe knitting series and really liked it. I'd like to see what the rest of her books are like.
Well, if you need different choices, just let me know.
Hi Mandy,Here are your picks for December. I hope you enjoy them and I hope you have an awesome holiday season!
Nice
Winter Solstice- Wild & Steamy by Meljean Brook- looks like a good short read.
Summer Solstice- The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross- a longish book from your TBR list.
Series Clean Up- Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr- this series is really good and I am looking forward to the next one in the series to come out.
Naughty
Many yearly challenges- I highly recommend Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles is one of my favorite books that was recommend to me by D.G. Shameless Hussy. If you can I recommend listening to this book through audio book.
Favorite Book of the Year- Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas. I think she has to be my favorite new author. I have seen this on your TBR and this is a great series.
A read that makes you blush- Okay so I can't narrow this down to one so I will give you the two titles I can't decide between. One is The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton- a very sexy book!! Definetley blush worthy!! The second is Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James- this one is super steamy and a lot of fun!!!
Buddy Read
Book buying- I would like to read The Duke And I by Julia Quinn. It is on both our TBR lists.
Christmas-y book- Let's see I don't have many of these on my list. So I went searching and I found Got Mistletoe? by Andi Anderson.
Okay so let me know if you want to do the buddy reads. I hope you like my picks. Let me know if you don't and I can try and pick something else.
Happy Reading! And happy holidays.
Megan
Photojim wrote: "Vi, I'm glad you said something. I just wasted 20 minutes going through Diane's extensive Read shelf. Good news, if I ever get Diane, I have a better idea of her tastes.Brett, I'll have your pi..."
So this means you're not going to be surprised by what I picked for you then, right?
Photojim wrote: "Brett, I'm not much of a historical fan, but I'll do my best to find something you'll like.1. Winter Solstice - Reason Enough - you seemed to really enjoy Dirty and this is really ..."
OMG Jim!
I am kind of embarassed that you just told everyone that I sent you a book that made you blush!
Diane, thank you for the quick picks!Free erotica? I'm almost a sure bet to read that one.
Grave Peril and Drink Deeply are also good bets for me.
However, Katie McAlister is officially on my do not read list.
The Shel Silverstein and the Naked Werewolf have been on my list of check at the UBS forever. One of these days I'll see them there.
I'll let you know for sure what I'll read when I track one down.
Hi Kami!I read in your profile that your favorite genres are paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I try to mix it up a bit by suggesting other genres, but I pretty much stayed with your faves. Hope you'll find something you like from my recs.
1. Winter Solstice - Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark is a auto-buy series for me. I think you should check it out by reading this pre-quel novella, The Warlord Wants Forever. If you feel a little bit daring, I'm recommending a favorite contemporary BDSM erotica series I read this year, Cherise Sinclair's Masters of the Shadowlands, starting with the novella, Club Shadowlands.
2. Summer Solstice - I took a look at your TBR and some of the longest books are from George R.R. Martin. I guess you can continue his series with A Storm of Swords. On a different note, you have Ludlum's The Bourne Identity, a favorite of mine since I was a teenager. Despite being a thriller, there is an interesting romance in that book.
3. Series Clean-up - Ward's BDB books usually top the list of popular PNR books, so I was wondering where have you stopped in the series:
Lover Revealed or Lover Avenged. Either way, just continue the series. : )
4. Favorite Challenge Book: One of my favorite challenge books this year, I read because of the Random Book List Challenge: Ilona Andrew's Bayou Moon (in your case, you might want to start with On the Edge).
5. Favorite Book: Singh's Play of Passion is my favorite book so far for this year. If you haven't started the series, Slave to Sensation is the first book.
6. Book that Made me Blush - This year I read a very hot, well-written contemporary story of a younger man/older woman: Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun.
7. Book Buying - The latest book I bought was on that I pick up a sale bin: Showalter's The Nymph King. Turns out it's part of a series, so you can begin with Heart of the Dragon.
