Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Week 6

Option 1
6. Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition in the United States.
* Read a book with the letter 'U' or 'Z' in the title.
(Anywhere in the title; does not need to be a capital)


Option 2
Book chosen from a team member's shelf that was read on the date below or more recently and rated at least 3 stars.
Key Date: April 12, 2019

Thanks Emeli!

Week 5
Tigers on the Run by Sean Kennedy


Read: (10/11)

Rating: ★★★★

So Simon and Declan are back and as well as their life is going there's new complications coming. But as usual Simon's snark is reigning supreme. And now his careful little world is all disturbed with one of his friends dating his most nefarious of evil nemesis'. The snark levels between Simon and Jasper were epic. I felt for Coby stuck in the middle, but then again he was struggling with things too and there were a lot of hurt feelings at times.

Of course Declan's got trouble of his own trying to mentor his young protege. Micah is troubled and not having the easiest time of it being an out gay teen about to get drafted by the AFL. I actually really liked the connection between Micah and Simon. It was awkward and struggled but yet seemed to really have something as well.

This story had Dec and Simon starting to talk and face some things about their future. There was a lot of up and down in this story with their relationship. Everything that was going on actually made them face things in their own relationship as well. They're only stronger because of everything they face together.

Week 6 Selection Post
U or Z in Title


Rules to Break by Susan Hawke
Pages: 311
Qualification: "U" in Title

[*book:Rules to Break|48107979]

Week 6: Pulitzer Prize
Lucky Break
400 pages
Qualifies: U in Lucky

Calila wrote: "Writing my review now, don't kick me JANE! =P"

LOL - as IF I would resort to violence ;P

Selection Post: Week 6: U or Z in the title
Option 1



Book: Cowboys Don't Ride Unicorns
Author: Tara Lain
Pages: 226/GR
How it Fits: U in the title

[*book:Cowboys Don't Ride Unicorns|34149312]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Calila wrote: "Writing my review now, don't kick me JANE! =P"

LOL - as IF I would resort to violence ;P"

hahahahaha! I just meant from the challenge, don't kick me from the challenge.

Calila, I'm doing Lucky Break too...

Selection Post: Week 6: U or Z in the title
Option 1
by A.M. Arthur
Length: 400 pages / GR
How it Qualifies: U in Lucky
[*book:Lucky Break|46163634]

Trio wrote: "Calila, I'm doing Lucky Break too..."

*high five*

I started it last night, and I'm going to admit that this is the first book in the series that I've actually read and not listened to... Greg Boudreaux rocks these guys! But I'm not going to wait to see if it comes out as an audiobook. The power of this challenge lol.

Week 6 Completion Post
U or Z in Title


Rules to Break by Susan Hawke
Pages: 311
Read: 10/15/19
Rating: ★★★★★

I am loving these books. This one is about Bryan, who is Travis' brother from book one and Preston, who was the OTT brat from book one. It would be helpful to read these in order but probably not entirely necessary. Preston was such a hard case with his truly bitchy, kind of mean attitude but Bryan is up for the task. Because of a bet of course. Preston trying to figure out the toaster actually made me put the book down and laugh. He was too funny. This one had quite a few really sad parts which I wasn't expecting but overall, a great read.

Week 6: Pulitzer Prize - Lucky Break

Rating: ★★★★

Review:

Received an ARC via Netgalley

This is a great installment in the clean Slate Ranch series. Lucky Break is a very heartwarming love story. Shawn's struggling to stand on his own two feet and make ends meet while searching for his place in the world. Robin's making it day by day after losing his husband in a tragic accident he blames himself for. The way they come together is very sweet and slow. It's not breakneck speed, there's no outside drama or angst. It's just two people healing themselves and coming together to be a support with and for each other. I feel like there's some set up for the next book, and I'll for sure be reading it.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it Calila!

Completion Post: Week 6: U or Z in the title
Option 1



Book: Cowboys Don't Ride Unicorns
Author: Tara Lain
Pages: 226/GR
How it Fits: U in the title
Date Read: 10/14
Rating: 3 stars

Review: This wasn't one of my favorites by Tara Lain, that's for sure. While I liked the characters ok, and the bullriding aspect of the story too, the whole thing with Laurie already being in a relationship with some older guy, who turns out to be an asshole, just didn't feel right. It gave the story an ick factor that I wasn't comfortable with. And I didn't buy into Laurie and Danny falling in love so quickly either. They hooked up a couple times, and then they're in love. Nope. Didn't work for me. I would have given the story two stars except that I did really enjoy the parts of the story where Danny was riding the bulls. Those parts were interesting and felt true. Sadly, it was the relationship between Danny and Laurie that didn't work for me.

Trio wrote: "I'm so glad you enjoyed it Calila!"

How are you liking it Trio?

I really enjoyed it! Finished it last night :)

Completion Post: Week 6: U or Z in the title
Option 1
by A.M. Arthur
Length: 400 pages / GR
How it Qualifies: U in Lucky
Completed: 10/16
4 Stars

A wonderful addition to A.M. Arthur’s Clean Slate Ranch series, Lucky Break is just as unique as each of the previous stories in this series. While all the Clean Slate books could be read as standalones, the friendships build as the story progresses and I think you’d enjoy them better when read in order.

