Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Team members


Tina
* Grace
Turtlecollector
Karla
Lauren
Lynne

* Team Captain

1. 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.

2. Pick a Team Captain. The team captain will track the books read by the team and double-check that your book selection complies with the rules - eg make sure that the selection and completion posts are 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 their team's book selection and completion.

3. 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 28 May.

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 post your book selections/completions 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.

You don't want to start reading a book and then find it doesn't meet the requirements because some information (eg page count or theme link) was missing from your original post.

I will be monitoring this and your book will not be considered complete until I am satisfied that your selection and completion posts comply.

Remember - you can ONLY change your book selection in the week that the theme is called. This is different from Round 1.

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 :)

10. Each week, the theme will be announced in the Q&A/Announcement thread. The full list of past themes will be maintained in msg 1.


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.
* This means that two team members will miss using a pass in each 4 week block.
* No-one can use the pass option in the last week of the challenge.

Posting format

For the initial selection post I need:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies

For the completion post I need:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review


Please DO NOT CHAT in the post. It needs to be super clear.

As a change from the last round, I will maintain the final tracking of each team's completed books in a separate thread.

I still need the Team Captain to track for their team as I will be using this list to check with my list :)

Please be patient while you wait for me to update each team and their books. I am sometimes out of internet range, so it can take time to manage this process. As the modbot though, I'm hoping to rope in some of the other moderators sometimes ;)

*reserved*

Hey teamies!

This is my 2nd time playing and I had a blast last time :0)

I live in a small town in the north of Israel so it is 18:00 PM here right now.

I'd prefer not to be captain as I'm fulfilling that role in two other team challenges right now - don't want to bite off more than I can chew :0)

As there are more than 4 of us on the team, I thought we could have a team name without the number 4. Here are some possibilities:

50 Shades of Awesome
Razorsharp Readers
Booklovin' Babes

Hi! I live in Oregon so I am in PDT and it is 9 AM right now.

I am also captain of 2 other team challenges right now and would prefer not to be captain. This will also be my fifth team challenge all going at the same time when it starts. I can probably figure it out, though, if no one else wants to.

I did not play this last round, but since I read 5-7 books per week, I think I will be able to handle it. I can usually find books that will work for many challenges at the same time.

I am not very good at coming up with names, but I really like Razorsharp Readers from Lauren.

Hello Team!

My name's Grace and I live in San Diego, California, so I'm also in Pacific time zone.

I read all types of romance books :) Right now I'm on a paranormal trend and have been reading a lot of shapeshifter stories.

I was the captain in the first round and if no one else is interested I can be captain.

Three more teamies still to post in. I'm sure they will be here soon :)

Hi everyone. I'm Karla and I live in Federal Way, Washington (between Tacoma and Seattle), so I am in Pacific Time zone too. I was a captain for the first round. I'm in a few team challenges, so I really hope I can find books that overlap! I don't want to be captain. I liked Razorsharp Readers, too.

I've been trying to think of names, but I'm not very creative. Like everyone else I do like Razorsharp Readers.

Hi Team!

My name's Lynne and I live in Vancouver, Washington (just across the Oregon border from Portland). It seems like we're a Pacific Northwest heavy team! I participated in the first round and it was great. I'm a full-time student, wife, and mother. I'd like to take a pass on being the captain as well. I'll be challenged to keep up with reading. I like the Razorsharp Readers as well. Great name ideas Lauren. Looking forward to a fun challenge! I know we're not supposed to chit-chat, but I hope every thing is good with you Grace in San Diego with all the fires.

Lynne wrote: " I know we're not supposed to chit-chat, but I hope every thing is good with you Grace in San Diego with all the fires..."

No no Lynne - you can chit-chat as much as you like so long as your actual posts for your selected books and completed books don't have other chat in them :) That they just follow the posting format in msg 3. ...I need to see those posts really clearly.

Chit-chat otherwise is strongly encouraged! :)

Hi team, this is my second time playing and I had the fun the first time around.
I am from New Jersey and just went back to work this week so I may be slow posting but I will get it done! I can't be captain this time.

Jane (PS) wrote: "Lynne wrote: " I know we're not supposed to chit-chat, but I hope every thing is good with you Grace in San Diego with all the fires..."

No no Lynne - you can chit-chat as much as you like so long..."

Thanks for clarifying Jane. It would have been very hard to rein in that chatting!

