Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
>
PtP - We have the Bears, Where are the Twinks? (6)
Completion PostWeek #1
First and First
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
At first sight I didn't like either Caleb or Oliver, but during the book I found two lonely men, and I felt more and more for them.
They both come from a wealthy family and have some daddy issues, it just affects their sexuality in a different way. While Oliver experiences his sexual freedom and doesn't believe in monogamy and relationships, is Caleb more uptight. He has a lot of wild fantasies but is too inexperienced and afraid to give in to his sexual desires. Oliver, however, manages to break through Caleb's walls and while he helps Caleb to grow and to become more confident, he unconsciously allows Caleb to find his way into Oliver's heart.
I quite enjoyed reading their story and I think when I read this book a second time I'll find even more layers of their characters. It would have been awesome to get also Oliver's POV.
Week 2Option 1
13. Fairytales are generally based on quests and hunts. Read a book from one of the following lists:
Beauty and the Beast
Gay Cinderfellas
Best Retellings of Fairytales, Legends and History
Fairytale: Clean Romances
These are compulsory lists. Your selected book MUST come from one of these lists. You must link to the list and note which page/which number it is on that list.
Option 2
Key date: 14 September 2016
Week 2Option 2
252 pages
Read by Shannon 12/19/16. rated 5 stars
Gah, I hope you love it as much as I did! Made me weepy...everything makes me weepy. :p
Week #2 - Selection Post
Option 1
UnEnchanted235 Pages (Kindle Version)
Qualification: #226 on Fairytale: Clean Romances
Week 2Falling Down
5 stars
I didnt find this book as dark as some of the reviews led me to believe.
Runaway Josh makes his way to NH with the intent of scattering his mother's ashes and then curling up and dying in the snow. Camping on his first night he is spotted under a bridge by Mark. The two strike up a friendship with Josh working for Mark.
Yes, Josh does have suicidial thoughts and does so for the majority of the book until he come to realize there is more to live for.
The friendship with Mark turns into something more and eventually gives him a reason to live.
I read this book in a couple of hours in one sitting.
Selection PostWeek #2
Option 1: Fairytales
The Missing ButterflyPages: 172
How it qualifies: # 62 on Best Gay Cinderella's
[*book:The Missing Butterfly|23122393]
Week 2 Completion Post
Camera Shy by EM Leya
Pages: 277
Read: 3/19/17
Rating: ★★ 1/2
Really more of a 2.5 star for me. I'm in the minority here but I found the writing style clunky. The use of "he is" or "they will" instead of he's or they'll kept pulling me out of the story. It just doesn't flow in my mind when it's written like that. Also, I should have been really emotional about Charles. He's had a terrible life but all I felt was annoyed that everyone had to reassure him constantly about absolutely everything. The whole book felt like the same lines over and over again. I like the idea of the book and the story line but the execution just didn't work for me.
Week #2: FairytalesBookcover/link: The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks
Page numbers: 160
How the book qualifies: #16 on the Best Gay Cinderfellas list
Week #2: FairytalesBookcover/link: The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Perry comes home from what was supposed to be a fantastic vacation to finally meet his online boyfriend, but the boyfriend's ex picked that weekend to get back together. So Perry is broke, tired, and dispirited when he walks into his apartment and finds a dead guy with yellow socks in his bathtub. Nick is cranky. He was a Navy SEAL until his dishonorable discharged (the story was written before the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell), and his job prospects don't look good. At least his divorce has finally come through. He's got no time for the hysterical twink across the hall and his imaginary dead bodies. Except, even with no body to be found, there's still something fishy going on. It wouldn't hurt to poke around a bit until a job offer comes in. And somebody needs to be looking out for the kid.
This was a reread for me. The first time was six years ago, and I'm a little surprised it didn't hold up better. I remembered it being a little bit of a send up of the classic, hardboiled detective genre with some gothic thrown in, and it was. But it was much rougher in language and attitude than I remembered. Nick was uncomfortably dismissive of Perry pretty much all the way to the 75% mark, when they fell into bed together. And even after that, he continued to think of Perry in very childlike terms. The handyman, Tiny, who was described at his introduction as being "simple" was called a moron or a retard by other characters. (Not either of the MCs, fortunately.) That said, the quirkiness of the characters stood up. It wasn't as much fun this time as it was six years ago, but I did enjoy it. I don't really see where the fairytale aspect came in, but it was on the list, so it counts.
I'll post my choice asap...i have many to pick from that I already own on the list. So just deciding what works best with other take.