Opposites attract with a bit of an age gap, Lucky Break is a romantic, slow burn romance. The chemistry between the men is clear from the start, but both of the main characters have some serious issues in their pasts which they’re having trouble moving past. As their relationship progresses and the men strive to find more physical intimacy, they start to open up and disclose some of their secrets.

It takes the entire novel for these two to finally come completely clean with each other over all of their past troubles, but A.M. Arthur throws in some great curve balls, and the story flows beautifully. Trust me, once you pick up Lucky Break, you won’t be putting it down.

Week 6
Option 1
Book: Rule Breaker
Page Numbers: 286
How Fits: Title - RUle Breaker



[*bookcover:Rule Breaker|35826972]

Week 6 - Title U or Z
Rule Breaker by Lily Morton


Date Read: 10/14

Rating: ★★★★★

I had absolutely no expectations going into this book, but oh man was I entertained. I really loved the biting sarcasm between Gabe and Dylan and the unacknowledged sexual tension. I enjoyed watching them dance around each other and not own up initially to what they really wanted. They were always going to work through things, but of course they had to be stupid for a bit first.

Dylan was just great. His relationship with his friends was fun (aka Jude) and his never back down nature made me fall for him just a little bit. Gabe is exactly the demanding boss you'd expect, with crazy exacting standards that are bound to drive his assistant batty. But underneath you just knew he needed someone to care about the real him and not just the sex.

Loved this book and can't wait to read more in the series.

Week 7

Option 1 - 9. Global Music Awards
Global Music Awards is a top-tier music competition that honors talented musicians around the world. It is a showcase for musical gems and unique voices.
* Read a book with an MC who is a musician, from one of the following lists:
The ultimate bad boy / rock star list
Musically inclined heroes/heroines in romance
MMR profession musicians / rockstars bookshelf
If you can't see this shelf from the MM Romance group, let me know and I'll look into providing a list of the books.

If you use this option, your book selection MUST come from one of these lists. Please note which list and preferably the book's number on that list.


Option 2
Book chosen from a team member's shelf that was read on the date below or more recently and rated at least 3 stars.
Key Date: April 19, 2019


Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.

Week 7
Option 1
Book: Falcon's Fox
Page Numbers: 250
How Fits: On Shelf



[*bookcover:Falcon's Fox|34600396]

Week 7: Global Music Awards
Falcon's Fox
Pages: 250
Qualifies: On MMR profession musicians / rockstars bookshelf

Selection Post: Week 7: Global Music Awards
Option 1



Book: A Foreign Range
Author: Andrew Grey
Pages: 200/GR
How it Fits: MMR profession musicians / rockstars bookshelf

[*book:A Foreign Range|14510527]

Week 7 Selection Post
Global Music Awards

Option 1


Dedicated by Neve Wilder
Pages: 340
Qualification: On List

[*book:Dedicated|43152949]

Week 7 Global Music Awards
selection post, option 1

Gasp! by Z.A. Maxfield
264 pages / GR
Qualification: on MMR profession musicians / rockstars bookshelf

[*book:Gasp!|15852821]

New book selection

Week 7 Selection Post
Global music awards


In Safe Hands by Victoria Sue
Pages: 230
Qualification: On List

[*book:In Safe Hands|43559314]

Week 7 Completion Post
Global music awards


In Safe Hands by Victoria Sue
Pages: 230
Read: 10/21/19
Rating: ★★★★

This was a really great read. The mystery, the romance, the intrigue...all there. I was just as invested in the mystery aspect as the romance, maybe more so, which is unusual for me. I didn't have a clue who dunnit. I'll admit, I'm not great at that anyways. The romance was sweet and seemed appropriate for the situation. You know, no having sex in the middle of a gunfight or shiz like that. Super entertaining!!

Week 7 Global Music Awards
completion post, option 1

Gasp! by Z.A. Maxfield
264 pages / GR
Completed 21 Oct
3 Stars

Maybe a smidge predictable in the outcome, but getting there was all the fun. Maxfield always tells a good tale, and Gomez Pugh made this one truly special. I had NO idea Pugh could do so many accents. Bravo!

Completion week 6

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Finished 23/10
I liked this slowburn Romance and I liked the fact that tikron had to work for Richard

Selection week 7

200 pages on MMR profession musicians / rockstars bookshelf
[*book:Don't Let Go|41024171]

Hi Calila - you need to post a completion before I announce the next category :)

Jane (PS) wrote: "Hi Calila - you need to post a completion before I announce the next category :)"

I know! I know! I'll get caught up next week for sure, but I'll have one posted in the morning.

