Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

The Amazing Race Team Challenge
April 11, 2020 through June 6, 2020
8 Week Dash For the Win!

Team 3:

✓ Jamie (TheRebelliousReader)
✓ Nicole ♥ clearlyreading
✓ Victorian Vickie
★ Allie

The Amazing Race Team Challenge
April 11, 2020 through June 9, 2020
8 Week Dash For the Win!

Tracking:
Task 1 - 1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task. Assigned 4.12.2020 / Completed 4.17.2020
Task 2 - 19. Read 6 books with animals on the cover. Assigned 4.17.2020 / Completed 4.24.2020
Task 3 - 66. As a team, pick a list with over 100 romance books on it, each member reads a book from that list. No pass for this task. Assigned 4.24.2020 / Completed 5.1.2020
Task 4 - 11. Read 4 books first published within the last year. Assigned 5.1.2020 / Completed 5.5.2020
Task 5 - 69. Read over 750 pages in books about the same profession, teams decide which profession. Assigned 5.5.2020 / Completed 5.17.2020
Task 6 - 43. Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task. Assigned 5.17.2020 / Completed 5.22.2020
Task 7 - 10. Read 4 3 books tagged/shelved as PNR or fantasy. Assigned 5.22.2020 / Completed 5.24.2020
Task 8 - 21. Read a book recommended to you by a teammate - no pass for this task. Assigned 5.24.2020 / Completed 5.31.2020
Task 9 - 33. Each teammate reads a book another teammate read and rated 4 Stars or higher in the last 3 months. No pass for this task. Assigned 5.31.2020 / Completed 6.5.2020
Task 10 - 17. Read 4 3 books that are stand alones. Assigned 6.5.2020 / Completed 6.9.2020

The Amazing Race Team Challenge
April 11, 2020 through June 9, 2020
8 Week Dash For the Win!

Challenge Dates:
Signups open until April 11, 2020 at 9 PM US EDT.
Remaining Teams Assigned after signups close on April 11, 2020.
First Task Assigned April 14, 2020 at 6 PM US EDT.
Challenge Ends on June 9, 2020 at Midnight US EDT, tasks will not be accepted after this time.

Each team will work together to complete tasks. Once complete, you will be given another task to complete. After the first task, teams will be on different paths with tasks randomly assigned. The same tasks may be assigned to different teams at different times, but no task will be used more than once by the same team. Each team works at their own pace and the team that completes the most tasks at the end of 8 weeks will be the winner!

After the first task is given to everyone, when a team finishes their task they will need to report their completion in the Tracking/Q&A thread. I will confirm the completion and assign their next task. New tasks will not be assigned more frequently than every other day. I will attempt to respond quickly to confirm completion and assign new tasks, but please allow up to 24 hours. If I am unavailable, another mod will assign the task.

Each teammate will need to participate in each task, but may take a pass for one task during the course of the challenge. For some tasks, no passes will be allowed. Completions posts will need to be made when finishing each book for a task, similar to the PtP and Bachelor Challenges. A player will be removed if they make no comment for 5 days after a new task is assigned or 3 days after the rest of the team completes the task (whichever is later), despite attempts to make contact.

Information required when posting your completion/s:

Task
Book/cover link
Page numbers with source
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary.
Date Completed.

There is a 150 page minimum for books, rereads and audios ok. Books may only be used once per player during the challenge. Players may read the same book for a task unless otherwise specified. Books do not have to be romance, but must be fiction.

**For this challenge, use the GR Kindle first edition page count if available. Ebook page count will be acceptable if no Kindle page count available. The acceptability of other page counts will be made on an individual basis**

I think most of you know each other, at least a little, but feel free to introduce yourself again. Please give any relevant information, especially time zone as that helps know when it is best to communicate. 😊

Please select a team leader to help keep track of where your team is in any given task. And as necessary guide discussions for task decisions. Any teammate can report your completions though.

