Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Right-e-o! We are underway.


1. You are free to 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 me by 1 Feb.

2. Pick a Team Captain. The team captain will track the books read by the team and notify me in a separate thread of the team's completions. They will also double-check that your book selection complies with the rules - eg make sure that the post is 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 the book selection and completion.

3. 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.

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 make sure you post your book selection 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 (where applicable), etc. I can't stress this enough.

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 :)


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 4 weeks.
* No-one can use the pass option in the last week of the challenge.

Team members


Skandia
* MountainKat
Catherine
Sassafrass


Themes Announced

Week 1: Book set in the UK or Ireland
Option 2 key date: 7 August 2013

Week 2: Main character from the corporate world
Option 2 key date: 16 August 2013

Week 3: A book with children in the plot-line
Option 2 key date: 23 August 2013

Week 4: MC wears a uniform
Option 2 key date: 30 August 2013

Week 5: Enemies to lovers
Option 2 key date: 6 September 2013

Week 6: Book with less than 200 ratings (per GR)
Option 2 key date: 13 September 2013

Week 7: Historical setting (more than 50 years ago)
Option 2 key date: 20 September 2013

Week 8: Book published for the first time in the last 6 months
Option 2 key date: 27 September 2013

Week 9: ?
Option 2 key date: 4 October 2013
No passes allowed

Posting formats:

Following is a sample post showing how everyone should post their book choices in their team threads once the game starts.


Theme - book starting with the letter 'G'

Sample post - selection

Week 1: The Gamble - 629 pages per goodreads


****
Theme - Hurt/Comfort/Grieving

Sample post - selection

Week 3: Flowers from the Storm - 533 pages per goodreads
Shelf 'tortured hero' - https://www.goodreads.com/genres/tort...
or
Shelf 'tear-jerker' - https://www.goodreads.com/genres/tear...
or
Shelf 'illness' - https://www.goodreads.com/genres/illness


****
Theme - Hurt/Comfort/Grieving
Same theme but just a reference to the precis:


Week 3: Dark Desire - 369 pages per goodreads.
Precis covers the theme.

****************


Sample post - completion

Week 3: Dark Desire - 4 stars.

I found this book a bit dark. (Huh - well perhaps I should have expected that!) However once I settled into the 'theme' of more extreme violence and I knew what to expect, I really enjoyed it. I can't handle too many scary scenes! (Yes, I read vampire books voluntarily...)

**reserved**

hey teamies :) can't wait to get started :)

Hi team! I know most of you, some more than others. I've sent friend requests to Skandia and Catherine, the better to know you both!

I read just about anything romance and several genres pretty regularly, so hopefully my shelves will be helpful to you! I am looking forward to this challenge, I think it is going to be fun! I've never done a team challenge before so while I'm excited, I'm a bit scared too. I hate letting people down, that will probably work in our favor.

A little about me, I am Kat and ~gulp~ 50 years old, about to add another year to that too but I'm doing that even a little bit early! I am the mother of three grown children and have two grandkids. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we've been married over 30 years now. I am a midwife, but I am not currently practicing - gives me more time to read! We live in the mountains (boonies) of SoCal at about 5500' and an hour from the grocery store and anything else, makes for great audiobook listening time though! That puts me in the Pacific time zone for any coordinating we have to do.

team challenges are fun! I've been in a few now...but I don't want to be team captain! I don't have the know-how or the extra time to put in :)

I think I've seen you plenty, MountainKat :) I hope my shelves are helpful to you all...although you might find them daunting! my tbr list has taken on a life of it's own!

wow! I'm jealous! you are having "warm" weather there! My best friend from high school (we just re-connected after her 8 -year vanishing act!) lives in San Diego..and is forever complaining that she's "freezing", to which I respond "you've gone soft"! lol I'm in Jersey at the moment..so we're experiencing that "polar vortex" weather...I'm just glad not to be in Indiana...where the temp was -65! can you even imagine!

anyway...if(and when) you guys look at my shelves, you'll see I read just about anything...except biographies..Ugh! and I keep finding more books daily!

HEY TEAM 1! I'm super excited!!!

I read EVERYTHING romance. My biggest deficiency will probably be in historical romance. I tend to like my stuff spicy so some it may be really out there.

I like to read other things too, but don't do a lot of non-fiction or young adult.

I'm on the cold east coast as well so hearing about the warm weather is making me extremely envious.

I can't wait to start playing.

Sassafrass wrote: "HEY TEAM 1! I'm super excited!!!

I read EVERYTHING romance. My biggest deficiency will probably be in historical romance. I tend to like my stuff spicy so some it may be really out there.

I ..."


where? are you buried in snow too!?!??

Sassafrass wrote: "HEY TEAM 1! I'm super excited!!!

I read EVERYTHING romance. My biggest deficiency will probably be in historical romance. I tend to like my stuff spicy so some it may be really out there.