Week #2 - Completion Post
Option 1
UnEnchantedCompleted 3/18/17 - 3.5 Stars (rounded up to 4 stars on GR)
I'm generally not a fan of most YA novels, but was intrigued by the premise of this one - 15-year-old Mina Grime discovers that she is descended from the Brothers Grimm, and must relive (and survive) every one of the Grimms' fairy tales in order to save her family. I liked the characters and thought the way the fairy tales were incorporated into the storyline worked well. Overall I enjoyed the book, and while I'm not running right out to find the next book in the series, I will definitely keep it in mind for the next time I need a YA book for a challenge. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Khristine Hvam, was very good.
Initial Selection Post for Option 1Week # 2
Task: 16. 13. Fairytales are generally based on quests and hunts.
Book: The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
Page numbers: 251
Qualifies: #52, page 1 of Fairytale: Clean Romances
Completion PostWeek #2
The Missing ButterflyRating: 3 stars
Review:
This book delivered exactly what we're looking for with the theme of the week, a lovely fairy tale.
When Cassidy's parents were killed in an accident, he dropped his dream to become a famous rockstar and instead raised his two siblings. After a few difficult years he managed to land a new job. And with the new job came the new boss, Malcolm.
Malcolm is not only a cover-model-like beauty, he's also very wealthy and works only to fill his time. When he hires Cassidy, he's instantly attracted to him....
.....and our fairy tale unfolds. Everything develops perfectly, everyone likes everyone and Malcolm literally buys the world for Cassidy.
Nothing special but a really sweet feel good romance. :)
I will be finishing my Week 2 Fairy Tale read later today.
Week 3Option 1
11. Your own 'bear' hunt! Read a book with a male MC who is a bear, not necessarily a shifter from one of the following lists. (In contemporay romance, a 'bear' is a big tall male, possibly hairy.)
Ill be Goldilocks. were bears and bear shifters in romance
Gentle giants in contemporary romance
Petite heroine / big hero
Big ugly grizzly bear main character
Gay bear stories
These are compulsory lists. Your selected book MUST come from one of these lists. You must link to the list and note which page/which number it is on that list.
Option 2
Key date: 21 September 2016
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads.
Selection PostWeek #3
Option 2
Taming TeddyPages 238
Read by Shannon, 24. December 2016, rated 4 stars
[*book:Taming Teddy|33332775]
Week #3 - Selection Post
Option 1
Just This Once294 Pages (Kindle Version)
Qualification: #158 on Petite Heroine/Big Hero
Week 3 Selection PostOption 2
Reading the Signs by Keira Andrews
Pages: 255
Qualifies: Read by Lisa on 10/15/16
Rated: ★★★★★
Week #3: Read a book with a male MC who is a bearBookcover/link: Beauty and the Blacksmith
Page numbers: 148
How the book qualifies: #120 on the Petite Heroine /Big Hero list
Week 3Option 2
282 pages
Read by Shannon. 2/11/17. Rated 4 stars
Completion Post for Week 2, Option 1Week # 2
Option 1 Task: 13. Fairytales are generally based on quests and hunts. Read a book from one of the compulsory lists.
Book: The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
Read: 03/24/17
Pages: 251
Fits: #52, page 1 of Fairytale: Clean Romances
Rating: 3
Review:
While I get the fairy tale aspect, young lady falls for a member of the royal family, poor and downtrodden he would never look at me in that manner. Oh, but is he actually attracted to me? Did he just have a twinkle in his eye when he looked at me? Not to mention some sibling rivalry, why do both royal brothers appear to fancy this mere woodcutters daughter that is studying to be a healer? But to sell it as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast? I felt it was a rather loose reinterpreted version, not that as a fairy tale alone this would have appeal, it just didn't scream Beauty and the Beast to me.
I will look over this weeks list and post my choice this weekend.
Week #3: Read a book with a male MC who is a bearBookcover/link: Beauty and the Blacksmith
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Diana Highwood is a perfect beauty, and her mother's greatest hope for the financial security of the family. The pressure is off a bit, since the bookish middle sister made a surprise match with a dashing, and well to do, lord. But instead of relaxing, it just convinces her mother that Diana should look higher for a husband. If Minerva can land a lord, a beauty like Diana should be able to land at least a Duke! All of her mother's pushing and grasping is embarrassing to Diana, and without purpose, because she wants nothing more than to marry Aaron Dawes, the village blacksmith.
