Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

I don't have Kindle Unlimited :( I tried it for a few months a while back but it just didn't work out very well for me.

Ok, here's my picks for everyone:

Lisa: Rarer Than Rubies
Shannon: Tigerland
Becky: Sidecar
Plethora: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Governess Affair (free for Kindle) - couldn't decide which direction to go so I gave you both!
Caipi: You Get Full Credit For Being Alive

I have KU too.

Here are my picks.
MM readers, these are 5 star picks for me.
MF readers, I havent read MF in over 4 years so these are off of your tbrs.

Becky Strays
Shannon In The Absence of Monsters. Its on KU. Have the kleenex handy.
Plethora Truly, Madly
Caipi Who We Are
Karen H Hexbreaker

My picks for everyone:

Lisa: Out of the Rain
Shannon: A Hard Winter Rain
Becky: Blackbird Knitting in a Bunny's Lair
Caipi: Breaking Away
KarenH: The Eyre Affair

Lisa, I just read the blurb and thought it sounded familiar so I looked and I've read the Forbidden Room series. Same thing, yes? I guess I should mark that read. Didn't realize they were the same thing. I LOVED those books!!!

@ Becky: I don't have KU but I can read one KU book per month with Prime.

@ Plethora: Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude when I only picked mm books last night. Since we don't have any books in common, I needed more time to pick one for you. So my pick for you is A Gentleman in Moscow. It's not a romance, but it sounds really interesting and you seem to love historical reads.

Shannon wrote: "Lisa, I just read the blurb and thought it sounded familiar so I looked and I've read the Forbidden Room series. Same thing, yes? I guess I should mark that read. Didn't realize they were the same ..."

Yes it is the same. I couldnt remember the previous titles to check if you had read them.
Let me look for another choice.

Shannon, found the perfect book for you.
I trust you have read Grif's Toy.

So I am recommending Wes' Denial.
If you choose this one, keep the kleenex handy as it left me a sobbing wreck.

Thanks for the great picks so far. I'll decide which one to read after Becky posted her picks.

@ KarenH: Your pick for me is under 100 pages, I don't think I'm allowed to read it for this challenge?

My recommendations:

Lisa: from KU- The Millionaire Upstairs, off your TBR shelf- Gays of Our Lives- I enjoyed both of these.

Shannon: from KU- Fight the Tide, off your TBR shelf- The Lawrence Browne Affair- I read both of these recently and enjoyed them both.

Plethora: from KU- The Ghost in Mr. Pepper's Bed off you TBR shelf- Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians- I haven't read either of these, but the titles caught my attention!

Caipi: I don't know if you have KU or not, so I went ahead and picked one for you just in case- Beneath the Stain, from you TBR shelf- Strawberries for Dessert- I love this book!

~KarenH~: from KU- Ice Planet Barbarians, from your TBR shelf- Hexbreaker- I loved Hexbreaker, and the premise of Ice Planet Barbarians is kind of silly, but I just can't stop reading this series!

Aaaand I just realized I gave ~KarenH~ a KU selection, even though she told me not to. Whoops! Sorry. It's 3:30am here, and I think I need to drag my tired butt to bed!

I haven't read a couple of the #1 in the series chosen for me so I think I'll go with...

Week 9 Selection Post


What It Looks Like by Matthew J. Metzger
Pages: 264
Qualifies: Chosen by Caipi

Thanks so much for the picks everyone!!

Caipi wrote: "Thanks for the great picks so far. I'll decide which one to read after Becky posted her picks.

@ KarenH: Your pick for me is under 100 pages, I don't think I'm allowed to read it for this challenge?"

Shoot! I'm sorry - thought I checked page counts on everything. I had to discard several of my top choices for people because they were too short...obviously missed one. Off to find a different choice...back in a few! =)

Ok Caipi,...I was obviously too tired last night when I was doing my picks I found several this morning that I would have recommended over You Get Full Credit For Being Alive anyway. So here you go - a couple of picks since I botched it last night (and because I couldn't choose between the two): A Reason To Believe or Into Deep Waters. Both were amazing 5-star reads for me, and also very well done in audio. Sorry I messed up the first time around!

Becky wrote: "Aaaand I just realized I gave ~KarenH~ a KU selection, even though she told me not to. Whoops! Sorry. It's 3:30am here, and I think I need to drag my tired butt to bed!"

Not a problem, Becky - I have lots of good choices...enough that I'm having trouble making a decision which to read!

Shannon wrote: "I haven't read a couple of the #1 in the series chosen for me so I think I'll go with..."

Sorry, Shannon! I compared our books, and I saw Fight the Tide as a maybe. I shouldn't have assumed you'd already read book 1. I hope you enjoy your pick!

Week #9 - Selection Post

Option 1
Elements of Retrofit
124 Pages (Kindle Version)
Qualification: Picked by Caipi

Thanks for the picks everyone! I had a tough time deciding, so just ended up going with the shortest one...but the others are going on my M&G shelf for the next round! =)

Agreed Karen. I had a hard time choosing also!

