Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Wow! Finishing already! I'm not even 100 pgs. into one of my choices. :)

D.G. ~Vile Temptress~ wrote: "Wow! Finishing already! I'm not even 100 pgs. into one of my choices. :)"

Actually I started it on 5/31 night. But since I have more choices to follow....I decided to post it. :)

If it doesn't count..no biggie.

Vi - Just finished The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf, which I really enjoyed... less than the first (which was amazing!), but definitely a fun 4* read:-D And Nick was such a cute nerd, lol! Thanks for rec'ing it!

Valerie i'll get your picks done tonight - I just got home from work and need a little bit of decompress time

I started Hawke last night and could have stayed up all night reading...lol! which woudl have been bad juju for class today...but tomorrow is friday and I can read tomorrow night

D.G. ~Vile Temptress~ wrote: "Dee wrote: "no you can't skip ahead!!! lol! I think 4 was the weakest for me, and then 7, but they are both important in the overall story line - Hawk is 10...i'm trying to savor it right now, an..."

Hi Isabella - I'll posst your picks soon - just off to refresh my memory on your shelves :)

Caroline - I got a copy of Labyrinth from the library. I have two books that will be due before that one that I need to read first but as soon as I'm done with them, I'll let you know to see when we can start reading this one. Sounds really good!

Katie wrote: "Fran wrote: "Hi Katie!

Your tbr shelf is massive! But I did have lots of fun looking through it. So many more books to add to my own tbr pile! I hope you find something you like from my list, but..."


Katie, I hope you like it!

MountainKat, I'm ready to start Freighter Flights tomorrow if you are :)

hi Valerie

Here are my picks for you - hopefully there is something you like, if not let me know and i'll see what else I can come up with

1. Bumped (this covr has intrigued me since I saw it on someone elses's shelf and while I've read it, I love the covers on the psy-changling books, so how about you read the next one in the series - Caressed By Ice
2. Nicholas - I love this cover, it makes me super happy and drooly ;)
3. I don't read a lot of YA, but I love Laurie Halsie Anderson's books, so here are two to pick from Speak or Catalyst - they are both set in the same school, with speak coming first but can be read stand-alone. I'm reading catalyst right now and loving it
4. Addicted or Winter Garden - I haven't had many 5 star reads recently, but both of these were high 4 star reads
5. on those long stormy nights, I love curling up with a long book that I can get really involved in. I saw that you are currently reading Dragonfly in Amber, so if you finish it up, how about Voyager or finish up the Steig Larsson series with The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
6. Christopher Moore is now my go-to funny author. I was in laughing so hard at spots in Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal that I almost crashed the car (audiobook), so check him out
7. i'm planning on reading both of these in the next month so let me know if you are interested - Hush or Sinful
8. Or from your TBR Overqualified or Grave Sight look interesting

June PICK IT FOR ME
COMPLETED 1 of 3


Firewalker by Allyson James 6/2
Undertow by Cherry Adair Buddy Read
Grave Witch by Kalayna Price Buddy Read

Elke wrote: "Ok..just finished Highlander Ever After it was really good! It was a good ending to the trilogy!

Hopefully I will get Dark Lover soon so I can finish my 2nd choice!"

Great Elke! You'll fly through Dark Lover. I haven't begun, and can't understand why I am floundering. My tbr pile has climbed and I think I have psyched myself out of choosing. :0( Have I lost my spine?!

I am just writing to say that I finished my first pick, It Had to Be You I stayed up all night reading it so I have to admit it was very engaging and the author created very believable characters. On the other hand I kept thinking that they both should be in some sort of therapy. I was so torn about it that I couldn't even rate it. I loved it, I hated it.

Hi Isabella

It's the start of a new day over here - and I'm ready to pick!! Hope I find some good options for you :)

On your TBR pile:
Intriguing - Veronika Decides to Die by Paul Coelho or World Without End by Ken Follet. I haven't read either of these authors, but both have really interesting premises to their outlined novels

Happy/funny - Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. Your TBR pile doesn't really seem to have any books that I would term 'funny' so my first rec is a book that I just loved instead.

Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I haven't read this book, but I believe it to be a fun light read.

Envious - Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. I notice you are currently reading this - love this series, love this author!

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Another book I am yet to read (it's on my TBR pile :) but I think you would enjoy this novel.

On My 'Read' Shelf
Last 5 star read - Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh. This was my last 5* read that wasn't a historical romance (which is not your genre). And I know you have read the first book, so it fits your reading program.

However, you only gave Angels' Blood 3* - so I'll recommend another book I read recently and loved: Burning Wild by Christine Feehan. I don't believe you need to read the previous two Leopard People books by Feehan, but it probably helps with a couple of minor points - however, this book is definitely a stand out. I just loved it. If this premise interests you and despite this lack of continuity, I would definitely recommend this book rather than not read it just because you haven't read the previous novella and book.