I ..."


if you want to try some historical romance...I have a ton!

I can't even imagine that kind of cold! Stay warm everyone! We do get snow here, but have had very little winter in general this year. It is going to a very scary summer if things don't change soon! And yet because of the warmer weather we are having if we do get some storms, it could be very damaging to any agriculture. I've heard some fruit trees are blossoming already and my spring bulbs are coming up too.

All our TBRs are probably pretty scary, but we have to stick with books read in the last 6 months and rated at least three stars too. At least that narrows down the search window!

I do have the time to be captain, but would more than gladly give up the 'privilege' to any volunteers! Please...

MountainKat wrote: "I can't even imagine that kind of cold! Stay warm everyone! We do get snow here, but have had very little winter in general this year. It is going to a very scary summer if things don't change s..."

you have no idea! lol

@Catherine--I'm in the Philly area

@MK--*whistling and looking around trying not be noticed*

While we try to come up with a four sided coin to toss to see who is captain, does anyone have an idea for a team name? I'm drawing a blank so far.

Nice to meet you all! I'm Skandia, I'm originally from Estonia and now I share my time between California and Estonia. I'm married, have one child and I love to read. My job includes a lot of reading any kind of boring serious legal-business style materials, so for my free time I like a good light fiction reads.
I read mostly romances - contemporary, historical,paranormal and lately also YA/New Adult books.
I can pick up a really good mystery or thriller sometimes but I don't do well with Christian Fiction, GLBT and non-fiction genres. Nothing against them, just not my cup of tea.

I've done many team challenges, so I'm familiar with the routine but I'm currently in Europe, so the time difference could be against me being a captain as it's in the middle of night for me when the week's theme is called.

And it's very cold here too, and I miss California so much right now.

MountainKat wrote: "While we try to come up with a four sided coin to toss to see who is captain, does anyone have an idea for a team name? I'm drawing a blank so far."

Here's couple of my ideas for team name

First Ladies
One More Book
One More Romance
The Reading Ones
The Lucky Ones

Do we want to go more serious or campy?

they all look good...hard to choose :)

Sassafrass wrote: "Do we want to go more serious or campy?"

I'm good with either serious or campy, but I do like the idea of keeping 'one' or 'first' in it somehow. After all, we are team one, we should flaunt that a little!

If nobody really wants to be captain, I can do it... Really, nobody?

I like the First Ladies. I think that's cute!

I'm not sure MK, I'd be willing to do it, but I'm not sure what to do?!?

Sassafrass wrote: "I like the First Ladies. I think that's cute!

I'm not sure MK, I'd be willing to do it, but I'm not sure what to do?!?"

Hi Sassafrass - you would be tracking your team's progress with their books in one of the posts on this page and then reporting it regularly into Progress Thread (not yet posted). The Progress Thread would be only for status updates from the Captains.

I would also like the Captains to keep an eye on the book selections. I don't want them to be policeman, but I would like them to check out books that may not, at first glance, match the announced theme or meet page requirements etc.

I have outlined this a little in the Q&A thread here - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Sassafrass wrote: "I like the First Ladies. I think that's cute!

I'm not sure MK, I'd be willing to do it, but I'm not sure what to do?!?"

First Ladies is the one I liked too! Sass, it is just verifying and reporting, I'm fine doing it if you don't want to. Either way! Let me know if you want, I don't think it is hard, just a time filler. I have time even if I don't always make the best use of it! I thought I might be going out of town, but I think I am going to put that off. It might be better to wait until the weather isn't an issue with travel, since it is a pleasure trip to see family.

Well, since you are already a mod, I'm sure you are more than capable of doing it, but if you want a break, I'd be happy to do it, MK.

Thanks, Jane (PS).

Sassafrass wrote: "Well, since you are already a mod, I'm sure you are more than capable of doing it, but if you want a break, I'd be happy to do it, MK."

I'm sure you are more than capable too and I will be happy to let you be the First Ladies' First Lady!

(But I don't want to force you into it!)

I'm fine with First Ladies, too!
I can also assist with captain duties MK, if there should be a need and I think you'd make a good Captain.

Catherine hasn't weighed in yet, but she liked all the choices for names in her earlier post, so why don't we go with "First Ladies".

MK since you know you'll have the time, why don't you take over as Captain, but as Skandia said, I'd be happy to pick up any slack if I'm needed since you've got a vote from Skandia too. :)

OK, I'll let Jane know our team name and that I am going to be the captain. I need to get organized and figure out the best/easiest way to keep track of everything! I'll reserve a couple of spots now for that. I think it would it be easier for each of us to reserve one post to update each week - to try to keep it all together. Then we can discuss in the posts after that.

So I am going to reserve some spots for the team and hopefully each of you will chime in to reserve your spot before we get chatty again!