Aaron has been head over heels for Diana for years. But what can come of it? He's a craftsman, and she is a gentlewoman, meant for a finer life than he could ever give her.
It's easy to yearn from afar when you know nothing could come of it. But once they discover that their feelings are returned, they jump pretty quickly to "how do we fit our lives together?" mode. There's a scandal when Diana is accused of stealing from the other ladies at the rooming house, and she admits that she was actually spending the night with Aaron at the time. But the whole thing blows over when another girl's (many thought imaginary) love bursts in and proves that he was the rat who'd been stealing all along.
I only discovered Tessa Dare about a year ago, but she's rapidly become my favorite for historical romance. Diana and Aaron's feelings were telegraphed all along, and it was very satisfying to see them get their story.
Initial Selection Post for Option 2Week # 3
Key Date: 21 September 2016
Book: Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates
Page numbers: 323
Qualifies: Read by Karen H on 03/21/17 rated 4 stars
Week 3
Date read: 3/26/17
4 stars
The first in a new series for me and a new to me author.
Blue is in Napa for a week of events leading up to his sisters wedding.
Whilst feeling sorry for himself he is at the bar when he meets a handsome guy.
I enjoyed this book. For a long time Tristan thought he was bi, but as this book evolves he is definitely gay. A huge cast of secondary characters who bring the book alive and also introductions as there are a further 4 books in the series, each featuring a brother.
Will certainly read more.
1 like
Week 3 Completion PostOption 2
Reading the Signs by Keira Andrews
Pages: 255
Read: 3/26/17
Rating: ★★★★
Baseball? Can't say I give two craps about that aspect of the story but the rest was wonderful. I would call this "baby BDSM" and I bet if these two had a second book things would really get going. So much potential for the harder stuff. As it was, I'd say we just got us some smoking hot, slightly kinky sex and it was very, very nice. The story was nice, nothing groundbreaking. No real angst, only one kind of fight scene...basically a sweet love story with some kink thrown in. I'll take it!!
Week #3Completion Post
Taming TeddyRating: 4 stars
Review:
Another light, sweet romance.
I liked this book just as much as the first in the series.
Jamie, the wildlife whisperer and Teddy, the wildlife photographer, were two lonely guys.
Teddy never wanted a relationship and Jamie wanted no longer a relationship after he was left in front of the altar. So no commitments and no strings were the plan.
But well, life does not always go as planned! ;)
Great humor, heartwarming emotions and a lot of animals in the wilds of Alaska.
Shannon wrote: "I've still never listened to an audiobook. Okay, once my mom had one in the car during a road trip. It was her book so I'm sure it was super educational and boring. :p"LOL!! Like my mother playing the Linda Ronstadt tape on my way to school...
There are some fab MM audios out there. So many to choose from :)
Week #3 - Completion Post
Option 1
Just This OnceFinished 3/25/17 - 3 stars
This is a hard book for me to rate and review (which is partially why it was several days after I finished it before I posted here). On one hand, there were things about it I really enjoyed - I liked the characters, both the MCs and secondary characters, and the descriptions of New Zealand were wonderful. The basic storyline was also good, but for me there was just something missing, and I can't quite put my finger on what it was. I could understand the issues that caused problems between the MCs, but especially in Hannah's case, even though I liked her and understood the reasons behind her fears, I felt like she was making the situation harder than it had to be (view spoiler). Also, there were parts of a couple of the sex scenes that kind of made me think "did I really hear what I thought I heard???", and not in a good way. I listened to the audiobook, and thought the narration was quite good. As you can see, a very mixed review! I'm sure I will at some point give the second book a chance, though.
How's everyone doing? I actually ran out of challenge books to read for the month (finished my Meet-n-Greet books for Feb/March, found all the words for the March Word Hunt, and knocked out the March Monthly Challenge), so I'm rereading Fair Game. I haven't read it since 2011, and I didn't remember it well enough to just jump in and read the new one.What's everyone else reading? Anything good? Or are you all waiting for the theme call this evening?
Oh my, not anywhere near that problem. I can't imagine a month where I actually finish all my goals.
I'm 50% done with my book for last Fridays call. Will finish shortly.
I'm only in this challenge so I'm finding it difficult to pick my own books to read. I end up reading little series books and crap like that when I don't have any guidance. :)
I think I have like 10 team type challenges and over 30 individual... So I don't get to free pick much.. LOL
It's pretty rare for me not to have a challenge to read for. I have a yearly challenge going, so I guess technically, I could read something for that. But I've got another 9 months to finish it, so there's no pressure to work on it at the moment. I get challenge burn out every once in a while, and then I take a little break, maybe change up which challenges I'm doing for a while. But there are so many options, if I don't have the structure of a challenge, it's hard to settle on what to read next.