Stormy night 'comfort' read - Dark Prince by Christine Feehan. A comfort read for me would be a reread of one of the Carpathian books by one of my favourite authors, Christine Feehan. I know what to expect and whilst her earlier books in this series have numerous grammatical errors and a lot of repetition, I still love them :)

Pick Me Up - Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson. This is just straight-out fun escapism. There is nothing serious or thought provoking but I laughed out loud many times when I read this book.

Buddy Reads
Next book TBR for me - Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts. I have just started this book and so far the storyline is interesting. I also plan to read The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook and Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian this month. All of these are on your TBRs.

Isabella's books added to my TBR pile - Queen of Shadows by Diane Sylvan. Sounds really good - I've added it to my TBR wishlist shelf, however I don’t know if I’ll be able to find it in time to read it in June. :)

Caroline wrote: "How about the 4.50 from paddington for a buddy read or Neverwhere I have this on reserve from my library (as it looked so good!) and am 3rd in line for it, hoping I should have it soon! Look forward to hearing from you"

If you would read Neverwhere with me I'd be ecstatic!!! I've been meaning to read it for so long but something else keeps coming up. I think it's the type of book that would be great to discuss as it's being read, I know with the last Gaiman I read, American Gods, I wished I had someone to talk to about it (that actually cared anyway - I still talked about it to anyone who would listen!). Let me know when you get it and I'll start then too! :D

Hi Jane,

It's midnight in here, I'm almost heading for bed but couldn't have slept without seeing your picks for me.
I'll be reading this month a lot of these books as soon as I confirm tomorrow which one I can chase from the library. As for Slave to sensation I'm reading it and really enjoying it it was also on my schedule reading from last month.
Thanks a lot for the recs and your sympathy. Have a nice day and me sweet dreams :)

Cacophony wrote: "I am just writing to say that I finished my first pick, It Had to Be You I stayed up all night reading it so I have to admit it was very engaging and the author created very believable..."

Cacophony,
I'm glad that you found the book engaging, but I wish it had been ummmm... more rate worthy! Sorry! You are right about the two main characters needing some therapy.

Hi AlbertaJenn!! Thanks for the recommendations. Tomorrow, I'm going to order One Little Sin and Surrender. If you want, we can do a buddy read of that one when it comes in. I might try to fit in Riding the Storm and Sex with Kings: 500 Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge (If it ever gets returned to the library.)

D.G. ~Vile Temptress~ wrote: "Caroline - I got a copy of Labyrinth from the library. I have two books that will be due before that one that I need to read first but as soon as I'm done with them, I'll let you know ..."

I'm ready to go when you are! So will wait to hear from you:-) x x

~Sara~ wrote: "Caroline wrote: "How about the 4.50 from paddington for a buddy read or Neverwhere I have this on reserve from my library (as it looked so good!) and am 3rd in line for it, hoping I should have it ..."

Hey Sara!!
Neverwhere It is then!! As soon as I get my hands on it I will be in touch!! Looking forward to reading it too! It sounds fab:-) x x

Wow Melanie, that was super fast. I have not even started on my recs yet. I have yet to read the first book. I did read And One Last Thing ... by her. I liked the humor but the lead characters and the town,not so much. Have you read this yet?

Melanie wrote: "Vi - Just finished The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf, which I really enjoyed... less than the first (which was amazing!), but definitely a fun 4* read:-D And Nick was such a cute..."

I've finished Secrets of a Summer Night Thanks for the rec D.G.! Got quite into it and couldn't put it down! Looking forward to reading more in the series:-) x x

Am I the only one with no picks still? :(

Caroline wrote: "I've finished Secrets of a Summer Night Thanks for the rec D.G.! Got quite into it and couldn't put it down! Looking forward to reading more in the series:-) x x"

Glad you enjoyed it Caroline. The next two are considered the best in the series so you have some good books to look forward. :)

Tania,

I am able to do picks for Megan after work today if she still needs them. I work until 6pm est. I wouldn't mind another buddy read. ~Emily

Vi

Haven't read the book you mentioned.. I did however read the first of the Jane Jameson series, which I liked.. But the great book really was How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf.. I found it cute and so funny!

Let me know when you're starting Kiss of Fire? I have it on my shelves waiting to be read:-D

Melanie
That book is one my picks this month, I think. I might read it this month if time permits. Ok, I had fixed 5th June tentatively with Sarah as the start date. Lemme check with her also and then get back to you.

Vi wrote: " Melanie
That book is one my picks this month, I think. I might read it this month if time permits. Ok, I had fixed 5th June tentatively with Sarah as the start date. Lemme check with her also and..."

Works for me, thanks:-) Can we read it at our speed or do you have it divided in chapters/sections? Just wondering!

Thanks Valerie!!

Why don't we all go with our reading speed with periodic updates to share impressions, thoughts etc? Or would you prefer having it divided? Sarah's never done it before and I'm pretty new also at it also :)

Melanie wrote: Works for me, thanks:-) Can we read it at our speed or do you have it divided in chapters/sections? Just wondering!

Vi wrote: "Why don't we all go with our reading speed with periodic updates to share impressions, thoughts etc? Or would you prefer having it divided? Sarah's never done it before and I'm pretty new also at i..."