The First Ladies - Team 1
Weekly Progress

Updated 4.10.14

✓ Week 1: Books Set in the UK or Ireland


✓ Week 2: Main character from the corporate world (business man or woman; small business counts and ppl who work in offices, eg clerks, accountants, managers)


✓ Week 3: A book with children in the plot-line


✓ Week 4: Main character wears a uniform


✓ Week 5: Enemies to Lovers


✓ Week 6: Book with less than 200 ratings (per GR)


✓ Week 7: Historical Setting (in any period more than 50 years ago)


✓ Week 8: Book published for the first time in the last 6 months


Week 9: Book from the RRRC's shapeshifter shelf. This book cannot come from any other location.

The First Ladies - Team 1
Weekly Progress

Updated 4.10.14

Week 1: Books Set in the UK or Ireland
✓ Catherine - Wicked Company by Ciji Ware, 2.14.14
✓ MountainKat - Let Love Find You by Johanna Lindsey, 2.12.14
✓ Sassafrass - Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young 2.6.14
✓ Skandia - I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella 2.9.14

Week 2: Main character from the corporate world (business man or woman; small business counts and ppl who work in offices, eg clerks, accountants, managers)
✓ Catherine - Sweet Expectations by Mary Ellen Taylor 2.21.14
✓ MountainKat - Wild Man by Kristen Ashley 2.22.14
✓ Sassafrass - Odalisque by Annabel Joseph 2.16.14
✓ Skandia - Tangled by Emma Chase 2.18.14

Week 3: A book with children in the plot-line
✓ Catherine - Dark Witch by Nora Roberts
✓ MountainKat - Uncharted by Tracey Garvis-Graves 2.22.14
✓ Sassafrass - Somethin' Dirty by Em Petrova 2.22.14
✓ Skandia - Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione 2.28.14

Week 4: Main character wears a uniform
✓ Catherine - Heat Seeker by Lora Leigh
✓ MountainKat - Offside by Juliana Stone 3.2.14
✓ Sassafrass - Hope Flames by Jaci Burton 3.2.14
✓ Skandia - Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti 3.5.14

Week 5: Enemies to Lovers
✓ Catherine - Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews 3.18.14
✓ MountainKat - Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole 3.11.14
✓ Sassafrass - Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews 3.9.14
✓ Skandia - Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley 3.13.14

Week 6: Book with less than 200 ratings (per GR)
✓ Catherine - The Vanishing Thief by Kate Parker
✓ MountainKat - Status Update by Mari Carr 3.19.14
✓ Sassafrass - Captivated by Emily Jane Trent 3.16.14
✓ Skandia - Zoey & the Moment of Zen by Cat Lavoie 3.18.14

Week 7: Historical Setting (in any period more than 50 years ago)
✓ Catherine - Strangled in Paris: A Victor Legris Mystery by Claude Izner 3.28.14
✓ MountainKat - Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole 3.26.14
✓ Sassafrass - A Night Like This by Julia Quinn 3.26.14
✓ Skandia - The Pirate Next Door by Jennifer Ashley 3.26.14

Week 8: Book published for the first time in the last 6 months
✓ Catherine - The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon 4.2.14
✓ MountainKat - Taken with You by Shannon Stacey 3.31.14
✓ Sassafrass - Catch 'n' Kiss by Rhian Cahill 4.3.14
✓ Skandia - Kaleidoscope by Kristen Ashley 4.3.14

Week 9: Book from the RRRC's shapeshifter shelf. This book cannot come from any other location.
✓ Catherine - Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews 4.10.14
✓ MountainKat - Friday I'm in Love by Mari Carr 4.4.14
✓ Sassafrass - Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews 4.5.14
Skandia - Kinked by Thea Harrison

The First Ladies - Team 1
Weekly Progress

Updated 4.10.14

✓ Week 1: Books Set in the UK or Ireland
✓ Catherine - Wicked Company by Ciji Ware, 624 p. per GR, 2.14.14
Theme in précis.
✓ MountainKat - Let Love Find You by Johanna Lindsey, 384 p. per GR, 2.12.14
Theme in précis.
✓ Sassafrass - Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young, 352 p. per GR, 2.6.14
Theme in précis.
✓ Skandia - I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella, 433 p. per GR, 2.9.14
GR main book page: Setting - London, England

✓ Week 2: Main character from the corporate world (business man or woman; small business counts and ppl who work in offices, eg clerks, accountants, managers)
✓ Catherine - Sweet Expectations by Mary Ellen Taylor, 352 p. per GR 2.21.14
Theme in précis.
✓ MountainKat - Wild Man by Kristen Ashley, 343 p. per GR, 2.22.14
Theme in précis, heroine owns her own bakery.
✓ Sassafrass - Odalisque by Annabel Joseph, 222 p. per GR, 2.16.14
Theme in précis, hero owns a tech company.
✓ Skandia - Tangled by Emma Chase, 254 p. per GR, 2.18.14
Theme in précis.