Ok - all the team members have reported in. Time to finalise your name and Captain :)

I think most people like Razorsharp Readers as the name and if Grace is still willing to be captain, we are set. If not, I can be captain.

The hard part is going to be waiting a week and hoping you don't read the perfect book in the meantime.

Yes, I can be captain. I think overall we agree on Razorsharp Readers. If no one has any objections, I'll message Jane later tonight.

Turtlecollector wrote: "The hard part is going to be waiting a week and hoping y..."

That happened to me last time I played :) I started a book on Thursday and while I was reading it, I thought it would be perfect for one of the categories. I never thought that category would actually be called the next day.

Lynne wrote: "Hi Team!

My name's Lynne and I live in Vancouver, Washington (just across the Oregon border from Portland). It seems like we're a Pacific Northwest heavy team! I participated in the first round ..."

Hi Lynne! Yes, everything is good down here in San Diego. This time the fires were up in the North County, away from where I live. Thankfully, compared to fires from the past, these fires did not do as much damage.

Week 1: Read the first book of a new (to you) series
Tina: Ignite 6/5 ★★★★ review
Grace: Viper 6/4 ★ review
Turtlecollector: Immortal Beloved 6/1 ★★★1/2 review
Karla: Carter Finally Gets It 6/5 ★★★★ review
Lauren: Missing 6/3 ★ review
Lynne: Flirting Under a Full Moon 5/31 ★ review


Week 2:Book by an author whose first or last name starts with the letter 'J'
Tina: Alpha 6/18 ★★★★ 1/2 review
Grace: At Grave's End 6/7 ★★★★ review
Turtlecollector: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China 6/12 ★★1/2 review
Karla: One for the Money 6/24 ★★★★ review
Lauren: Pursuit 6/12 ★★★★ review
Lynne: The Christmas He Loved Her 6/8 ★★★★ review

Week 3: Book with 450+ pages
Tina: Pass
Grace: Simply Irresistible 6/21 ★★★★ 1/2 review
Turtlecollector: The Hidden Child 6/19 ★★★★ review
Karla: One More Little Problem 6/19 ★★★ review
Lauren: Hope Flames 6/17 ★★ review
Lynne: Night Broken 6/18 ★★★★ review

Week 4: Main Character has a pet
Tina: Forever Ours 6/23 ★★★★★ review
Grace: Honor's Splendour 6/24 ★★★★ review
Turtlecollector: Betrayal in Death 6/27 ★★★★ review
Karla: Because of Winn-Dixie 7/5 ★★★ review
Lauren: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart 6/27 ★★★ review
Lynne: Wallbanger 6/24 ★★★1/2 review

Week 5: Set on a ranch/property which uses/raises horses
Tina: Backstage Pass 7/12 ★★★★★ review
Grace: Raising Kane 6/30 ★★★★ review
Turtlecollector: Montana Sky 7/2 ★★★1/2 review
Karla: Obsidian
Lauren: Montana Sky 7/1 ★★★★ review
Lynne: Hope Ignites 6/29 ★★★1/2 review

Week 6: Main character is a musician (singer counts)
Tina: Rock Hard 7/16 ★★★★ review
Grace: Hot Ticket 7/07 ★★★ review
Turtlecollector: From This Moment On 3/5 ★★★1/2 review
Karla: Pass
Lauren: Defiant 7/6 ★★★★1/2 review
Lynne: Play 7/11 ★★★★ review

Week 7: What are you Reading Thread
Tina: Wicked Beat 7/21 ★★★★★ review
Grace: Tangled 7/13 ★★★★ review
Turtlecollector: Midnight Awakening 7/16 ★★★★ review
Karla: The Ex Games 7/19 ★★★ review
Lauren: A Rogue by Any Other Name 7/22 review
Lynne: McLain's Law 7/16 ★★★1/2 review

Week 8: Book set on an island
Tina: Find Her, Keep Her: A Martha's Vineyard Love Story 7/24 ★★★★ review
Grace: Magic Bites 7/24 ★★★★ review
Turtlecollector: Wait for You 7/21 ★★★★1/2 review
Karla: The Life of Reilly
Lauren: The Dark One
Lynne: Heartless 7/23 ★★★★ review

Week 9: Character is mega-wealthy
Tina:
Grace: Heart of Ash 7/25 ★★★ review
Turtlecollector:
Karla
Lauren:
Lynne:

Passes
Week 1: No Pass Used
Week 2: No Pass Used
Week 3: Tina
Week 4: No Pass Used
~~~~~~~
Week 5: No Pass Used
Week 6: Karla
Week 7: No Pass
Week 8: No Pass
~~~~~~
Week 9:No Passes

I'm good with Razorsharp Readers. Thanks for taking on the Captainship Grace!

