Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion

It’s Gisela’s birthday month, so she's throwing her weight around by creating May's challenge all about what she’s into now.

RULES: Choose from the list below, selecting a category more than once, if you desire. Also, there is the Spell-It-Out Option. Or you may do a bit of both!

DURATION: May 1st - 31st, 2017

LEVELS:  

1-2 - Easy
3-5 - Medium
6-9 - Harder
10 or more - Hardest

Categories:

- Gisela lives in the Caribbean where the weather is balmy all year long and the beach is only a short drive away. Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover.

-Specifically, she lives in Puerto Rico, which boasts an incredible 16 century fortified citadel and the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the New World (since 1540). Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting.

- As you can guess, she's Latina. Read a book where the one of the MC is Latino/Latina.

-She's also an introvert who loves to read. Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower.

-She teaches English as a second language. Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher.

- She's been married for 10 years to a cop. Read the 10th book in a series or a book where one of the MC is in law enforcement.

-She has two kids, an 8 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure.

-She loves Star Wars and science fiction romance. Read a book that fits into one of the categories in the Star Wars Challenge or a sf romance.

-She also loves Lord of the Rings and fantasy. Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book.

Quick Category Reference for Copying - Under spoiler. (view spoiler)[
-Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover.
-Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting.
-Read a book where the one of the MC is latino/latina.
-Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower.
-Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher.
-Read the 10th book in a series or a book where one of the MC is in law enforcement.
-Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure.
-Read a book that fits into one of the categories in the Star Wars Challenge or a sf romance.
-Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book.
(hide spoiler)]

Spell-It-Out Option: Select a word from these categories, or one that speaks to you of May, and Spell-It-Out. Read books with titles, series names, authors (first or last name), character (first or last name), that begin with letters that correspond to letters of the word you choose. You may ignore the indefinite and definite articles (a, an, the, etc.).

Example of Spell-It-Out:

B.- Briggs, Patricia author of Silence Fallen
E.- Elder Races #7 Night's Honor by Thea Harrison
A.- Amanda Stevens author of The Visitor
C.- Cole, Kresley author of Wicked Abyss
H.- The Hidden Masters of Marandur by Jack Campbell

Option #3 - Both! - Do a bit of both!

“Wild Card” Birthdays in May Don’t forget: you may replace any category with a book from one of these birthday babes’ shelves.

Gisela
Ishi
Joann
KarenF
Lisa
Mee
Shilpa

Reserved.

May 2017: Gisela's Takeover
May 1st - 31st, 2017
Option #3 - Both!
6-9 - Harder

11/9 DONE

B Brownies & Betrayal 5/3
E Engaged in Death 5/3
A Alaskan Wolf 5/4
C Callaghan, Hope Nightmare in Nantucket 5/9
H Hungry Like the Wolf 5/2

island or seaside setting Immortal Unchained 5/3
-heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower Twisted Vine 5/9
-MC is in law enforcement. Dead Wake 5/7
MC is a parent Unbreakable Bonds 5/1
-Star Wars Challenge third in a series Showdown in Mudbug 5/5
-fantasy A Grave Prediction 5/8

May 2017: Gisela's Takeover
May 1st - 31st, 2017
Option #3 - Both!
Level: 10 or more - Hardest

Read 16/10+

C: Change of Heart 5/10 ★★★
A: Action 5/15 ★★★★
R: Rise & Fall 5/20 ★★★★
I: Intercepting the Chef 5/1 ★★★
B: Beyond Reason 5/17 ★★★
B: The Shark by Mary Burton 5/4 ★★★★
E: Try by Ella Frank 5/2 ★★★★
A: Shock & Awe by Abigail Roux 5/5 ★★★★
N: Sixty Five Hours by N.R. Walker 5/7 ★★★★

-Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover. Cowboys Don't Come Out 5/6 ★★★★
-Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting. Prince's Gambit 5/8 ★★★★★
-Read a book where the one of the MC is latino/latina.
-Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower.
-Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher. Off Base 5/7 ★★★★
-Read the 10th book in a series or a book where one of the MC is in law enforcement. Divide & Conquer 5/28 ★★★★★
-Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure. Devil's Own 5/16 ★★★
-Read a book that fits into one of the categories in the Star Wars Challenge or a sf romance. Sixty Five Hours 5/7 ★★★★
-Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book. Kings Rising 5/11 ★★★★★

Trea's May 2017 Gisela's Takeover Challenge
Option: Both
Level: Harder (6-9 Books)
Read: 8/8

M- Midnight at Tiffany's by Sarah Morgan-5/2/17
O- Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb-5/1/17
T- Tomboy Bride by Alicia Street-5/15/17
H- Second Chances: Love in Juniper Ridge by Heather Tullis-5/11/17
E- Bridged by Kendra Elliot-5/17/17
R- PS... You're Mine by Alexa Riley-5/3/17

-Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover.
-Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting.
-Read a book where the one of the MC is latino/latina.
-Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower.
-Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher.
-Read the 10th book in a series or a book where one of the MC is in law enforcement.: Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb-5/20/17
-Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure.
-Read a book that fits into one of the categories in the Star Wars Challenge or a sf romance.: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by Alexander Freed-5/10/17
-Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book.

I'm in for 5 books:

B = Break the Sky May 4th - LOVED!! - 5+++ stars
E = An Exaltation of Larks May 12th - 5 perfect stars
A = Aloha, Baby! May 3rd - cute - 3.25 stars
C = Collecting the Pieces May 17th - 4 stars
H = Hidden Bodies May 7th - 5 creepy stars

I'm in, too. Not sure what I'll spell, though.

I'm in! How could I not? ;P

**gigglesnort**

I'm in

Gisela wrote: "I'm in! How could I not? ;P"

Lol Really how could you not?

May 2017 Challenge
1/5/17 – 31/5/17
Spell-It-Out Option
Level: Harder
0/8

S
T
A
R
W
A
R
S

I'm in for categories at the Harder level

-Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover. Copper Beach 5/17
-Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting. Mystique 5/7
-Read a book where the one of the MC is latino/latina. The Mane Event 5/5
-Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower. The Quiet Gentleman 5/16
-Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher. Maybe This Time 5/3
-Read the 10th book in a series. Through Uncharted Space 5/7
-Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure. Rendezvous 5/12
-Read a sf romance. Last Chance: Sunscapes Trilogy 5/6
-Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book. Fated 5/6

Read: 9/9

I'm in haven't done a challenge here in forever and yay I need to read a book with a Latina/Latino person this year.
Read 5/9
✓-Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover.Anne of Green Gables Prince Edward Island
-Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting.
-Read a book where the one of the MC is latino/latina. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
✓-Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower.Puzzle Me This
-Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher.
✓-Read the 10th book in a series or a book where one of the MC is in law enforcement.Fire and Hail
✓-Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure.Forever Home
✓-Read a book that fits into one of the categories in the Star Wars Challenge or a sf romance. Child in story The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
-Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book.Every Heart a Doorway

RLfCI: Gisela's Takeover - May 2017
Level: Hardest 10+ / Option 3
Finished May 31 - Books Read: 16 of 19
❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀

Books read to date: 16

✗ - ❀ Part I: Spell-it-out ❀ 10 of 10

✔︎ B. Title Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie |★★★★| May 1
✔︎ E. Ch: Emma Can You Keep A Secret? by Sophie Kinsella |★★★★| May 6
✔︎ A. Title A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab |★★★★★| May 12
✔︎ C. Title A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas |★★★★★| May 13
✔︎ H. Ch: Hart Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley |★★| May 8
✔︎ R. Author The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks |★★★★| May 10
✔︎ E. Author Dragon Spawn by Eileen Wilks |★★★½| May 20
✔︎ A. Title An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire |★★★★★| May 14
✔︎ D. Author All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr |★★★★★| May 17
✔︎ S. Title Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones |★★★| May 20


❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀

❀ PART II: Categories: ❀ 6 of 9

✔︎ 1. -Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover.
---> Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas |★★★★| May 9
❑ 2. -Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting.
--->
❑ 3. -Read a book where the one of the MC is latino/latina.
--->
❑ 4. -Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower.
--->
✔︎ 5. -Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher. Olivia becomes the teacher
of a secret Freedman school after the Civil War.
---> To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander |★★★★| May 31
✔︎ 6. -Read the 10th book in a series. How it fits: Book is #10 in Mercy Thompson Series
---> Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs |★★★★★| May 5
✔︎ 7. -Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure.
---> Close To Home by Suzanne Ferrell |★★★★| May 4
✔︎ 8. -Read a sf romance.
---> Moonglow by Kristen Callihan |★★★½| May 16
✔︎ 9. -Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book. How it fits: Shelved as Urban Fantasy
---> Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep |★★★★★| May 4

~~~
❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀

RLftCI: May 2017: Gisela's Takeover Challenge

0/5

B. - Bedwyn Saga #3 Slightly Scandalous, by Mary Balogh (audible.com & PB)
E. - Elder Races #7 - Night's Honor, by Thea Harrison (audible.com & Kindle)
A. - Arsenault, Elise (narrator) Mission Impawsible, by Krista Davis
      (audible.com & PB)
C. - Cole, Kresley - Wicked Abyss (audible.com & Kindle)
H. - Holter Graham (narrator) Fair Game, by Patricia Briggs
      (audible.com & HC)

Welcome, ladies!

May 2017

Challenge Accepted: May 4, 2017
Challenge Completed: May 31, 2017

-Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover.
-Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting.
-Read a book where the one of the MC is latino/latina.
-Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower.
-Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher.
-Read the 10th book in a series or a book where one of the MC is in law enforcement.
-Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure.White Tiger by Jennifer Ashley 5-7-17
-Read a book that fits into one of the categories in the Star Wars Challenge or a sf romance.
-Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book The Unyielding by Shelly Laurenston 5-6-17

~May's Challenge~

Read 3/?

B Bowen, Sarina author of The Shameless Hour
E
A Amanda Stevens, author of The Awakening
C
H The Hidden Masters of Marandur

Does anybody have recommendations for the sci fi or fantasy task?

Elishia wrote: "Does anybody have recommendations for the sci fi or fantasy task?"

I've had Kenobi highly recommended to me. I would also recommend any of the Sarah J. Maas books, if you haven't read them yet.

Thanks Trea I'll check them out

Elishia wrote: "Thanks Trea I'll check them out"

Not a problem! I'm reading Kenobi myself this month!

⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "Elishia wrote: "Thanks Trea I'll check them out"

Not a problem! I'm reading Kenobi myself this month!"
I know nothing about star wars so not sure if I can read it, I'll have to see if anybody comments about it.

Elishia wrote: "Does anybody have recommendations for the sci fi or fantasy task?"

Here are some authors who are popular. Note that some are not considered romance authors, but often have a romance in their books. And some write in more than one genre.

For SF romance:
Linnea Sinclair
Jayne Castle aka Jayne Ann Krentz
Rachel Bach
Connie Willis

For fantasy romance:
Grace Draven
G.A. Aiken
Lois McMaster Bujold
Martha Wells

For urban fantasy:
Patricia Briggs
Ilona Andrews
Tanya Huff
Nalini Singh

Woah thanks Lara

Lara's list is a great place to start. I've read and enjoyed:

Linnea Sinclair-
Grace Draven-
Lois McMaster Bujold- <--sf and <-- fantasy
Patricia Briggs- I love both the Mercy Thompson and the Alpha and Omega series.
Ilona Andrews- I love anything and everything by her Kate Daniels is UF while Innkeeper Chronicles is a mix of SF and fantasy, so it would work for either category.
Nalini Singh- The Psy-Changeling series was pretty great. Especially
I haven't finished the Guild Hunter series yet, but really like what I've read so far.