✓ Week 3: A book with children in the plot-line
✓ Catherine - Dark Witch by Nora Roberts, 342 p. per GR, 2.28.14
On Skandia's Read Shelf, read 11.23.13, rated 3 Stars
✓ MountainKat - Uncharted by Tracey Garvis-Graves, 160 p. per GR, 2.22.14
On Skandia's Read Shelf, read 12.30.13, rated 4 stars
✓ Sassafrass - Somethin' Dirty by Em Petrova, 251 p. per GR, 2.22.14
Theme in précis.
✓ Skandia - Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione, 380 p. per GR 2.28.14
Reading #2 in series, #10 on MountainKat's Read Shelf, read 1.13.14, rated 4+ stars

✓ Week 4: Main character wears a uniform
✓ Catherine - Heat Seeker by Lora Leigh, 352 p. per GR 3.3.14
Shelved: Military
✓ MountainKat - Offside by Juliana Stone, 207 p. per GR, 3.2.14
Theme in précis. H & h on hockey team, wear uniforms.
✓ Sassafrass - Hope Flames by Jaci Burton, 320 p. per GR, 3.2.14
Shelved 'men-in-uniform' https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
✓ Skandia - Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti, 384 p. per GR
Shelved 'men-in-uniform' https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

✓ Week 5: Enemies to Lovers
✓ Catherine - Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews, 260 p. per GR, 3.18.14
Shelved 'Enemies to Lovers' https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
✓ MountainKat - Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole, 359 p. per GR 3.11.14
Shelved 'Enemies to Lovers' https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
✓ Sassafrass - Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews, 260 p. per GR 3.9.14
Shelved 'Enemies to Lovers' https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
✓ Skandia - Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley, 406 p. per GR 3.13.14
On MountainKat's Read Shelf, read 1.27.14, rated 4 stars

✓ Week 6: Book with less than 200 ratings (per GR)
✓ Catherine - The Vanishing Thief by Kate Parker, 296 p. per GR
GR book page - 49 ratings to qualify for theme.
✓ MountainKat - Status Update by Mari Carr, 162 p. per GR, 3.19.14
GR book page - 92 ratings to qualify for theme.
✓ Sassafrass - Captivated by Emily Jane Trent, 215 p. per GR, 3.16.14
GR book page - 95 ratings to qualify for theme.
✓ Skandia - Zoey & the Moment of Zen by Cat Lavoie, 318 p. per GR, 3.18.14
GR book page - 34 ratings to qualify for theme.

✓ Week 7: Historical Setting (in any period more than 50 years ago)
✓ Catherine - Strangled in Paris: A Victor Legris Mystery by Claude Izner, 320 p. per GR, 3.28.14
Shelved as 'historical fiction' https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
✓ MountainKat - Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole, 368 p. per GR, 3.26.14
Oddly enough shelved as 'historical' https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
✓ Sassafrass - A Night Like This by Julia Quinn, 373 p. per GR, 3.26.14
Shelved 'Popular Historical Romance' https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
✓ Skandia - The Pirate Next Door by Jennifer Ashley, 307 p. per GR, 3.26.14
Theme in précis on GR book page.

✓ Week 8: Book published for the first time in the last 6 months
✓ Catherine - The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon, 317 p. per GR 4.2.14
Published 2.11.14 per GR book page.
✓ MountainKat - Taken with You by Shannon Stacey, 336 p. per GR 3.31.14
Published 3.25.14 per GR book page.
✓ Sassafrass - Catch 'n' Kiss by Rhian Cahill, 279 p. per GR 4.3.14
Published 3.4.14 per GR book page.
✓ Skandia - Kaleidoscope by Kristen Ashley, 376 p. per GR 4.3.14
Published 2.4.14 per GR book page.

Week 9: Book from the RRRC's shapeshifter shelf. This book cannot come from any other location.
✓ Catherine - Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews, 310 p. per GR 4.10.14
On RRRC's shapeshifter shelf
✓ MountainKat - Friday I'm in Love by Mari Carr, 137 p. per GR 4.4.14
On Sassafrass' Read Shelf, read 1.24.14, rated 5 stars
✓ Sassafrass - Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, 308 p. per GR 4.5.14
On RRRC's shapeshifter shelf
Skandia - Kinked by Thea Harrison, 294 p. per GR
On RRRC's shapeshifter shelf

Reserved for team progress.

MountainKat's Weekly Status Updates


Week 1: Set in the UK or Ireland
Let Love Find You by Johanna Lindsey, 384 pages per GR
Theme in précis.