8. Christmas Read - I have this book in my Nook for quite some time, but might read it this December: Kery's Holiday Bound or you can read my favorite Christmas Anthology:The Magical Christmas Cat.
Well, there is it. Hope you'll have a merry time reading this month.
Lisa,Here are your picks! I hope you like them :)
Nice - since we should always be nice and try to stick with our to-read piles ;) (yeah, right!)
1. Winter Solstice - the Winter Solstice will occur on Dec 22 and is the shortest day of a year - recommend a book from your partner's to-read list that is short
Book of Shadows by Cate Tiernan I've heard a lot of good things about this series.
2. Summer Solstice - at the same time, the summer solstice, or the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere - recommend a long book from your partners to-read list
Ascension by Caris Roane his one looks really good and I'll be reading it in December.
3. Series Clean-up - at the end of the year, I like doing a review of various series I have in progress and get caught up. Recommend a series from your partner's to-read list that they can get caught up on.
The Virgin River series by Robyn Carr, you've read number 13 and you only have a few more to go! I love the series too!
Naughty - because buying books is naughty (for most of us)
4. Many yearly challenges - recommend a book that you read for a previous challenge this year (PIFM or other) that you enjoyed
Enclave by Ann Aguirre I loved this book!
5. Favorite Book of the Year - recommend a book that year that you would rank in your top 5 (or so)
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs I really enjoyed this book. Mercedes is great!
6. A read that made you blush - what's being naughty without reading a book that makes you blush - recommend one for your partner
Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward I noticed you read the first one, and gave it a higher rating I hope you like this steamy sequel!
Buddy Read
7. Book Buying - recommend a book you bought recently (that you maybe shouldn't have) that you would like to read
Atlantis Rising by Alyssa Day I've been dying to read this one.
8. Christmas Read - pick a christmas-y book to buddy read with your partner
A Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh This one looks like a cue little historical christmasy romance.
to get back to the Virgin River series.
Iris,I am having fun going through your lists, and getting lots of ideas --- for me! You have great lists, and I will have your picks up for you later this evening.
Hi Yz the Whyz here are your picks hope you like them. NICE
1. Winter Solstice: Curran by Gordon Andrews (Series)
2. Summer Solstice: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini (Series)
3. Series Clean-Up: No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole (Series)
NAUGHTY
4. Many Yealy Challenges: Intertwined by Gena Showalter (Series)
5. Favorite Book of the Year: One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney
6. A Read That Made You Blush: Wicked Ties by Shayla Black (Series )
BUDY READS
7. Book Buying: Where Demons Fear to Tread by Stephanie Chong
8. Christmas Read: The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa by Bill Wallace
Hi Juana,You were my pickee when I did my first PIFM this year and now you are again the pickee for the last PIFM of this year. What a nice cycle! Apart from the Harry Potter and the Twilight books, we seem to have little in common. I've made picks that probably will be out of your comfort zone and some not. Either way, I hope you'll enjoy my picks. If not, let me know. I'll re-do them for you.
Nice - since we should always be nice and try to stick with our to-read piles ;) (yeah, right!)
1. Winter Solstice
You have a lot of ebooks in there without any page count. So I'm going to pick one which looks better ;)
1. Defying Pack Law by Eve Langlais - This one sounds very interesting. Plus, looks like it might be fun as well *wink*
2. Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern - I'm listening to this one now and I gotta say, it's very funny. You should give this a shot!
2. Summer Solstice
Technically, these will fall under favorites but hey, they are at the top of your TBR.
1. Paradise by Judith McNaught - I love, love, love this book by McNaught. I would have re-read this 3-4 times at least. Don't be intimidated by its size. It's really a lovely book.
2. The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks - I think this might fall outside your comfort zone. It's a dark fantasy. I just finished it last week and I really loved it. I want to start the next book but I can only get from the library next week :(
3. Series Clean-up
1. Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost - I saw you liked the first book. Why don't you give the next one a chance as well? I heard the second one is good.