Week 9

155 pages GR
Recommended by Caipi

Week 9 Completion Post


What It Looks Like by Matthew J. Metzger
Read: 5/7/17
Rating: ★★★★

This was so much different than any transgender story I've read before. That's not what got me. It was the grittiness of his and Rob's story. This wasn't some sugar coated romance with unicorns and rainbows. Eli's family hates Rob. Rob is a bit on the rough side and his brother is the same. Eli is still transitioning so he hasn't had his final surgery yet and Rob is his biggest supporter. So much more than everyone else in his life. Who knew? It's hard to explain. It needs to be read. There was a whole lot of sex in this book also. So much that I actually started skimming the scenes. And even the sex was different and very interesting. They had a power exchange but they took turns in power. So cool. My review won't do it any justice, it's just too hard to explain. Very, very enjoyable read!!

@Capai - no worries, I know I'm out numbered in this group by M/M readers. I hadn't really started liking at was recommended to me yet as was waiting for everyone to post. Since I only need to pick one it would have been fine.

I'll look at what everyone selected for me this evening when I'm home to make my selection post.

Week #9 Selection Post

Option 1
In The Absence Of Light by Adrienne Wilder
261 pages
Recommended by Shannon

I hope you love it as much as I did Caipi!! :)

Week #9: Recommend a book to another member in your team that they haven't read but that you think they should.
Bookcover/link: Sidecar
Page numbers: 270
How the book qualifies: recommended by ~KarenH~

Week 9

Date read: 5/7/17
4 stars

Not sure why I waited so long to read this book. It was funny and a very quick read.
Spencer has a job where he 'dates' men who want to make their exs jealous and get back to them. He meets Andrew and falls for him, something he isn't supposed to do.
We see the two make plans to see if Andrew's ex wants him back and all the while we see Spencer falling in love.
Great start to a series.

@Capai - Great choice on A Gentleman in Moscow, if my reading life wasn't so crazy right now I would have picked this. However things have been so crazy I don't think it is wise to commit to the length of this right now. I am hoping in a month and a half to have a return to a more normal reading life.

Initial Selection Post for Option 1

Week # 9

Task: 6. Treasure. Recommend a book to another member in your team that they haven't read but that you think they should.
Book: The Ghost in Mr. Pepper's Bed by Sigrid Vansandt
Page numbers: 184
Qualifies: Recommended by Becky

Week #9: Recommend a book to another member in your team that they haven't read but that you think they should.
Bookcover/link: Sidecar
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Sweet and a bit angsty and mostly sentimental. Joe and Casey stop to pick up a runaway on the side of the road, and then the story flashes back 25 years to when Joe picked up a homeless, teenaged Casey on the side of the road. From there it's just the story of their relationship, from foster "parent" to friendship to love.

Week #9 - Completion Post

Option 1
Elements of Retrofit
Finished 5/8/17 - 4 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this! I loved watching the relationship grow between these two guys who had a lot to overcome in order for their relationship to work, and how ultimately their differences complimented each other rather than tearing them apart. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!.

Have to head off to work, ran out of time this AM to post my formal completion for The Ghost in Mr. Pepper's Bed. Will do later today.

Week #9 Completion Post


In the Absence of Light
Rating: 3 stars?
Review:
How to write this review?
I finished this book two days ago and I still don't know how to rate it fair and how to put my thoughts in a review so that it makes sense.

First there's Morgan. This young, autistic man is an extraordinary character. He may have difficulties with some everyday things, but he has his own view of the world, has accomplished a lot. He knows exactly what he wants from life and he fights for it.
The author created so awesome moments with Morgan. I loved him, his mind and beautiful soul.

Then there's Grant. A nice guy, who may never really understand what Morgan sees, but he loves and accepts Morgan with all his layers.
The problem is, that Grant brings a lot of trouble from his past with him in Morgan's town. Trouble which involves the FBI and especially Grant's ex-boyfriend FBI agent Jeff. And while I enjoyed all the story around the FBI investigation, this subplot has taken so much space in the book, I actually felt like I was reading a second book. Even worse, at some point I could easily imagine a HEA for Grant and Jeff.

So in a few words, I enjoyed reading every single plot in this book individually, but as a whole, the book was overloaded and didn't convince me.

Week 10

Option 1 ~ Compulsory lists (Link to Jane's Post)
7. Cozy sleuths. Read a book from one of the following lists:
Kiss Ass Female Sleuths
Victorian/Regency Female Sleuths/Mysteries
Cozies with Romantic Subplots
Dysfunctional Sleuths
Best Gay Cozy or Amateur Sleuth Mystery

Option 2 Key date: 9 November 2016

Week 10 Selection Post
Option 2


Gone for You by Riley Hart
Pages: 224
Qualifies: Read by Caipi 3/5/2017, Rated: ★★★★

Week #10 - Selection Post

Option 1
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
386 Pages (Kindle Version)
Qualification: #104 on Kick ass female sleuths!