PS - If you want to be known as anything other than Team 3, you are free to come up with a team name. 😉

Hi, everyone! I'm Jamie. I'm from Texas so I'm on Central Standard Time. I'm excited for this new challenge and look forward to it! :)

Hi! I'm Nicole and I'm also from Texas lol. This is my first team challenge in the group!

Hello everyone! I'm Allie. I'm temporarily from Virginia until the world rights itself, then my family will be moving to Texas. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I'm looking forward to this new challenge!

wow what a coincidence that most of us are somehow texans lol

I'm not good at these but here are some name suggestions:

triple threats
racing to read
romance racers

I really like Romance Racers. Sounds cute and I love alliteration. LOL.

I also like Romance Racers. I'm horrible with names, but have a deep love for alliteration

Romantic Relay
Lovers Lane

alright two votes for romance racers! i like romantic relay too!

Now I can't decide because Romantic Relay is good as well. LOL. I'm good with whatever y'all wanna go with.

So there are a few prompts that require us to read from the same genre, trope, author, or series. I figured we could talk about some ideas for these just to get a feel for everyone's tastes

For genres I'm willing to read almost anything:
Historical romance, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, erotic romance, dark romance, lgbt romance if that counts as a genre lol, romantic comedy

I think the only genre I'm not keen on in romance is western but I do have a few on my tbr still!

Authors:
Quite a few prompts have us reading from the same author, I'd like to not have to buy books for this challenge but I have access to lots of platforms to get something.

historical: Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, Sarah MacLean, Julie Garwood, Beverley Jenkins, Stacy Reid, Mary Balogh, Elizabeth Hoyt, Jennifer Ashley, Lorraine Heath, Sabrina Jeffries, Eva Leigh, Suzanne Enoch, Loretta Chase, Courtney Milan, Kerrigan Byrne, Alyssa Cole

Paranormal: J.R. Ward, Karen Marie Moning, Kresley Cole, Jennifer Ashley, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Thea Harrison, Suzanne Wright, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Jeaniene Frost, Gail Carriger (steampunk)

Sci-fi/Fantasy Romance: C. L. Wilson, Sara Wolf, K. J. Sutton, Amanda Bouchet, Ruby Dixon, Laura Thalassa, Amy Harmon, Jeffe Kennedy, T.A. White

Contemporary: so many tbh but I own multiple books by Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen, Penelope Douglas, LJ Shen, Karina Halle, Skye Warren, Alyssa Cole, K.A. Tucker, Jennifer Probst, Tessa Bailey, Helen Hoang, Helena Hunting, Colleen Hoover, Sara Ney, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Giana Darling, Penny Reid, Kennedy Ryan, Emma Chase, Mariana Zapata, Krista & Becca Ritchie

LGBT separated bc idk if all of us enjoy m/m and f/f
K.J. Charles (mostly m/m), Jay Northcote (m/m), TJ Klune (m/m), Cat Sebastian (historical m/m), Roe Horvat (m/m), Marie Sexton (m/m), Melissa Brayden (f/f), Cambria Hebert (m/m and m/f) pretty much open to trying any author in this category though

Tropes I Like: enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, fake dating, forced proximity, slow burn, enemies to friends to lovers, royalty/celebrities, virgin hero, beauty and the beast, star-crossed lovers/forbidden lovers

I'm really down for any trope but I'm not a huge fan of the brother's best friend trope or best friend/sister's ex and things like that.

Okay this got pretty ridiculously long lol

I think the hardest prompt is reading books from the same series? but if we can find some authors we all like that might be helpful

I'm happy with anything. Perhaps when Vicki pops in she can make a decision.

Does anyone desperately want to be team leader? We haven't even discussed that. I could do it if no one wants to, but I do worry about time constraints. Hopefully once life begins to return to normal, I will be busy moving out to Texas and setting up our new home which I know will consume me for awhile.

I'm team leader for the current round of PtP so I'd rather not but I can if no one else wants to.