2. Untamed by P.C. Cast - Again, you seem to have liked the earlier books in the series. Why don't you continue the series?
Naughty because buying books is naughty (for most of us)
4. Many yearly challenges
1. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - This is a contemporary romance with an unusual job for the hero. The way the events are told is also unusual. One of my favorites from this year.
2. Promises by Marie Sexton - Okay, I'm cheating. I haven't read it yet. But Shell recommends it highly and so do others. It's also on your TBR.
3. Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson - This will again fall slightly outside your comfort zone but it is one of the best fantasy romance series out there. The series is epic and complete.
5. Favorite Book of the Year
Technically, I'm cheating since I have included some re-reads for the favorites.
1. The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale - This is one of my re-read of this year. I love this one from Kinsale. Not all of writers can pull of a virgin hero but Kinsale does it amazingly.
2. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison - The book was hyped up for most of this year even before it was released. The tropes seem the usual but Harrison makes it so fresh. Now I want me a dragon-shifter! ;D
3. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews - I actually loved the latest book in the series but you should start off with the first. A series that just keeps getting better.
6. A read that made you blush
I haven't read any book that made me blush. I'm just going to recommend two random books.
1. Shades Of Twilight by Linda Howard - This book is a guilty-pleasure of mine. And it really showcases Howard's writing. Why? Because it has a spineless heroine - and a doormat for most of the book. yet, somehow she makes it very enjoyable. And the angst. I love angst. And even now, the second re-read, I'm still enjoying it like my first.
2. Hot Head by Damon Suede - This books seems to be very popular. I've seen it getting rec'd many times in the last two PIFM.
Buddy Read
I probably wouldn't have time to do buddy reads this month but here are some recs.
7. Book Buying
1. The Silent Tower by Barbara Hambly - I just bought the trilogy yesterday at amazon since it was 60% off. 2$ each only!
2. Addicted by Charlotte Featherstone - I finally caved in and bought the cover. And it has a very beautiful cover.
8. Christmas Read
I don't celebrate christmas. I'll just for two books from both our TBR that I need to read soon.
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
I'll be waiting for them. I'm so excited to get started.
Hi Karen H!It was fun going through your shelves, I hope you find something you like :)
Nice
1. Winter Solstice- both short reads and really good
Come Monday
Unraveled
2. Summer Solstice- I love this series! You read the first, the weakest one, keep going! (382 pages)
It Happened One Autumn
3. Series Clean-Up-
Naked Edge
The Sweetest Thing
Cowboy Casanova
Undeniably Yours
Naughty
4. Many Yearly Challenges-
The Sugar Queen-LOVE it!
Wake- the first in a great YA series
5. Favorite Book Of The Year-
Attachments-just a feel-good, great read
The Road-still stays with me...haunting
Darkfever- first in a great series
6. A Read That Made You Blush- not much makes me blush- have you seen my shelves, lol! These are spicy reads that I enjoyed that are also on your tbr.
Babysitting the Baumgartners
Going All In (Three of a Kind, #1)
Wicked Ties
Untouched(my fave from the blush choices)
Buddy Reads
7. Book Buying- I have so many books on my kindle to read that I shouldn't be buying anything but I just can't help myself!
Beautiful Disaster
Sweet Inspiration
Across the Veil(Lisa Kessler will be joining RRRC in Ask An Author Corner in Dec.)This title is lendable from Amazon so if you choose it I can lend it to you when I'm done. It's also pretty short.
8. Christmas Read- on both of our tbr's (free read-yay)
All I Want for Christmas is You
Eimeriina~ Here are you're picks. I hope you find something you want to read. 1. Winter Solstice - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - one of my all time favorite books.
2. Summer Solstice - Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. At 700+ pages, I’d say that’s a long book.
3. Series Clean-up - I saw that you gave Beautiful Creatures four stars, so I’m recommending you continue the series with Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia
4. Many yearly challenges - I’m recommending two here. In November I read the first book in two different series by Maya Banks: In Bed with a Highlander and The Darkest Hour (I preferred In Bed with a Highlander)
Favorite Book of the Year - Moon Called by Patricia Briggs - Technically, I didn’t read it this year, but it’s on your to-read shelf and it’s one of my favorite urban fantasy series.
