Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Team Members

*Team Captain

*Mrs.soule
Mary
Fran
Ty
Carla
Mariana

1. Introduce yourself to your team. Definitely let your team members know where you are from. This is a 'nice to know' when categories are announced and when team-mates can expect other members to post their book choices.

2. Pick a Team Captain. The team captain will track the books read by the team and double-check that your book selection complies with the rules - eg make sure that the selection and completion posts are as per the formatting and information requested below (msg 3).

Anyone is free to ask questions in the Q&A/Announcement thread - here. If you are unsure, please ask.

Once a Captain has been decided, the Team Captain should reserve a couple of posts in this thread to track their team's book selection and completion. (Alternatively they could convert one of their chat comments to the tracking post/s.)

3. Name your team. This is not mandatory, but it is fun. Given we are an open/public group with no age limit, so please make sure any chosen name is smart, not smutty ;)

Please PM your name to Jane(PS) by 10 September.

4. If you have a private profile, please 'friend' your team-mates. This is really important, because without this, your team-mates can't see your shelves to select a books under option 2.

5. Please post your book selections/completions in the format provided below. (This format is also posted in both the Q&A and Sign-Up threads.) We need to know the week that each book corresponds to, the page numbers, and how the book qualifies including links to lists/shelves (where applicable), etc. I can't stress this enough. When in doubt - link it*!

* please don't link to your review in your completion post - reviews in your completion posts should be included in full in that post.

You don't want to start reading a book and then find it doesn't meet the requirements because some information (eg page count or theme link) was missing from your original post.

I will be monitoring this and your book will not be considered complete until I am satisfied that your selection and completion posts comply with the format rules of the challenge.

Remember - you can ONLY change your book selection in the week that the theme is called.

6. You MUST check in with your team each week, ideally once the theme is announced. Please let your team know if you except to have spotty communication or are on holidays or having an operation.

7. When you post the completion of your book, you must post a review; enough for us to know you have actually read the book. Please don't link to a review. You must post the review in this thread.

8. Re-reads are allowed but you can't read the same book twice within this challenge.

9. There is no prize for the winning team - bragging rights only :)

10. Each week, the theme will be announced in the Q&A/Announcement thread. The full list of themes announced during this round will be maintained in msg 1.


The Rule on the Pass Option
* Each team can only have ONE member using their pass each week.
* Each member can only use that pass once each 5 weeks.
* This means that one or two team members (dependent upon the size of your team) will miss using a pass in each 5 week block.
* No-one can use the pass option in the last week of the challenge.
* In the final week Option 2 has altered and I will be allocating each team another team from which their book selection must be chosen :)

Key selection and completion post information. You must have ALL elements in your book posts.


For the initial selection post Option 1 I need:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please insert a link to the qualifying bookshelf/list.
If the theme is based off the bookcover or a letter in the title etc, please just repeat the theme.

For the initial selection post Option 2 I need:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.



For the completion post I need:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review


Please DO NOT CHAT in these selction/completion posts. It needs to be super clear.

If you 'waffle' about your decided book - please REPOST your selection once you decide. DO NOT go back and edit your waffling post.

I'll be tracking each team's progress separately, using the Captain's summary in each team's thread to check for accuracy.

A summary chart will be posted in the last week to let teams know their progress against other teams :)

Team 1! Team 1! Team 1!


anyhoo, first timer with PtP, tho I've kept my eye on some of it for the previous 2 rounds. Decided to jump in on this as I'm taking a break from a bigger challenge I was obsessed with...

I'm generally on GR pretty much any time of the day during work hours. Oh, which is Eastern standard time, as I'm currently in Virginia. I'm a fast reader and could probably finish a book in a day if I had the free time.

looking forward to this! oh, and no captain please. I might need guidance just as a regular participant. haha.

Ty wrote: "Team 1! Team 1! Team 1!


anyhoo, first timer with PtP, tho I've kept my eye on some of it for the previous 2 rounds. Decided to jump in on this as I'm taking a break from a bigger challenge I was ..."