Completed 2.12.14, *4- Stars*

I usually try to avoid reading and listening to similar books in one genre at the same time, but I did that this week and I admit this suffered because of it. Once I got into it, more than 1/3 or so, it got much better though and I did enjoy it. In typical Johanna Lindsey fashion, this book was full of interesting characters and lots of fun family dynamics. It was sweet and lighthearted. I have a soft spot for Johanna Lindsey, she is the author who got me hooked on romance. (Though I can see in hind sight that was a part of all my favorite books as far back as childhood.) So while I have since discovered many wonderful authors and I think some of older work is better than some of the more recent, I still like her books!

Week 2: Main character from the corporate world (business man or woman; small business counts and ppl who work in offices, eg clerks, accountants, managers)

Wild Man by Kristen Ashley, 343 pages per GR
Theme in précis, heroine owns her own bakery.

Completed 2.22.14, *4 Stars*

Good story, fun characters! I enjoyed this even when I had a few issues... First off, I thought she forgave his initial deception way too easy. I get it, I do, but I still thought it was too easy. I did like how open he was with her after that initial deception though. I also liked how this felt like a simpler story, no big threat or conflict. Although at times it felt like there was almost too much going on because of all little conflicts. My biggest issue though was the language. Now I am no prude and I've been told I swear like a sailor. Especially during football games, even worse when my team is losing. And only when there aren't small children around - thank goodness the grandkids aren't around very often on Sundays during football season! But I seriously think the author was going for some kind of record for f bombs in a single sentence! When it fit the scene and the characters, it worked, but there were times it was just too much.

Now for the narration. Overall, I thought Kate Russell did a very good job. Her voice fits these books. But something was a little off with the pacing in this one. Not bad, but enough to make you notice now and then. Definitely didn't stop me from listening and I will listen to her again!

Week 3: A book with children in the plot-line
Uncharted by Tracey Garvis-Graves, 160 p. per GR
On Skandia's Read Shelf, read 12.30.13, rated 4 stars

Completed 2.22.14, *4 Stars*

Nice story. It was great to get some answers about the shack and bones from On the Island. I liked the way the story was told too, it worked for me. I was very happy with the end too!

Week 4: Main character wears a uniform
Offside by Julianna Stone, 207 p. per GR
Theme is covered in précis. H & h both on hockey team, wear uniforms.

Completed 3.2.14, *4- Stars*

I liked this story, the characters were likable and the pace was good. It was a simpler story, not complex and stirring deeper emotions. But it still worked. I was a little frustrated with both the H and h not being open, upfront and honest, but not too badly. My only real complaint would be that some things were repeated over and over. Again not a huge deal, but enough to notice. It was a new author for me, and I will likely continue to read both this series and other books. Especially this series as I am curious about the other two sisters!

Week 5: Enemies to Lovers
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole, 359 p. per GR
Shelved 'Enemies to Lovers' https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Completed 3.11.14, *4+ Stars*

I really enjoyed this book - just as I have the others. Bowen and Mari fought and loved so well! It was fun to watch. I didn't see where it was going as the story progressed, that kept me on my toes till the end. I am not waiting this long again before listening to the next one!

I listened to the audio and thought it was very good. I know this will sound terribly wrong, because Robert Petkoff is a wonderful narrator, but I was a teeny bit disappointed. I think it was because I just finished another audiobook with Scottish characters and liked it better. Didn't stop me from enjoying it and it won't stop me from listening to more!

Week 6: Book with less than 200 ratings (per GR)
Status Update by Mari Carr, 162 p. per GR
GR book page - 92 ratings to qualify for theme.

Completed 3.19.14, *4 Stars*

So sweet! I loved this second chance story! After leaving a miserable marriage, Laura meets her high school best friend while out 'trying to get her groove back'. They were never more than friends, but that all changes! I loved Laura and Bryan together! It worked for me on all levels and I was so glad when they got there HEA! I can't wait to see what it is in store for the rest of the wine girls!

Week 7: Historical Setting (in any period more than 50 years ago)
Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole, 368 p. per GR
Oddly enough shelved as 'historical' https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

Completed 3.26.14, *4 Stars*

So good! I am really enjoying this series. This was such a different story though. I couldn't see how things were going to work out, kept me thinking right up until the end. The audio was wonderful as well. I thought Robert Petkoff did a wonderful job conveying Conrad's lack of control in the narration especially. I am so glad there are so many more books in this series to listen too!

Week 8: Book published for the first time in the last 6 months
Taken with You by Shannon Stacey, 336 p. per GR
Published 3.25.14 per GR book page.

Completed 3.31.14 *4++ Stars, Marked up to 5*

I loved this! It was sweet and it was simple and it worked for me. Hailey and Matt were looking for the opposite of each other, someone compatible with their personal style and tastes. They did not find that in each other! What they did find was a great friend and someone they liked to spend time with and had off the wall chemistry with. Burn through the sexual tension and just be done with it right? Sure, unless you discover you can't be without the other. And that compromise is worth it to make your partner smile. Loved the journey, even though it took Matt a little longer to get there! And the ending? It was pretty wonderful too!