Also, Nicole that is a great list of authors and tropes. I'm pretty much open to reading anything so whatever everyone else is comfortable with I'm in. The only trope I don't do is cheating. I can handle love triangles to an extent but definitely don't prefer it.

I am here...sorry I am late

I am from Arkansas...a teacher...
I like Romantic Racers
I do not want to be a team leader....

hi vickie! it looks like we're all southerners lol

I could be team leader I've lurked on a few other team challenges but this is my first time participating so I might want help. Also, I'm in college and this challenge will coincide with finals but I'm on Goodreads at least once a day.

It's mostly just tracking people's completion posts right?

do we want to be the romance racers then? i also liked romantic relay

Nicole wrote: "hi vickie! it looks like we're all southerners lol

I could be team leader I've lurked on a few other team challenges but this is my first time participating so I might want help. Also, I'm in coll..."

I misread that ...whatever the Romantic one was. I teach High school and the online learning has my brain scrambled right now

I can go ahead and be the leader. I am highly doubting my husband will have a new start date any time soon for his new job. He's in the airline industry, we are just glad his job is secure even if we currently have no income from him. I don't want you to be worried about this when you should be studying for finals. What is your major?

Vickie what subject do you teach? I used to teach first grade and kindergarten before I began staying home to homeschool my son this year. I miss the classroom so much, but am so thankful I'm not dealing with the stress all of my friends are right now.

Allie wrote: "I can go ahead and be the leader. I am highly doubting my husband will have a new start date any time soon for his new job. He's in the airline industry, we are just glad his job is secure even if ..."

I teach High School Special Education Algebra I and English I. It is a little crazy right now. My hubby works from home so we are both here all the time.

As for genres, the only genres I avoid are erotica (BDSM type stuff) and I've never really read (f/f) it just never interested me much. I'm happy to read any new to me or past favorite authors. I've read and enjoyed most of the authors you mentioned Nicole. I think we have very similar tastes.

Allie wrote: "I can go ahead and be the leader. I am highly doubting my husband will have a new start date any time soon for his new job. He's in the airline industry, we are just glad his job is secure even if ..."

I'm an accounting major! Not the most glamorous area of study but I like the stability it has.

Those are most of the authors I have books on my owned tbr from lol, it can be a good jumping-off point for when we decide what we want to do for those challenges.

Okay then, Allie is our team leader and we are the 'romantic relay' team?

College from home has been hectic I have no clue how they'll adapt final exams for this. One professor has already made his final optional. I still have a few more weeks of regular classes though for everyone else to figure it out.

I will let MK know about our decisions.

My husband did some of his University online. He hated it. Hopefully, you will be able to return to campus this fall!

I don't know if anyone else noticed, but MK announced today that if everyone checks in, she will release the first task early.

We've all checked in and should be set to go!

Can't wait

@Allie - it hasn't been awful, but it's hard to pay attention for sure. A lot of my professor's have relaxed but I feel like I've gotten more Calculus assignments in the past three weeks than I have in months!

But I'm excited to focus some on reading in my free time, I'm trying to finish my current books before the first challenge

So, I feel like it might be better to have a plan in place early on rather than scrambling later.

Here is the idea I had. Maybe each of us can pick three items that are your favorite or that you are hoping to read soon for each category below. One everyone has given their input, we can look for overlap and hopefully get a plan set now. If that seems silly let me know. I loved Nicole's in depth choices the other day, but we need to narrow it down for the team reads if that makes sense.

The categories that we will have to read as a team are:
1. . Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.
2. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide
3. Each player reads a book in a series, teams decide. No pass for this task.
4. Each teammate reads a book published in the same month and year, teams decide. No pass for this task.
5. Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location.
6. Each teammate reads a different book by the same author, no pass for this task.
7. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide country.
8. As a team, pick a list with over 100 romance books on it, each member reads a book from that list. No pass for this task.
9. Read 6 books that have the same romance trope, teams decide which trope


I may have missed some. Let me know if I did. I'm operating off of the hours of sleep last night.