Hey, Ty! I'm not on your team, but I think you're going to have a GREAT time!!!

Hi, my name is Mariana,I'm from Romania and I'm 24 years old. I like to read all kind of books, and I'm a fast reader too, if I have the necessary time.
I participated in the first Ptp and it was a fun experience, so I'm excited for this round too.

Hi Team 1!

I'm Fran, I'm from NY, Eastern time zone. My boys just went off to college the other day and my daughter started her last year of middle school. It is finally a little quiet in my house, lol. Too quiet actually. But more reading time :)

I read mostly Contemporary romance right now, with a bit of all other sub-genres thrown in. Historical and UF/PNR are my least favorites choices these days having read way too much of both in the past. I love humor in my romance and an HEA is very important to me. Some smut is always good too :)

I'm excited to try out this challenge and also meet all of my teammates!

Like Ty, I prefer not to be team captain...I need some guidance too!

welcome everyone


I am living in Texas (Central Time Zone). I don't work anymore due to a disability that prevents it. I have had two knee replacement surgeries in the past two years. I have two gorgeous grandsons.

I read a lot too. Basically, at least 4-6 books a week. I have lots of free time.

You will enjoy this challenge it is fun. Last time was my first so still new here to this challenge.

I prefer not to be team captain either.

Team 1 name ideas...

The Fun Ones
One Love
One Thing Leads To Another

name idea

The Sexy Ones
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Crazy Ones

I like The Sexy Ones Mary!

Hi everyone! This is my 3rd PtP challenge - I think they're great! I'm in North Carolina, where I just recently moved from Virginia, so hi Ty!

Reading is my favorite hobby and I'm on GR all the time. My local library isn't as well-stocked as the one in Virginia, so I might be choosing the teammates shelves option a lot (although I've recently discovered free ebooks, so I hope that helps me this round). This will be my 3rd PtP round!

Mariana wrote: "Hi, my name is Mariana,I'm from Romania and I'm 24 years old. I like to read all kind of books, and I'm a fast reader too, if I have the necessary time.
I participated in the first Ptp and it was a..."

Mariana, where in Romania are you? I used to live in Tirgu-Mures - my parents were medical missionaries there.

I'm from Brasov, but I have been to Tirgu - Mures a few times and I liked it.
I don't want to be team captain, English is not my first language and even if I understand quite a lot I don't want to make any mistakes.

Well if no one else wants to, I'll be team captain - unless when Carla shows up she wants it! Then it's all hers!

Mariana, I visited Brasov with friends once. We also saw Bran Castle on the same trip - it is such a beautiful area!

Thanks, Sass! I do like me some team challenges. :)

Where in Va were you, Mrs. soule? I'm in the tidewater area. I'm actually going to visit a friend down in Elizabeth City, NC this weekend. Just a quick hop down the highway!

Looks like we have some experienced PtPers along with us newbies. Yay! and if you or Carla are all about captainhood, that's great, too.

Anyhoo, name suggestions -

Page Pillagers - my suggestion for a previous Bingo tournie (our team won!)
First & Goal
Lunch Ladies - makes no sense whatsoever. I just think it's funny.
Frisky Firsties
One For All

etc...

I liked Fran's idea of The Fun Ones, although Frisky Firsties is good too!

I was Va Beach, right near Regent. Now we are out in north-western NC and the Outer Banks are so much further away! We didn't make our annual trip this summer, but we're thinking of getting out there for fall break. I think the beach is even better in the fall!

I'm in Greenbrier!

I like The fun ones and Frisky Firsties too.

Captain's Summary

Reading This Week

Mrs.soule:
Week 10


Barely a Lady by Eileen Dreyer
392 pgs per goodreads
Fits per on Made-Me-Cry shelf - 9th page of book's shelves: https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

Mary:
Week #10
Bookcover/link
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
Page numbers 410 pgs GR
How the book qualifies Shelves > Made Me Cry >
Popular Made Me Cry Books https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... First pages about half way down

Carla:

Week 10
Bookcover/link
Slammed
Page number 317 per GR
How the book qualifies https://www.goodreads.com/genres/made...