Week 9: Book from the RRRC's shapeshifter shelf. This book cannot come from any other location.
Friday I'm in Love by Mari Carr, 137 p. per GR
On Sassafrass' Read Shelf, read 1.24.14, rated 5 stars

Completed 4.4.14 *5 Stars*

Oh Sassafrass, you were right! I just loved this! I even teared up at the end, it was that sweet! Natalie had issues, but that wasn't enough to deter Ewan. He was so sweet and so loving and oh so persistent! This story was wonderful. This series is wonderful! I love how Mari Carr can pack so much into so little!

Skandia's Updates

Week 1: Set in the UK or Ireland...
by Sophie Kinsella, 433 pages
GR main page: Setting - London, England

finished 2/09/14, 4 stars

Review:
It's been a long time since I last read a British chick-lit or a Sophie Kinsella book. They have been hit and miss and some of her heroines have been too much to handle.
Nevertheless I was expecting a funny read and that's exactly what I got. This book was silly funny and the heroine Poppy like a new and much improved version of Kinsella's other heroine - Shopaholic Rebecca. Add some hassle with misplaced smartphone with e-mails and messages mixed up and misunderstood and a handsome kind-hearted businessman, you got a sweet romance. I liked it.

Week 2: Main character from the corporate world

by Emma Chase, 254 pages per GR, Theme in book description

finished 2/18/14, 4 stars

Review:
Fast and fluffy read. Sometimes funny, sometimes annoying. Drew is such a typical egotastic yuppie banker who is used to get what he wants and to get Kate he goes over the top crazy. His tricks would have scared me running fast, but they worked on Kate so go figure.
Light read and reminds me of Wallbanger but Wallbanger was so much better.

Week 3: A book with children in the plot-line

by Larissa Ione, 380 pages, #2 in Demonica series because MountainKat has read Reaver, #10 in Demonica series on January 13, 4 stars

finished 2/28/14, 4 stars

Review:

Now it's official after reading book #2 - I love Larissa Ione's Demonica series. Fast pace action, hot romance and good original world building and characters.
This time it's a long lost brother of Shade's, Wraith's and E's looking for his revenge and in the process of fighting him Shade gets accidentally mated to werewolf Runa which triggers his curse.

Week 4: Main character wears a uniform
by Rebecca Zanetti, 384 pages per GR, Shelved as "men-in-uniform"
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

finished 3/5/14, 1,5 stars

Review:

This book looked very good before I started reading - Romantic Suspense with a slight paranormal twist about a band of brothers who carry unnatural powers genetically engineered into them by a black ops military unit and one of them turns out in a hospital with amnesia after being missing for two years.
Sadly the book was anything but that promise. It was boring, annoying, no paranormal twist actually and I really didn't care for the characters.
The main character, Shane, was extreme alpha male and not in the likeable way. The fact that he's been missing for two years was repeated by his TSTL wife thousands of times so it got really frustrating. The twists author made in plot were just random and stupid and made the characters even less likable.
I managed to finish this book by reading the last half of it diagonally. Would have really been a DNF book if not read for challenge. Maybe the military romantic suspense is just not my genre.

Week 5: Enemies to Lovers
by Kristen Ashley, 406 pages
MountainKat read it 01/27/14 (4 stars)

Date finished: 3/13/14
Rating : 3,5 stars

The usual Kristen Ashley book with very alpha hero and silly heroine who gets in the middle of some disaster and this formula sometimes gets on my nerves hard. Not this time, though.
Gwen had some softness in her and she was not a total airhead and Cabe had more layers to his character than the macho-alpha surface.
As always with Ashley's older books, the story dragged sometimes but her unique style was there and overall a good book.

Week 6: Book with less than 200 ratings (per GR)

by Cat Lavoie, 318 pages, 34 ratings per GR

Finished 3/18/14 - 1,5 stars

1,5 stars

Sometimes I pick up a book by little known author with few ratings, have no expectations and will be pleasantly surprised. This book was not one of those. This book was a disaster. Not from the beginning, though, it did earn those lousy 1,5 stars with a really promising start.

After a really bad break-up Zoey is still obsessed with her ex a year later. This obsession has made her lose focus and her friends send her off to Mexican retreat to have a vacation, get some sun, regroup and forgot all about her ex.

And from this point forward this book becomes a manual of "How to make an insane amount of the stupidest decisions any real person would never ever make". Furthermore, the story gets really unconnected, unbelievable and totally random. It felt like the author was so unsure about her story or bored with her characters that she kept adding totally random twists to it and went way over the top. Sadly this mess didn't give room to any character or storyline development and felt like written by person with very severe ADD.

I still can't believe the first half of the book was written by the same person who totally made a mess of the rest of it. It's a shame, really.