Also, if anyone has a hard no author of genre, now would be the best time to mention that so we can write it off.

Reserving this to organize our team pick choices in an easy way.

My choices

1 and 6. - reading the same author. I tried to go with authors that have a lot of books to choose from in different genres. I'm not super passionate about any, but I've tested books by all of them highly.
- Lisa Kleypas ( had both historical and contemporary works)
- Kristen Ashley ( had dabbled in fantasy and pnr, but mainly contemporary)
- Molly Harper (one and contemporary)

2. Sub genres ( I literally read all)
- contemporary-romance
- mm
- pnr romance

3. Series ( just throwing it the series I'm trying to catch up on year)
- black dagger brotherhood by J.R Ward (pnr)
- The Bridgertons by Julia Quinn (historical)
- Heartbreaker Bay by Jill Shalvis (contemporary)

4. Save month and year. I was thinking something recent maybe.. or just random.
- January 2020
- May 2019
- September 2018

5. Location: easy locations I see a lot?
- California
- New York
- England

7. Country out of the U.S.
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Australia?

8. I'll look at lists tomorrow too tired tonight.

9. Romance trope just went with some favorites that are popular
- enemies to lovers
- fake relationship
- friends to lovers

I know I already did my long list but I'll still do one lol

1/6. Same author. I agree with picking an author with different genres I like Lisa Kleypas and Kristen Ashley since they have so many books to choose from and also:
- Jennifer Ashley (historical, pnr, and mystery romances)
- T. J. Klune (contemporary and pnr m/m
- Elle Kennedy (romantic suspense, and a mix of adult and new adult contemporary)

2. genres:
- I don't really have a preference. Contemporary, historical, and pnr are probably the broadest categories?

3. Series:
- I'm also reading The Black Dagger Brotherhood <3
- and I'm starting the Bridgertons soon
- Addicted by Krista & Becca Ritchie
- Reluctant Royals by Alyssa Cole
- Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs
- Girl Meets Duke by Tessa Dare

4. I know there are usually a lot of releases in May and September! I can easily find a book from 2018-2020 since I have shelves for releases from those years

5. Location:
- all of yours Allie and maybe Scotland

7. Country Outside of the US:
- England
- Canada? there's a decent amount of hockey romances set in Canada

8. A Few Lists
Books With Similar Illustrations
Dukes... Bring 'Em On
Best Abused or Traumatized Romance Heroes
Cry, Tear-Jerker Romances
Slow Romance

And one of my favorite tropes is romances with letters, texting or pen-pals
Love Letters, Romance Novels Featuring Written Communication

1. Same authors:
-Mariana Zapata
-J.R. Ward
-Beverly Jenkins
-Brenda Jackson
-Tarryn Fisher
-Jennifer L. Armentrout
-Christina Lauren

2. Genres:
-Contemporary
-Paranormal
-Historical Romance
-Fantasy
-Sci-fi

3. Series I'm working on:
-Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
-Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews
-Shacking Up by Helena Hunting
-Lux by Jennifer L. Armentrout
-Westmoreland by Brenda Jackson
-The Others by Anne Bishop
-The Alpha & Omega AND Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs
-The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
-The Dark Artifices by Cassandra Clare
-Hannah Swensen by Joanne Fluke

4. Same month and year:
-I can do whatever.

5. Locations:
-Up for whatever

7. Country outside of the US:
-Same as #5

8. Lists:
Romance That Gradually Build
Best Love Stories

I'll add other lists later.