Fran:
Week 10

Book- The Story Guy

Pages- 131
How it fits- #106 on the list- Tear Jerker Romance Novels that Jerked the Tears Right Out of Ya-
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

Mariana:
Week # 10


Book: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
Page numbers: 352 per GR
How the book qualifies on page 5 Made Me Cry

Status Summary

Week 1: Complete!

Mrs.soule: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - 295 pgs - Completed
Mary: Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz - 368 pgs - Completed
Carla: Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park - 389 pgs - Completed
Ty: How to Date a Nerd by Cassie Mae - 230 pgs - Completed
Fran: Deep Desires by Charlotte Stein - 101 pgs - Completed
Mariana:Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt - 360 pgs - Completed

Week 2: Complete!

Mrs.soule: Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas - 391 pgs - Completed
Mary: After the Night by Linda Howard - 352 pgs - Completed
Carla: Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas - 285 pgs - Completed
Ty: To Wed a Wicked Earl by Olivia Parker - 371 pgs - Completed
Fran: The Bigger They Are by Kim Alan - 101 pgs - Completed
Mariana:Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley - 412 pgs - Completed

Week 3: Complete!

Mrs.soule: And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke - 375 pgs - Completed
Mary: The Boy Who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window by Kristy Mosley - 242 pgs - Completed
Carla: Leo by Mia Sheridan - 191 pgs - Completed
Fran: Jealous And Freakn' by by Eve Langlais - 231 pgs - Completed
Mariana: Hot Head by Damon Suede - 320 pgs - Completed

Week 4: Complete!

Mrs.soule: The Lion's Daughter by Loretta Chase - 368 pgs - Completed
Mary: The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne – 307 pgs - Completed
Carla: The Trouble with Tomboys by Linda Kage – 250 pgs - Completed
Fran: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall – 272 pgs - Completed
Mariana: The Hook Up by Kristin Callahan – 335 pgs - Completed

Week 5: Complete!

Mrs.soule: Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett – 358 pgs – Completed
Mary: Inevitable by Angela Graham – 320 pgs - Completed
Carla: Mackenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard – 256 pgs - Completed
Fran: Confessions of an Alli Cat by Courtney Cole – 201 pgs – Completed
Mariana: Against the Wall by Rebecca Zanetti – 195 pgs – Completed

Week 6: Complete!

Mrs.soule: Give Him the Slip by Geralyn Dawson - 320 pgs - Completed
Mary: Pass
Carla: The Groom Says Yes by Cathy Maxwell – 384 pgs - Completed
Fran: Girl with Guitar by Caisey Quinn – 210 pgs - Completed
Mariana: Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton - 355 pgs - Completed

Week 7: Complete!

Mrs.soule: Kill and Tell by Linda Howard – 305 pgs – Completed
Mary: Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl – 347 pgs - Completed
Carla: Cade by Liliana Hart – 218 pgs - Completed
Fran: Lyric's Cop by Jory Strong – 202 pgs - Completed
Mariana: Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl – 347 pgs – Completed

Week 8: Complete!

Mrs.soule: Firelight by Kristen Callihan - 372 pgs - Completed
Mary: Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward – 527 pgs – Completed
Carla: Scarred by J.S. Cooper – 128 pgs – Completed
Fran: Pass
Mariana: With or Without Him by Barbara Elsborg – 427 pgs – Completed

Week 9: Complete!

Mrs.soule: Queen of Shadows by Diane Sylvan – 389 pgs - Completed
Mary: Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase - 464 pgs – Completed
Carla: Pleasure of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole - 431 pgs - Completed
Fran: Worthy by Lia Black – 144 pgs - Completed
Mariana: Dark Lover by J.R. Ward – 393 pgs - Completed

Week 10:

Mrs.soule: Barely a Lady by Eileen Dreyer - 392 pgs - Completed
Mary: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover - 410 pgs
Carla: Slammed by Colleen Hoover – 317 pgs
Fran: The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers - 131 pgs – Completed
Mariana: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins – 352 pgs - Completed

In case you didn't catch it on the announcements board, Jane is up for starting the challenge on Monday if she has team names. Are you ready for a vote?