Grace, I'm glad to hear the fires were away from you, but so much devastation! Thanks for taking on the leadership role. Maybe if we're all ready Jane will start early again this time...

Lynne wrote: "Grace, I'm glad to hear the fires were away from you, but so much devastation! Thanks for taking on the leadership role. Maybe if we're all ready Jane will start early again this time..."

I'd like to - but we are still waiting on 4 participants in other teams to report in. But their team-mates are getting on with the naming and Captainship, so we might still be good to go :)

I vote for starting early ;0)

I'm good with the name and starting early. I won't be able to post as much in the past (have to figure out the new work schedule) but I will still be reading!

I've messaged Jane with the name. We're ready to go! :)

Lauren wrote: "I vote for starting early ;0)"

I'm with Lauren! I'm not good at waiting.

I know, Friday seems like a long ways away.

Yay!! We get to start on Wednesday.

Only one more day to wait. This is good, because I was wondering what I should read next. I am finishing up 2 May books and still have 4 days until June before I can start reading books planned for that month. I am not sure what I am in the mood for, so this will help me decide.

I have 2 more books to read for the M&G challenge. I'm really hoping one of them will work for this weeks theme.

What's the M&G challenge?

It's the Meet and Greet challenge. It's kind of a pick it for me challenge on steroids. You're in a group with about 20 people and give each person 3 picks to read based upon a shelf they create. You end up picking 1 pick from each person to read over 2 months. You only have to read 5 of the picks to complete it, but I'm trying this time to get all of them done. So far I've read 17 picks, working on the 18 with 2 more to go till the end of May. I really want to finish this time.

"Pick it for me on steroids" - LMAO! That's it exactly. I just finished my 5th book for the challenge. I haven't managed to complete the entire list yet - even after 3 rounds. Maybe the 4th will be the lucky one :0)

I haven't been able to finish all of them yet. I'm determined to finish this time, even if it may mean some late nights :)

I've only been in the challenge for two rounds. Last round, I read five, this round I read six. For the fourth round, I set my shelf up with most of the books I need for a connection challenge, (I have to read all of the books in a certain order), in a different group, plus some books I need for other challenges. Now I just hope that those books will work for this and a few other team challenges, then, maybe I'll finish the challenge.

Maybe I'll try this summer when I'm not so swamped with school. I looked at that in earlier rounds, but I'm trying to set better limits on reading, HAHA.

I seem to get stuck around 10 for the MnG. Mabye next time I'll get a little further!

Week 1: Read the first book of a new (to you) series
or
Option 2 key date: 27 November 2013 (must be rated at least 3 stars, and you can't go back further than this 'date read' if you select from a team-member's bookshelf)

as a reminder for your initial post make sure you include the following:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies

Remember books need to be 35,000 minimum word count or have at least 100 pages.

Hope everyone finds a good book!

This weeks pass is also available to first come first serve.

I have several of these scheduled for June, but I can't start those until Sunday. Off to see what I can find to start now that doesn't mess up my other challenge plans. If not, I will have plenty of time to read one of those by the deadline.

Just in case there are other members who need it, I won't need to use a free pass during this challenge. I am usually a very flexible reader and work in a library so I won't have any trouble finding a book to read each week. I also have no vacation plans this summer, everyone is coming to me:)

I have some planning to do before I announce the book I will be reading.

Week 1: Flirting Under a Full Moon by Ashlyn Chase
352 pages (paperback)
First book in the Flirting with Fangs Series (new to me)

Week 1

Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell
304 pgs per GR
Fighting for Love Series #1

Your first two selection posts look great :)

I have a book on hold at the library that will work and should be ready by Fri. I can change it to one of my other books on Sun if I don't get it time, though, right?

Turtlecollector wrote: "I have a book on hold at the library that will work and should be ready by Fri. I can change it to one of my other books on Sun if I don't get it time, though, right?"

Yup - you can change your book selection any time within the week that the theme is called. After that, you can't change.

Yes, you can change your book as long as it is before next Friday. Once the second weeks theme as been called, you can't change it. So you have tons of time.