Week 7: Historical Setting (in any period more than 50 years ago)

by Jennifer Ashley, 307 pages,
set in London 1810 (theme in precis)

Finished 3/26/14, 3 stars

An OK historical romance that managed to crab me at some parts and left indifferent at others.
A proper Lady looking for husband gets involved with a handsome ex-pirate who has come to live next door and has inherited a title. But the stranger brings danger and his feud with an old enemy gets Lady Alexandra in the middle of some serious pirate action with kidnapping and sea battle.
Of course all the pirates are dashingly handsome and there is love at first sight for Lady Alexandra and Greyson the Pirate Viscount.
All in all I didn't care for characters much but the action was good and rather original story for a regency romance set in London.

Week 8: Book published for the first time in the last 6 months
by Kristen Ashley, kindle edition 376 pages, published 02/04/2014

Finished 4/03/14, 3 stars!

I can say I'm a fan of Kristen Ashley's Colorado Mountain series. All books, except for book #3, have been great reads.
So I was eager to get to the newest installment in this series - the story of Jacob and Emme.
As usual, we have an uber-alpha hero and heroine with issues in her past. The real Kristen Ashley formula but this time there was something missing for me. The book was lacking the good vintage Kristen Ashley feeling. I didn't get that instant great wibe from Jacob, the suspense back story was week and it creeped me out how Emme dealt with her issues. Sadly, it looks like this series has started to loose it's spell for me. I'm turning back to her older books and continue with Dream Man series.

Sassafrass's Spot

Theme: Set in UK or Ireland

Week 1: (shows location of book in description, 432 pages per GR) finished 2/6/14
*5 STARS*
Delicious from start to finish!

I wasn't exactly sure how things were going to play out when Olivia burst onto the scene in Jo and Cam's book, but BEFORE JAMAICA LANE was just yummy friends-to-lovers goodness from beginning to end... (full review posted on my profile)

Theme: Main character from the corporate world

Week 2: , 222 pages per GR, Theme in book description, "hero owns Tech business" finished 2/16/14

Great in only the way Annabel Joseph can make it!
*4.5 STARS*


Um. wow. What an emotional book! It was intense and erotic as well, but above all, it was extremely emotional.

Kai and Constance were great characters. I felt for both of them and the circumstances that led them to each other, but it was obvious from the start that they were meant to be together. (full review in my profile)

Theme:A book with children in the plot-line

Week 3: , 251 pages per GR, Theme in précis.
finished 02/22/14


*4 STARS*
Sweet, sexy, and yeah, a little dirty too!

SOMETHIN' DIRTY is the latest release by Em Petrova, and it had a great story, sweet romance, and wonderfully dirty sex scenes.  I meant to take the reading of this story slowly, but once I started, I could not put it down! (full review on my profile)


Theme: Main Character wears a uniform

Week 4: , 320 pages per GR, Shelved as "men-in-uniform"
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
finished 3/2/14


*4 STARS*
I think I'm going to love this series...

HOPE FLAMES was a great start to the newest series by Jaci Burton. It had all the elements I like: romance, great chemistry, good plot, and characters that I'm looking forward to getting to know. (full review in profile)


Theme: Enemies to lovers

Week 5: , 260 pages per GR, shelved as "Enemies to Lovers"
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/..., finished 3/9/14


*4.5 STARS*
The sexual tension is killing me! Seriously, she’s gone 18 months without sex and she’s able to resist Curran? Kate must be superhuman.

I really loved this book. I loved watching Kate in a mother like role with Julie. I loved the mystery, the fighting, the mythology. All of it. And while I agree that Kate is pretty kick ass, I wish she'd have a little more of a survival instinct. She's always getting her behind beat pretty badly.

And who is Kate? What secrets is she hiding? Who else knows who she really is? I can't wait to find out what all of this stuff means.

This is turning out to be a great series! I can't believe I put off reading it for so long.


Theme: Book with less than 200 ratings (per GR)
Week 6: , 212 pages per GR, 95 ratings finished 3/16/14

*3 Stars*

Hmmmmm, how to rate this book? On the one hand, I loved the premise of CAPTIVATED. I loved the way the story started, but for me it went down hill from there.

I thought the story had so much potential, but I kept waiting for something, anything to happen. So much of the plot happened inside Ella and Adam’s heads. They were doing a lot of thinking but not much “doing” and that frustrated me to no end.

Then, when some stuff started actually happening by then end of the story, I was to over it to even care. That’s not really true, but you get the point.

I’m truly upset by this because I wanted to like CAPTIVATED more. I give the premise 4.5 stars and then I give the execution 1.5 stars. So I gave it overall a 3 star rating.

Now the next question is do I go on with the series? We finally got the plot moving by then end of this book, so I am thinking that I will give book two a try to see where it goes. I’m not willing to give up on Adam and Ella just yet.