Names that have been seconded on this board so far are:
The Sexy Ones
The Fun Ones
Frisky Firsties

I like Frisky Firsties.

Fun Ones
or Sexy Ones either is fine with me

I like The Fun Ones or Frisky Firsties

All right, Ty - it's pretty much up to you! The Fun Ones and Frisky Firsties both have 3 votes. If you have a preference between the two, we'll go with that!

I'll go with frisky! I have to give credit to my little cousin, tho. He says, "I'm firstie" whenever he's thirsty and I always laugh. so freaking cute.

Sweet! That's a really nice way to pick Ty :)

Yay Frisky Firsties!

I'm excited to find out our first theme today!

me too!!

What time does she usually post? Isn't it 5:30pm EST? (She's killing me!) :D

All right, we have a theme!!

Week 1

Option 1:
12. MC is a nerd/geek/genius - from the following lists:
Books With Nerdy, Geeky or Genius Heroes and Heroines
Brainy Genius Romantic Heroes
Nerdgasms
Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters

Option 2:
Key date: 8 March 2014


*Please* ensure your selection and completion posts comply with msg 3 in the 'We're Off and Running' Thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Week 1
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

295 pgs per goodreads

Qualifies per #58 on Brainy Genius Romantic Heroes list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Week # 1
Bookcover/link: Trust Me by Jane Ann Krantz

Page numbers 368 pages

How the book qualifies - per #38 on brainy genuis romantic heroes
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

here goes!

Week 1
Bookcover/link: How to Date a Nerd - Cassie Mae
Page numbers: 230
How the book qualifies: #133 on Nerdgasms

great book, Mrs. soule!

Week 1


Bookcover/link: Deep Desires by Charlotte Stein
Page numbers: 101 per GR
How the book qualifies: #384 on Books_With_Nerdy_Geeky_or_Genius_Heroes_and_Heroines

Page 4 where book can be found on list

Week 1

Book:Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt
Page numbers: 360 pages per goodreads
How the book qualifies - #22 on https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Ty wrote: "great book, Mrs. soule!"

It was SO GOOD!!!

Week #1- MC is a nerd/geek/genius

Deep Desires

4 stars

Review-
I really enjoy Charlotte Stein's writing and this was another good one by her. Abbie and Ivan are two broken souls who make a connection. Granted, it is a voyeuristic, kinky first connection. But it's a compelling one, and what happens with the two of them after the first encounter across their courtyard is hot, emotional and more. I loved this pair and I wish the story had been a little longer. A little more build up in the beginning and a little more info about their pasts would have made this story even better.
I really liked it, the nerdy/geeky hero is one of my favorite genres!

Week #1
Bookcover/link Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz
Rating (1-5) 4*
Review

Sam Stark is the founder and owner of Stark Security Systems. He is a nerd. He is about to get married but his fiancee ditches him at the altar. This is the second time this has happened to him. What is wrong? Why do the women walk out on him? Could it be him or is it her? He's looking for a woman that will handle all the social aspects of his life. He just isn't good at it he prefers computers to people. Stark wants nothing to do with his family.

Desdemona is a caterer. She is the responsible member of her family, all others in are family are in the theater. She supports her family with jobs and would do anything for them. She loves them especially her step-brother Tony.

(view spoiler)[Desdemona and Stark meet when she is caters his wedding reception. She has to get him to pay the bill so she follows him into his office to give him the bill. He complains to her about his ex-fiancee and what she did. After all, what is wrong with him? Why did she leave a note? Was it anything to do with the pre-nup? Stark is so annoying some times. He is so logical and analytically. He comes across as having no emotions at all. Kind of opposites attract in theory. Desdemona is very emotional. Everything Desdemona and her family do are very theatrical.

