Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

I really wanted to apologize to the ladies that I was supposed to do buddy reads with this month. I have had a ton of crazy things come up in my life recently and I haven't been able to get online, much less read a book. I really hope you both enjoyed the books though!

Hopefully next month will be much better, I have a new job that should give me more free time. So, assuming no more family emergencies I'll be able to read more!

Lindsey wrote: "Debbie~
I read both Wicked Appetite and Darkfever... I have to say I wasn't as Impressed with either as I had hoped to be... I did like them both, But I feel like the ..."

I agree, most of Janet Evanovich books are similar.
You are one up on me now, I still haven't been able to pick up Darkfever, glad to hear it was good.

Lindsey, I didn't like Darkfever also. After I read it, I wasn't even sure I'd pick up the next book. But then I did pick it up this month for a challenge and read all the four books continuously. I'd say the series get better and while I don't feel the series was the best, I think it was good. In other words, you should try the next book. You might like it better than the first.

I also finished up The Iron Duke - overall I enjoyed it and will read the second one - but I also knew from other reviews going in to not expect a traditional romance - it was more on par with what you would see in a UF type series, except that it had a HEA...the beginning was a bit confusing, but around half-way through it picked up and I couldn't put it down

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie DONE!

Penney - I finished Archangel's Consort last night. Another 4 star read! Loved the storyline but didn't really get anything out of the romance side of the story. I suppose because I already knew that Raphael and Elena were together, the 'he's mine', 'she's mine'; he's hot, she's sexy, had limited impact for me. But a great read regardless - thanks for the rec!

I started and did not want to put it down to get ready for work this morning, ended up having to rush around to get out the door. I think I'm hooked, LOL.

Daffodil wrote: "I started and did not want to put it down to get ready for work this morning, ended up having to rush around to get out the door. I think I'm hooked, LOL."

I loooove that book, Daffodil. You can't go wrong there. Not sure if I recommend it to you when I picked for you but it's one of my favorite reads of last year.

Daffodil wrote: "I started and did not want to put it down to get ready for work this morning, ended up having to rush around to get out the door. I think I'm hooked, LOL."

So glad you got to read that one too, it was fabulous! :)

Alexis wrote: "I really wanted to apologize to the ladies that I was supposed to do buddy reads with this month. I have had a ton of crazy things come up in my life recently and I haven't been able to get online,..."

Wow, Alexis, I can sure relate - I had the same kind of month in May - I don't think I picked up a book for almost 3 weeks and had to beg off on my buddy reads, too. No apology necessary, sometimes life just gets in the way. I did read both books we'd talked about, and thoroughly enjoyed both of them, even though we didn't get to read them together. I hope you get a chance to read them soon, especially Simply Irresistible - it was just wonderful!

~KarenH~ wrote: "Alexis wrote: "I really wanted to apologize to the ladies that I was supposed to do buddy reads with this month. I have had a ton of crazy things come up in my life recently and I haven't been able..."

Thanks for being so understanding! I'm so glad you enjoyed our reads! I'm hoping July will be much better than the last few weeks. I've been quickly working through a couple more of your rec's so I'll have at least three read for the month (:

JUNE PIFM



1. Outlander ★★★ 1/2 (I think it just wasn't my type of book. I'll try the second another time.
2. Nerd in Shining Armor ★★★ (Cute and not much else, but I wasn't expecting much else. Great if you need a veg read that doesn't make you think.
3 Baby Love ★★★★★ (I actually have about 30 pages left, but I already know I love this book and I'll finish it sometime today :D

Shell, I finally finished our buddy read for this month. I read Ill Wind by Rachel Caine, I really did enjoy it. It was kind of weird though hearing/reading a "different" point of view on severe weather in Oklahoma (lived in OK for 16 years now). I am really interested in seeing what the next one would be about. Thanks for the recommendation.

I feel like such a slacker finishing up on the the 28th. I just finished which Emily had picked for me off my TBR list. I'm glad she did. I've always like Karen Robards and this was a solid historical. I loved "Wickham" and Gabriella together. Plus I already owned it. 4 stars.

Moulin and I also did a buddy read of . I enjoyed it too but not as much-maybe Ian's character was a little to close to some of the student's I've worked with although I liked the way they explained why he had been institutionalized and the classic misunderstanding that set up the plot. I got the next one from the library.