Ok.. I will get my lists tomorrow

1. Same authors:
-Julia Quinn
-Nora Roberts
-Susan Elizabeth Phillips
-Eloise James
- Debbie Macomber
-Jennifer Cruise


2. Genres:
-Contemporary
-Paranormal
-Historical Romance
-Suspense
-Young adult Romance

3. Series I'm working on:
Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Rayborn
I am flexible - so give me a series and I will read one

4. Same month and year:
Open to suggestions

5. Locations:
Open to suggestions

7. Country outside of the US:
I find England is easiest but open to anything

8. Lists:
1. Best Historical Romance Covers
2.Prettiest Christian Fiction Book Covers
3.Beautiful Cover designs for 2013-2015
4.Best Humorous Historical Romance
5.Best Historical Romances where the Quiet Unusual Girl gets the Guy
6.Humorous Romance Books
7.Best Ever Contemporary Romance Books
8.Young Adult Romance
9.Historical Christmas Winter Romance
10. Christmas Chick Lit

Thank you so much for your quick responses everyone! Here are some overlaps I noticed

1. Authors
Julia Quinn was mentioned by Vickie and her series was mentioned by Nicole and Myself. Maybe she can be one of them? Then we could choose one of Jamie's authors for the second time we all read the same author.

2. Contemporary, pnr, and historical were choices for all. I can maybe do a random choice for those 3 when the time comes.

3. Three of us mentions BDB would that be okay with Vickie?

4. I say May 2019. fairly recent, so a lot of choices, but old enough that you should be able to find a book on sale or at the library.

5. This doesn't specify country, so maybe Ireland or Scotland?

6. England seems to work for everyone.

7. These three lists that were mentioned have over 1,000 options per list. Anyone have a preference on these three?
Humorous Romance Books
Best Ever Contemporary Romance Books
Best Love Stories

Allie wrote: "Thank you so much for your quick responses everyone! Here are some overlaps I noticed

1. Authors
Julia Quinn was mentioned by Vickie and her series was mentioned by Nicole and Myself. Maybe she ca..."

I don't know what BDB stands for..sorry! But sure I am up for anything.

It's the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward! It's really good! I think Mercy Thompson is a good alternative too unless you aren't a fan, Allie.

I like the Best Love Stories list since it has a lot of different genres.

Also there's another prompt that has us reading from one of the decades a team member was born in.
I was born in the 90s.

And another prompt has us reading from someone's hometown.

Idk how specific that is. Like if the state or region is enough? I don't think any books have been written in my actual hometown but I'm from the Dallas-Ft. Worth area of Texas.

Nicole wrote: "It's the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward! It's really good! I think Mercy Thompson is a good alternative too unless you aren't a fan, Allie.

I like the Best Love Stories list since i..."

Thanks! I was born in the 70's

I live in Northwest Arkansas

I just went to book the BDB series on hold from my library and my card has expired! The library is closed. I have emailed them to see if they can renew my card. I will let you know!

Is there any other Julia Quinn books you ladies could recommend outside of her Bridgerton series? I really, really don't like that series.

Also, I was born in the 90s and I'm from Dallas.

I live in Williamsburg, VA area right now. Colonial America books would fit since Jamestown is about 10 minutes away. 🤷‍♀️ But, I've never seen a book set here.

Dallas area would probably be pretty easy to find.

I was also born in the 90s.

@Jamie - I have heard that her Smythe-Smythe series is better. I haven't read them yet. I'm determined to read her series in order.

Victorian Vickie wrote: "I just went to book the BDB series on hold from my library and my card has expired! The library is closed. I have emailed them to see if they can renew my card. I will let you know!"

Oh no! I hope you are able to get it opened back up. I know back in Florida they had a digital book only option that you can do completely from home. I'm still using that card because they had more choices than I have here.

I don't know if the first challenge will be announced tomorrow. I don't plan to be online though. We have a pretty busy Easter family day planned. If someone sees a task posted early, please share it here! I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Easter holiday!

Task 1 - ALL TEAMS!!


1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.

Ready, Set, GO!

Yay! So do we want to do Julia Quinn? I literally just started The Duke and I today idk if that counts :/

Nicole wrote: "Yay! So do we want to do Julia Quinn? I literally just started The Duke and I today idk if that counts :/"

Only if you started over from the beginning. Books need to be started after the task is announced.