During a party at Stark's house (Desdemona is catering) he is altered to a breach in his study upstairs. He goes to investigate but sees no one coming down the stairs or in his study. He starts looking closer and discovers the back of the computer has been tampered with and finds toothpicks several of them. He immediately jumps to the conclusion it is someone on Desdemona crews. Number one suspects is Tony. Tony is Desdemona's stepbrother of whom Stark thinks he is jealous of Stark. If it isn't Tony then who? One of Desdemona's family members? Or an employee? Will they find out who it is before it is to late?

Desdemona arrives at work one morning and finds the front door open. She thinks one of the crew got there early and started to work. She finds the freezer slightly ajar. Some one comes out of her office with a gun. She throws a kettle at them and he shots wildly twice. She runs for the freezer pulls the emergence locks and locks herself in. The only problem with that is she is claustrophobic. She tries to open the freezer door but something is blocking it. Now what is she to do? She looks around and finds her employee Vernon is dead in the corner. Oh! Crap! Not good. She slowly slides down the freezer wall and hears a thunk. She reaches in her pocket and pulls out the PDA Stark had given her for her birthday a few days before. Thank God for logical, analytically thinking Stark. She emails him and tells him she is in the freezer and needs him to come rescue her so he does. All the Wainwrights are sitting around talking about has happen when Stark ask where Tony is. They tell him he got on a plane this morning and went back to L.A. Coincidental I think not.. Really just left.. Something isn't right? (hide spoiler)]

Well, I won't go in to a lot of detail as I feel you need to read the book. There are a lot of twist and turns that is what make a good suspense. I really believed it was Tony but you can't always look at the obvious person and that is what Tony is. The person that did it was very close to Stark. The only person he trusted. Now, he is hurt and very closed off after all, if it hadn't been for Stark getting involved with Desdemona none of this would of happened to her family. Will Stark learn to trust? Is he unfeeling? Is he really an android? Just a computer for a brain? So, do Desdemona and Stark get married? What do you think after all he has had two failed attempts. Will he have a third? Or finally success?

Week 1: nerd/geek hero/heroine
The Rosie Project
5 stars

This book was highly entertaining - it was interesting, heart-breaking, hysterical, and romantic. I loved the hero, Don, and his methods for coping with the chaos of life. I love how he did everything in his power to win his lady. I appreciated the insider's view of Asperger's - I thought it was very well done, to the point I could completely see where Don was coming from and why the behavior and conversation of others seemed bizarre to him.

Mary wrote: "Week #1
Bookcover/link Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz
Rating (1-5) 4*
Review

Sam Stark is the founder and owner of Stark Security Systems. He is a ne..."

Mary - great review, but please make sure you aren't revealing any plot developments. I'm thinking that most of the paragraphs should be hidden by the spoiler tag...?

sorry Jane. When I start to write I never know when to shut up lol. I will try to do better in the future.

How is what I did on the edit?

Week 1

Book: Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I love Elizabeth Hoyt, she knows how to write unique stories and to make me fall in love with her heroes. Winter is a wonderful man and I just love everything about him, he is so kind. If you want to read a different kind of historical romance I recommend you this series.
My favorite quote and the reason I fell in love with Winter:
(view spoiler)[“I'll never look at you in any way but complete admiration.” He stroked her hair soothingly. “You will never be a millstone about my neck. Rather you're the sunshine that brightens my day.” He swallowed. “Don't you see? You brought me into the daylight. You've embraced parts of me that I was never able to let see light. Don't make me retreat again into the night. (hide spoiler)]

Thanks Mary :) So long as your Tony comments in the last para aren't revealing I think we are good!

Week #1

Bookcover/link: How to Date a Nerd - Cassie Mae
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
How cuuuute was this?? At first, I was a bit thrown off by the, like totally, Valley High tone of the first person POV. But I shook it off and told myself to get with the program! This is YA without the mommy or daddy drama, the childhood traumas, the substance abuse, or the glittery supernatural beings. This is all about Real-Time Geekhood and what it takes to embrace who you are versus who you want to be. Naturally, I shed a few tears but the overal lightness of the story was a great balm for me (during my depressing plane trip). Highly rec.