Completion Post: Week 7: Global Music Awards
Option 1



Book: A Foreign Range
Author: Andrew Grey
Pages: 200/GR
How it Fits: MMR profession musicians / rockstars bookshelf
Date Read: 10/23/19
Rating: 3 stars

Review: I really liked this quiet romance. The characters were sweet, there wasn't any real huge drama, just enough to make it interesting. The characters were a bit predictable, but I didn't mind it since they were so likeable. One thing that did bug me a bit was the portrayal of the woman who was going to "bag" Wilson. Her characterization was basically a caricature of the "man-eating" woman, and it felt a bit over the top and almost offensive, which brought my rating down. Other than that, I enjoyed the read.

Typing a review now, don't post yet Jane!

Week 7: Global Music Awards Falcon's Fox

Rating: ★★★

Review:
I'm giving this three stars because two feels too low but honestly I'm very meh about it. I like parts but mostly it was very cliche and ridiculously simplified. The angst felt shallow even though it was a serious subject. I did like the characters, but maybe that's why I wanted more. I don't know. Not my favorite.

Jane's Post for Week 8

Option 1
11. Darwin Awards Chlorinating the Gene Pool.
The Darwin Awards recognize individuals who have supposedly contributed to human evolution by selecting themselves out of the gene pool via death or sterilization by their own actions.
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Death gods and reaper protagonists
OMG you almosts DIED mm with hospital scenes
Gay romance featuring a grieving MC
OMG you almost died - straight edition
Best near death angst books - romance historical
Best injured or ill heroine with hero angst
Black widow/widower romances - hero/heroine is suspected of killing spouse or lover
Grim reaper theme

If you use this option, your book selection MUST come from one of these lists. Please note which list and preferably the book's number on that list.


Option 2
Book chosen from a team member's shelf that was read on the date below or more recently and rated at least 3 stars.
Key Date: April 26, 2019

Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.

Week 8 Darwin Awards Chlorinating the Gene Pool
selection post
Option 1

Fish Out of Water by Amy Lane
270 pages

How it Qualifies: #125 on OMG you almosts DIED mm with hospital scenes

[*book:Fish Out of Water|30813756]

Week 8 Selection Post
Option 1: Darwin Awards


Shattered Pieces by KM Nuehold
Pages: 181
Qualification: #204 on Gay Romance Grieving MC

[*book:Shattered Pieces|36448023]

Calila wrote: "Typing a review now, don't post yet Jane!"

LOL!! 😂

Shannon wrote: "Jane's Post for Week 8

Option 1
11. Darwin Awards Chlorinating the Gene Pool.
The Darwin Awards recognize individuals who have supposedly contributed to human evolution by selecting themselves out..."

Thanks Shannon!

Week #8 - Darwin Awards
Kiss Me Again
227 pages
Qualifies - 201 on OMG You Almost DIED MM With Hospital Scenes

Selection Post: Week 8: Darwin Awards
Option 1



Book: His Convenient Husband
Author: Robin Covington
Pages: 202/GR
How it Fits: #201 on Gay Romance Featuring a Grieving Main Character (MC)

[*bookcover:His Convenient Husband|36158863]

Week 7 - Global Music Awards
Falcon's Fox by Sandrine Gasq-Dion


Date Read: 10/22

Rating: ★★★

This was just ok for me. I liked the connection between Ransom and Sal at first. Sure it was all fast connection but they were so adorably innocent about coming together. But once the story took it's turn, well it just didn't hold up as well for me. It went off the rails a bit. I haven't really enjoyed most HIV stories and this wasn't really an exception. I didn't like the way Ransom handled Sal's business with his friends, he was too open without Sal's acceptance. But I still wanted them together.

Completion Post: Week 8: Darwin Awards
Option 1



Book: His Convenient Husband
Author: Robin Covington
Pages: 202/GR
How it Fits: #201 on Gay Romance Featuring a Grieving Main Character (MC)
Date Read: 10/27
Rating: 4 stars

Review: This was wonderful. A lovely story about a grieving widower and the hot ballet dancer who brings him back to life. Isaiah and Victor grabbed me right from the start, and I became immediately engrossed and invested in their story. While the plot was nothing new, the intensity of their connection and Isaiah's struggle to let go of his ever present grief and allow love back into his life was riveting. I also loved Victor and his commitment to speaking out for gay people living in Russia. He didn't let anyone, even Isaiah, discourage him from following his heart. All in all, this was a wonderful love story that I know I'll come back to again.

Week 8 Selection Post
Option 1: Darwin Awards


Shattered Pieces by KM Nuehold
Pages: 181
Read: 10/30/19
Rating: ★★★★

This book may have had me a weepy mess more than once, I admit nothing. I loved, loved Beck with his sass and panties and makeup and heels and light, just everything. Gage is the brooding mess here and boy does he need someone like Beck. These two were just so sweet and kinda hot together I wanted all the good things for them. Yes, it's a sad premise but it's also about hope and living and all kinds of great things. Loved.

Just missing Shelby and Emeli's selection posts :)

Caliila - you need to post a completion post before the next theme :D

Jane (PS) wrote: "Caliila - you need to post a completion post before the next theme :D"

Tired of telling me that yet? =P

I literally just finished one and will get it posted later today. Hopefully ill finish another tonight between answering the door over and over again.

LOL - nah. Good to be chasing down something ;) Keeps me entertained :P