Ladies, next Friday (19th) is the last call for this round of Pass the Parcel.

If you want to try to read for the win, please note that all outstanding reviews must be posted before the call.

Week 10

228 pages

Holmes and Moriarity

Lisa wrote: "Ladies, next Friday (19th) is the last call for this round of Pass the Parcel.

If you want to try to read for the win, please note that all outstanding reviews must be posted before the call."

Noted. I will post up my two book completions this weekend. And I have a short one picked for this call.

Initial Selection Post for Option 1

Week # 10

Task: 7. Cozy sleuths. Read a book from one of the following lists:

Book: Grimm's Furry Tail by Kathi Daley
Page numbers: 188
Qualifies: Book #73, Page 1 of Cozies with Romantic Subplots

Week 10 Completion Post
Option 2


Gone for You by Riley Hart
Read: 5/13/17
Rating: ★★★★

I love Riley Hart books and this one was no exception. However, it was exhausting. Matt just wore me down. His life didn't seem all that horrible to me yet he was a freaking mess. Maybe if we'd experienced more of his let downs it would have been more understandable. And Oliver. Pining after Matt for over 10 years. That's some serious commitment to a seemingly lost cause. Did I adore Ollie? Hell yes but that seemed a bit on the pathetic side. I did love their chemistry both as best friends and as lovers but their journey was just a little OTT for me. Definitely worth a read and a great start to a new series. Can't wait for Chance and Miles' books!!

Week #10: Cozy sleuths
Bookcover/link: Murder Between the Pages
Page numbers: 144
How the book qualifies: listed by Jane in post 154 of the Q/A thread

Completion Post for Option 1

Week # 9

Task: 6. Treasure. Recommend a book to another member in your team that they haven't read but that you think they should.
Book: The Ghost in Mr. Pepper's Bed by Sigrid Vansandt
Read: 05/12/17
Page numbers: 184
Qualifies: Recommended by Becky
Rating: 3.5
Review: Thanks Becky, this was a humorous quick read. Some parts were such a hoot, its always fun to LOL at a book. Everyone gets into the action in this book from the neighborhood dogs, the neighbors and of course the ghost. The large amount of cozy mysteries on Amazon (in the under $3 to being on KU range) have been an awesome find for me to fulfill challenge categories. I used to not read this genre, stuck to my NF history. Those don't tend to lend themselves to quick reads, so I've had to branch out.

~KarenH~ wrote: " The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie..."

One of these days I'm going to get to this book! It has been on my TBR for a while now. I hear good things about it.

A Bookworm Reading (Plethora) wrote: "~KarenH~ wrote: " The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie..."

One of these days I'm going to get to this book! It has been on my TBR for a while now. I hear good things about it."

I finished it a little while ago and have mixed feelings...need to think about it a bit more before doing my completion post.

Week #10: Cozy sleuths
Bookcover/link: Murder Between the Pages
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This book pokes gentle fun of the mystery novels of the 1940s and 50s and of the quirks and rivalries of authors. An author is shot in the middle of a reading, and two rival mystery authors work together to figure out whodunit. The story was entertaining, but at 144 pages for a mystery and a bit of romance, it's not deep. I'd hesitate to call the romance even HFN. More like a "that was fun but I'm not entirely sure we should do that again" ending. I wouldn't mind more with these characters, but as far as I know, this is intended to be a one-off.

Week #10 - Completion Post

Option 1
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Finished 5/13/17 - 3 Stars

This is a difficult book for me to review. The writing was excellent and the story was interesting. Being a math/science geek at heart I enjoyed all the chemistry detail, even though that is one part of the book that I know some people don't like. The one big issue I had though was that I couldn't really decide who the primary audience should be. It's written in the first person POV in the voice of an 11-year-old girl, with a lot of things that would resonate with kids in that age range, but in a style and especially a vocabulary that is much more adult. This isn't necessarily bad, it just didn't work well for me personally. I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrator, Jayne Entwistle, did an amazing job - the best part of the book for me!

I know most of us are m/m readers, so I thought I'd mention that Strong Signal by Megan Erickson and Santino Hassell is 99 cents on Amazon right now. It's the first book in a series, and very well done IMO. It sounds like this price won't be good for long. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BO721I6/...

Week 10

Read 05/14/17
4 stars

I enjoyed this series. I really like it when the MCs are drawn into a mystery they dont really want to solve. Kit and JX are good together.
Liked the mystery with this one but what a strange and abrupt ending.
I guess this was the last in the series and it was nice to see Adrien and Jake.

Week #10 Selection Post
Option: 2

Crossing Lines by Bruce Rose
120 pgs.
Read by Lisa, 4/08/2017, rated 5 stars