I didn't update as I finished, so I'll do it all at once. I read One Little Sin and didn't like the hero. I'm also not a big fan of children as plot devices. I liked her writing style, though. So I might read something else she's written.

I also read Surrender and really enjoyed it. I think the setting is what did it for me.

I finished my buddy read, Neverwhere, with Caroline and loved it!!! It was such an unusual story with fantastic characters and a few surprises. Great choice Caroline and thank you for enjoying it with me!!!

I just checked the library and I'm still only 80 something for A Discovery of Witches but eventually I'll get to read that one too!

~Sara~ wrote: "I finished my buddy read, Neverwhere, with Caroline and loved it!!! It was such an unusual story with fantastic characters and a few surprises. Great choice Caroline and thank you for ..."

haha, that is the way Neil Gaiman is. Have you ever read American Gods?

Hey Mandy, just to let you know I am reading The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever at the moment, I'll try and finish it on time but I haven't had much time for reading this week. So far I am really enjoying it though.

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Liv, I finished Midnight's Daughter last night. Thanks for pushing that up my TBR as I really liked it and wonder why I waited so long.

"

I'm glad you liked it, Diane! It's always fun discovering a book you didn't quite expect to enjoy as much.

Shellbelle,
What I managed to finish:


I love this book. Georgeanne and her daughter was so adorable and I was so happy when, FINALLY, John came around. I also very much enjoyed watching these characters grow. Thank for recommending me this , I now have a new author to stalk :].


I didn’t like this book as much, but it was a fun read. I think the constant jokes were a bit cheesy for me and came off as a turnoff. But Reyes was hot, and I’ll likely snag the next book for him!



This was the lowest rating I gave. This book was way to cheesy for me, and the characters kind of put me to sleep at times. Well, I did enjoy the fresh portrayal of a werewolf and it wasn’t hard to finish, but I just cringed at the cheesy/ sappiness of it all.
Thanks again for the recs! You made my first Pick it For Me experience a blast ^__^! I’m still determine to finish all the other books you recommended.

Finished this morning, 6-29-11.

I really loved this book. My one big fear is since it took 4 years for book 2, which I've already requested from the library, how long until the third book will come out?

Livy wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Liv, I finished Midnight's Daughter last night. Thanks for pushing that up my TBR as I really liked it and wonder why I waited so long.

[bookcover:Midnight's Daughter|3072..."

I'm so glad that you enjoyed (at least some) of the recs! Rachel Gibson is one of my all time fav. authors and her Chinhook hockey series is the best!!!

I was horrible this month, I only read one book even though I wanted to read them all!

I read The Peach Keeperby Sarah Addison Allen and it was wonderful! I think Sugar Queen is still my favorite of hers but this one was still really good! She's like snuggie for your brain, you just feel warm and cozy after you get done reading it ;)

Daffodil wrote: "Finished this morning, 6-29-11.

I really loved this book. My one big fear is since it took 4 years for book 2, which I've already requested from the libra..."

The Wise Man's Fear just came out a few months ago and I attended an event to get it signed. I had to wait a while and got to chat with some of the people in line. Although Patrick was really nice, he didn't even want to hear questions about when the next book would come out (everybody was like...don't ask him THAT!) This tells me that it may be a while yet for the next book so I decided not to read TWMF for now...

Debbie wrote: "haha, that is the way Neil Gaiman is. Have you ever read American Gods?"

I have, there's not a lot left that I haven't read by him, but I felt I was missing a lot by not knowing who most of the gods were - I actually googled a few that were driving me crazy not knowing. Still an amazing book though!

lol, I did the same thing.
I really liked the adventure of the book as well as the learning curve.

Liv - I managed to finish a second book you recommended right under the wire (11 pm on 6/30). I really enjoyed it, thanks for recommending it!

Okay, well, June is over, and I epically failed this month's challenge. I was going to do 2 buddy reads, Undercover with Anna, and Surrender with Mandy. I didn't start the first one, and only got about 1/4 through the second. I ended up on a new medication this month that totally blew my concentration. but we are adjusting things, and next month should be good.

Just finished Bloodfever and i gave it 4 stars. I didn't really like the first book in this series so it took me awhile to pick up the 2nd book, now I cant wait to read the 3rd book.