I've only done one, but we were over ten participants, so we had divided the book into sections... Problem is, I tend to read a book in one sitting, so maybe I'll just pop in with my impressions when you and Sarah are done with yours? I wouldn't want to spoil it for you!!

Awesome recommendations, Valerie!! I will commit to Practice Makes Perfect because I have it down for another challenge, but I'm strongly considering all of the others!

Sounds good. I checked with Sarah. We're ok with starting on June 5. That good for you?

Melanie wrote: I've only done one, but we were over ten participants, so we had divided the book into sections... Problem is, I tend to read a book in one sitting, so maybe I'll just pop in with my impressions when you and Sarah are done with yours? I wouldn't want to spoil it for you!!

Hmmm. I'm guessing Polina never showed. =( I hate working so hard to make rec's...for nothing. Ah well. I'm glad someone was able to give you picks, Katie!

Cacophony wrote: "Hi Lacy
Thanks for all the fun picks! It is really hard to decide! I am going to get out of my comfort zone and try Chasing Brooklyn if I can find a copy at the library. I would also like to rea..."

Hi Cacophony
I just wanted to let you know that I borrowed the book If You Dare by Kresley Cole for our buudy read. Let me know if you are still interested. I should be free to start it next week.

Fine with me Vi:-D I'll get in touch on the 5th:-D

If anyone would like to join Caroline and me in reading Neverwhere or add to our discussion the link is here.

Elke wrote: "Cathy,
It is a pleasure to pick for you!! Here are your recs...hope you find something you like! Happy Reading!

Thanks for the great picks!! I just finished

Lover Unleashed and I'm going to try to get some of the others read later in the month.

Vi - Just finished my second pick, , which I really enjoyed.. Thanks for giving me the push to pick up my first Meredith Duran book! I have Phin's book on my shelves:-D

wow, Melanie, you sure are fast. Glad you enjoyed the book. I'm so weird that I haven't read any of her books after this. And I bought Phin's book. Haha.

moulin wrote: "Elke wrote: "Ok..just finished Highlander Ever After it was really good! It was a good ending to the trilogy!

Hopefully I will get Dark Lover soon so I can finish my 2..."

Just got Dark Lover...will be reading it after a couple more books..which are due back at the library before it! Can't wait though!

I finished Catching Fire! All I have to say is OMG!! Thanks so much Amanda but giving me the impetus to read it (I've been very reluctant because I was expecting something else.) Now I sooo want to start the next one!

Stats Time!

The most recommended author this month is Nalini Singh! We have a bunch of newcomers this month. The categories this month gave us a bigger spread of books than usual (plus less PNR/UF than normal). And this might be the first time Nora Roberts didn't make the top. Our AOM, Lynsay Sands, squeaked into the top.

1. Nalini Singh - 23
2. Molly Harper - 17
3. J.R. Ward - 12
3. Jennifer Crusie - 12
3. Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 12
6. Karen Marie Moning - 11
6. Diana Gabaldon - 11
6. Janet Evanovich - 11
9. Julie Garwood - 10
10. Lisa Kleypas - 9
10. Ilona Andrews - 9
10. Shelly Laurenston - 9
13. Christopher Moore - 8
13. Julie James - 8
13. Linda Howard - 8
13. Gena Showalter - 8
13. Julia Quinn - 8
13. Sarah Addison Allen - 8
13. Lynsay Sands - 8


Out of 806 total recommendations this month.

Now for the most recommended books.

Outlander took top honors! I think the biggest surprise this month is Lamb. Nalini Singh joined the elite group to have more than one book in the top in the same month.

1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - 10
2. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh - 8
2. How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper - 8
4. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie - 7
4. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 7
6. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning - 5
6. Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy - 5
6. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward - 5
6. It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 5
6. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook - 5
6. Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh - 5
6. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - 5
6. Lamb by Christopher Moore- 5

There were 13 books with 4 recommendations, each.

Great Stats Firefly!! I loved the pics this month! Just like you said. they were spread out nicely.

Cathy : I started to read . first SEP book ;)

Thanks Diane - I love seeing these stats! ...I laughed when you noted that Lynsay Sands 'squeaked' into the top - it was somehow appropriate but I'm still not sure why!! (It's not like vampires 'squeak' :)

Valerie, I finished Practice Makes Perfect and absolutely adored it!! Thanks for the push to read it! I hope to get to some more of your picks this month.

Hi Lacy
I am definitely still interested in reading If You Dare. I have a flight on Tuesday so it would be a good time for me to start a new book. Would Tuesday work for you? I think this will be a good book; I am really looking forward to it.

Wow nice stats!! I can't believe Outlander on top of the list, beating Slave to sensation!! And I was wondering if I'm gonna read Outlander this month and for sure this stat gave me the push I need!

Thanks for the stats, Diane! Very interesting as usual.

Just read . I gave it 4 stars but its teetering right around 4.5 . Loved the angels!