Definitely looking into Rachel Bach, Martha Wells, and Tanya Huff!

Thanks Gisela they're not genres I usually read, I have some of the urban fantasy ones on my tbr, I actually need to catch up on Psy.

I'm in.

May 2017 Gisela's Takeover Challenge
Option: 1 Categories
Level: Hardest 10 or more
Read: 4/10 +

Categories:
-Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover. ~ ~ 5/7

-Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting. ~ ~ 5/2

-Read a book where the one of the MC is latino/latina.

-Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower.

-Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher. ~ ~ 5/9

-Read the 10th book in a series or a book where one of the MC is in law enforcement. ~ ~ 5/10

-Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure.

-Read a book that fits into one of the categories in the Star Wars Challenge or a sf romance.

-Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book.

Read a book where the one of the MC is Latino/Latina: , 5/11/17

-Read a book with an island or seaside setting or with a beach or seashells on the cover.
-Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting.
-Read a book where the heroine is shy, an introvert, bookish, or a wallflower.
-Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher: , 5/26/17
-Read the 10th book in a series or a book where one of the MC is in law enforcement.
-Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure.

-Read a book that fits into one of the categories in the Star Wars Challenge ...goes to war & in the mountains: , 5/20/17


-Read an urban fantasy book: , 5/13/17

If anybody is looking for a book for an Island or Parent The Storied Life of A.J. FikryFits both.

Story with a castle read the new "Anya and Miles- Book 1"

Finished.

I'm in for 5 books:

B = Break the Sky May 4th - LOVED!! - 5+++ stars
E = An Exaltation of Larks May 12th - 5 perfect stars
A = Aloha, Baby! May 3rd - cute - 3.25 stars
C = Collecting the Pieces May 17th - 4 stars
H = Hidden Bodies May 7th - 5 creepy stars

Congrats, Silvia!

Way to go Silvia

Yea Silvia!

Congrats Silvia

Congrats, Silvia!

Woohoo! Congrats, Silvia!

Thanks all!

Congrats to all who joined this months challenge!

BIRTHDAY UPDATE:

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a wonderful day. Spent the morning playing with the kids outside. Then for lunch, the kids stayed with my MIL and my husband took me to a new place that recently opened and I wanted to try. Then we had dinner with my family and some friends at my parents house. Couldn't have imagined a better day!

Gisela wrote: "BIRTHDAY UPDATE:

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a wonderful day. Spent the morning playing with the kids outside. Then for lunch, the kids stayed with my MIL and my husband took me to a new p..."

Happy Belated Birthday, Gisela! I'm so glad your special day was amazing!

Gisela wrote: "BIRTHDAY UPDATE:

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a wonderful day. Spent the morning playing with the kids outside. Then for lunch, the kids stayed with my MIL and my husband took me to a new p..."

Happy birthday Gisela! Glad you had a great day :xxx

Happy B-Day, Gisela!

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

Thank you! :)

~May's Challenge~

Read 4/?

B.-Bowen, Sarina author of The Shameless Hour
E
A.-Amanda Stevens, author of The Awakening
C. Cole, Kresley, author of Wicked Abyss
H The Hidden Masters of Marandur

Happy belated birthday Gisela

Happy belated Birthday to you Gisela. Sounds like you had the perfect day! ; )

Thank you, Elishia!

Silvia, thank you and yes I did!

I'm done!

I'm in for categories at the Harder level

-Read a book with an island setting. Copper Beach 5/17
-Read a book with a castle on the cover or as a setting. Mystique 5/7
-Read a book where the one of the MC is latina. The Mane Event 5/5
-Read a book where the heroine is a wallflower. The Quiet Gentleman 5/16
-Read a book where one of the MC is a teacher. Maybe This Time 5/3
-Read the 10th book in a series. Through Uncharted Space 5/7
-Read a book where one of the MC is a parent or a parent figure. Rendezvous 5/12
-Read a sf romance. Last Chance: Sunscapes Trilogy 5/6
-Read a fantasy or urban fantasy book. Fated 5/6

Read: 9/9