Theme: Historical setting (in any period more than 50 years ago)

Week 7: , 373 pages per GR, on shelf "Popular Historical Romance Books":
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... finished 3/26/14

*5 STARS*
I’m loving the Smythe-Smith’s. That family is extremely entertaining. I was very curious about Ann’s story, so I’m glad that we got that. She and Daniel were very well matched. I’m glad that things worked out for them. Ann really got a bum deal. But it seemed to work out in the end.

I’m so glad that Daniel had grown so much over the time he was away. I was afraid that he was going to react to Ann’s past badly. But, the way he basically told her that he loved her no matter what made me love him even more.

And the Plainsworth girls were hilarious. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next.

I am a fairly new admirer of Julia Quinn’s work but if this series is anything to go by, she is able to weave a story so well that you can’t help but be immersed.


Theme: Book published for the first time in the last 6 months

Week 8: , 279 pages per GR, published March 4, 2014 per GR finished 4/3/14

*4.5 STARS*

I was originally attracted to this series because of the Party Games series this author and Lexxie Couper did together. When I found the Are You Game? series followed the people who coordinated the Party Games events, I was instantly intrigued. The first book in the series, 7 Minutes in Heaven, was a true delight. And I'm happy to say that CATCH 'N KISS was in the same vein.

I really loved how patient and determined Dan was with Jody. I have to admit I didn't think he really had the sticktoitiveness to win her but I'm glad I was wrong. Jody's daughter added a lot of reality to the story although I wish we could have seen more of their reactions to how Jody and Dan's relationship progress. I'm sure it wasn't all smooth sailing but unfortunately it was glossed over.

I hope this series continues. There at least one more character I'd like to have get a story. And, I'm really not ready to say goodbye to the Are You Game? gang quite yet.


Theme: Book from the RRRC's shapeshifter shelf. This cannot come from any other location.

Week 9: , 308 pages per GR, on shifter shelf finished 4/5/14

*5 STARS*

I loved this so much, I'm not sure that I will be able to put everything into words. I'm going to give a sort of flash review with my thoughts and feelings and maybe when I've had a chance to think about it for a few days, I'll be able to put my thoughts together in a better way.


Poor Kate, can’t find any clients--and then when she did, it was a doozy wasn't it?

I just love how Curran “handles” her. He knows that she’s not the type of woman he can just order around. Love his negotiation style. It is likely to get him laid, ALOT! LOL (I'd probably be a big ole' puddle of goo around him.)


I can’t get over the revelations about Kate’s (step)father and mother! That witch pissed me off. She could have handled that a little bit better. I kept thinking that It had better not turn her against Curran because of it. I'm glad to see that wasn't the case.

OMG, Julie! Julie! OMG, Julie! Never saw that one comin'. I wonder what's going to happen going forward.

And Curran, how can you not love Curran. He says things to Kate and it just slays me how much he loves her. When he told her how he would protect her and any cost and showed how much thought he put into it. *sigh*

Needless to say, I’m loving this series. I’m a little late to the party but I’m all in now!

mine! :)

Week 1: Set in UK or Ireland
by Ciji Ware set in London, England

Yay! Everyone reserved their spot!

Now, does anyone know of any time/week up front where they will need to take the pass? I'm sure things will come up, but if we know up front about a scheduled event I think it will be easier to work around.

I don't know about you, but I am not great at patience - this next week is going to be looonnnnggg!

I shouldn't have any problems. I shouldn't have any problem meeting the requirements, but like you said stuff comes up.

We don't start until the 7th????? that's just torture!

I know! But since this was a new challenge, there needed to be extra time to take care of all the details. No way to know what would come up.

I might need a pass for the last week in February because of a business trip. Not 100% sure yet.

I should be ok :)

Skandia wrote: "I might need a pass for the last week in February because of a business trip. Not 100% sure yet."

OK, shouldn't be a problem. But good to know up front.

Since everyone is ready to start and I under-estimated the organisational skills of all these groups as well as myself, I will call the first theme (category) early on Wednesday between 6-9pm US EST. (That is Thursday 9am - 12pm Australian EST :)

This means everyone will have 9 days to read their first book. I will revert to Friday in week 2.

Please watch the Q&A/Announcement thread for the call or any other updates :)

Yay! ~happy dance~

Oooh, we're going to get our category really soon!

First theme is any book set in UK or Ireland.

YAY! I have a lot to choose from! Do we have to say what we're reading yet?

Yes, I know what I'll read!
, 433 pages, set in London

Doh, just my luck - the book I have on my short list that fits the theme I already started! Oh well, off to hunt...

Yes, please do post what you plan to read so I can make sure it fits the theme. You also need to come back and post a small review when you finish it. Please post in your reserved spot your progress in the format Jane has listed at the top of the thread.

I can't wait to find my book and start reading!

I'm going to read Before Jamaica Lane, 432, set in Scotland