Week 4.Option 2
238 pages
Read by Shannon. 12/24/16. Rated 4 stars
Popping my audiobook cherry with this one.
Becky wrote: "How's everyone doing? I actually ran out of challenge books to read for the month (finished my Meet-n-Greet books for Feb/March, found all the words for the March Word Hunt, and knocked out the Mar..."I'm in pretty much the same boat as you, Becky...RL kind of imploded on me for a couple of months and challenges weren't just low on my list of priorities, they weren't even on it. Getting back on track now for the last month or so, but not fully up to speed so finished all my challenges that are ending now a few days ago. Usually I'm sweating it right down to the wire! =P I'm doing a relisten of Black Hills , a Nora Roberts stand-alone RS from a few years ago - went back into my old audiobooks to find something that would be easy and about the right length to get me through until tomorrow when the new month starts...
Week #4 - Selection Post
Option 1
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince652 Pages (Kindle Version)
Qualification: Title starts with 'H'
Completion Post for Week 3, Option 2Week # 3
Key Date: 21 September 2016
Book: Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates
Read: 03/31/17
Pages: 323
Fits: Read by Karen H on 03/21/17 rated 4 stars
Rating: 3.5
Review:
Cozy mystery about a young lady that has no idea she comes from a long line of witches. Thrown into this unknown territory when her uncle is accused of murder does resorting to Spells for Dummies help? I enjoyed this intro to the series and am curious to know which guys she chooses, the hunky firefighter or the male witch that electrifies her?
Week #4: Read a book starting with the letter H for HuntBookcover/link: Hotline by Quinn Anderson
Page numbers: 347
How the book qualifies: title starts with the letter H
Selection PostWeek #4
Option 1: Title with H
Helping Hand by Jay Northcote
Pages: 132
[*book:Helping Hand|25824500]
Week #4: Read a book starting with the letter H for HuntBookcover/link: Hotline
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Zach is a phone sex operator. He doesn't love the job, but it pays the bills, mostly, and it leaves him with some interesting stories. And then he lands a "whale". John is a client who spends big bucks on long, daily calls, and he always asks for Zach. They have amazing chemistry, and Zach is in danger of breaking the #1 rule of sex workers- never get attached to a client. Then one night the impossible happens. Zach and John bump into each other in a bar and they recognize each other's voices.
This one was a bit odd. Some of it could have been me- I had trouble finding more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time until I hit the halfway point or so. It's hard to get a smooth reading experience when the actual reading part is so disjointed. There was a lot of sex, which was hot and made sense in context. But there wasn't a lot of non-sex interaction, so it was hard to see the connection outside the bedroom. I think we saw Zach mooning around about John more than we saw them relating as a couple. The fact that the entire story was told from Zach's point of view didn't help. John felt more like a cardboard cutout than a fleshed out character.
Week 4
4 stars
James works as a wildlife vet in Alaska. Teddy, a wildlife photographer wants to go and photograph him as he works, an idea which James is opposed to.
One day, Teddy shows up after agreeing with James' boos that he can shadow him.
A nice book with descriptive passages about Alaska and its wildlife.
Obviously the 2 get together with some scorching sex to boot.
I did wonder though where Teddy got all the cash to keep flying to Alaska.
Anyway, book 3 is set up and ready to go.
Plethora, have you chosen a week 4 book yet?
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Winter Kill (other topics)Crossing Lines (other topics)
Spencer Cohen, Book One (other topics)
Come Unto These Yellow Sands (other topics)
Fast Connection (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
N.R. Walker (other topics)Teresa Medeiros (other topics)
Kathi Daley (other topics)
Bruce Rose (other topics)
Sigrid Vansandt (other topics)
More...
Week # 1
Option 1 Task: 16. Read a book that has won or been nominated for an award.
Book: March by Geraldine Brooks
Read: 03/16/17
Pages: 280
Fits: Winner of Pulitzer Prize for Fiction - 2006
Rating: 3
Review:
While the book was very descriptive and didn't really hold back t describing the horrors of war and the treatment of slaves I wasn't able to get lost in Mr. March's world. Mr. March is the absent father from the Little Women book. While he journals his days as Chaplain in the military during the war he reflects on his life back home and flashes back to moments in his past.