A read that made you blush - The Devil Inside by Jenna Black. Not one of my favorite series, but it involves some M/M and BDSM.
Buddy Read
7. Book Buying - I went for something we both have on our 'to-read' shelves: Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare or Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison. I own both of these, so I could read them anytime.
Christmas Read - I don’t have any on my list, but I found these on your list The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror by Christopher Moore or Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas (If you want to read either of these, I’ll need a little time to get them from the library or store.)
LethalLovely,I hope I found something you might like here! If you need something different, let me know!
NICE
1. Winter Solstice:
Angels' Pawn by Nalini Singh - I actually haven't read this one either, but we both enjoy the Angel series, so we should really read how it started!
2. Summer Solstice:
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon - It was hard for me to list this one, but I hadn't really read anything on your list of long books. I don't like this series, but it looks like you do, so enjoy the next book!
3. Series Clean-up:
Blood Lines by Eileen Wilks - This is one of my very favorite series! You seemed to enjoy the first few, and they just get better and better.
NAUGHTY:
4. Many yearly challenges:
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - Had this one recommended to me, and I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. A fun read with tons of emotion/teenage angst!
5. Favorite Book of the Year:
Divergent by Veronica Roth - Had this as a buddy read in the PIFM not too long ago, and it seriously turned out to be a favorite for the entire year. YA done right!
The Help by Kathryn Stockett - Enjoyed this one so much, I didn't want it to end. If you do audiobooks, this one is fantastic in that format!
6. A read that made you blush:
Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye - I don't think anything I read would make you blush, just from looking at your shelves. For me, this one was a little blushworthy. It was a great little short story about an encounter in an elevator.
BUDDY READS:
7. Book Buying:
Hunted By The Others by Jess Haines - I don't really buy many books at all, so I just fudged a little and went with a book that it looked like we both had. I've been intrigued by the blurb on this one and wouldn't mind doing a buddy read with you.
8. Christmas Read:
Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey - Seems like all the Christmas books I'm interested are all far along in various series, so I'm going with this one I just found on GR by an author a lot of people rave about. Guess we'll see if it's good or not!
Heather wrote: "December Picks for ~Megan~Hopefully something intrigues you enough to pick them up this month!
Nice -
1. Winter Solstice (Short Book from Your TBR List) -
I'm a nut for most things written by..."
AHH! Heather, I knew you would give me some awesome picks! I am definitely down to read one or ALL of the buddy reads...just let me know!! If we don't get to any of them together, I will pick one of the others. The hard part is, I can't decide...I want to read them all!
Hi Amanda! Hopefully I'll get to your picks tonight, but if not, then first thing in the morn :)
I want to read all the buddy reads too, ~Megan~!Since it's the holiday season, do you want to try to tackle North of Need sometime in the 1st half of the month and if we can get to the other 2 we will?
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Sherrilyn Kenyon (other topics)
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We have so many books in common! Hope you like my recs for you.
Nice
1. Winter Solstice: Hidden Pleasures
2. Summer Solstice: The Wolf and the Dove
3. Series Clean Up: Shannon K. Butcher´s Sentinels Wars - I read all of them this year and loved them! a very good read.
Naughty
4. Many Yearly Challenges: Divergent, Raziel or Loose Ends
5. Favorite Book of the year: Kiss of Snow - I love Hawke and loved his book!
6. A read that made you blush - Sweet Temptation this is the fourth book in the Sweet Serie and was way past my confort Zone - if you like to read in order, it is a great serie!
Buddy Read
7. Book Buying - Lord of the Vampires (Royal House of Shadows, #1) - one more serie that I will start. four more books to buy...
8. Christimas Read: Holiday Kisses: A Holiday Romance Collection - an antology that I`m crazy to buy...
happy reading!