Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Team members

Weather Bureau Chief
★ Christy

Reporters
✔Milica
✔Chris
✔Nicole (no avatar)
✔Himanshi
✔BarbaraAnn

1. Introduce yourself to your team. Let your team members know where you are from. This is a great to know when themes are announced and when team-mates can expect other members to post their book choices.

2. Chief - reserve a couple of posts in this thread tracking your team's book selection and completion. (Alternatively they could convert a chat comment to the tracking post/s.)

3. Name your team. Using this round's theme of the Weather, come up with a team name. 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 Jane(PS) by early Thursday 27 February.

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 including names to lists/shelves (where applicable), etc. I can't stress this enough. When in doubt - link it*!

* don't link to your review in your completion post - reviews in your completion posts should be included in full within that post.

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 with the format rules of the challenge.

Remember - you can ONLY change your book selection in the week that the theme is called.

6. You MUST check in with your team each week, ideally once the theme is announced. Please let your team know if you expect 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 Annoucement thread. The full list of themes announced during this round will be maintained in msg 1 of that thread.


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 5 weeks.
* This means that one or two team members (dependent upon the size of your team) will miss using a pass in each 5 week block.
* No-one can use the pass option in the last week of the challenge.
* In the final week if Option 2 is used, members must select their book from another team. This will be advised in the week 11 announcement.

Key selection and completion post information. You must have ALL elements in your book posts.


The format for selection posts Option 1:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please link or name the qualifying bookshelf/list where applicable (link if possible).
If the theme is based off the bookcover or a letter in the title etc, please just repeat the theme.

The format for selection posts Option 2:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.


Format for completion posts:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review


Please DO NOT CHAT in these selection/completion posts. It needs to be super clear.

If you 'waffle' about your decided book - please REPOST your selection once you decide. DO NOT go back and edit your waffling post.

I'll track each team's progress separately, using the Captain's summary in each team's thread to check for accuracy.

Week 1:
Christy: Selection Completion
Milica: Selection Completion
Chris: Selection Completion
Nicole: Selection Completion
Himanshi: Selection Completion
BarbaraAnn: Selection Completion


Week 2:
Christy: Selection Completion
Milica: Selection Completion
Chris: Selection Completion
Nicole: Selection Completion
Himanshi: Selection Completion
BarbaraAnn: Selection Completion

Week 3:
Christy: Selection Completion
Milica: Selection Completion
Chris: Selection Completion
Nicole: Selection Completion
Himanshi: Selection Completion
BarbaraAnn: Selection Completion

Week 4:
Christy: Selection Completion
Milica: Selection Completion
Chris: Selection Completion
Nicole: Selection Completion
Himanshi: Selection Completion
BarbaraAnn: Selection Completion

Week 5:
Christy: Selection Completion
Milica: Selection Completion
Chris: Pass
Nicole: Selection Completion
Himanshi: Selection Completion
BarbaraAnn: Selection Completion

Selection Completion

Week 6:
Christy: Pass
Milica: Selection Completion
Chris: Selection Completion
Nicole: Selection Completion
Himanshi: Selection Completion
BarbaraAnn: Selection Completion

Week 7:
Christy: Selection Completion
Milica: Selection Completion
Chris: Selection Completion
Nicole: Selection Completion
Himanshi: Selection Completion
BarbaraAnn: Selection Completion

Week 8:
Christy: Selection Completion
Milica: Selection Completion
Chris: Selection
Nicole: Selection Completion
Himanchi: Selection Completion
BarbaraAnn: Selection Completion

Selection Completion

Week 9:
Christy: Selection
Milica: Selection Completion
Chris: Selection
Nicole: Selection
Himanshi: Selection
BarbaraAnn: Selection Completion

Week 10:
Christy: Selection
Milica:
Chris: Selection
Nicole: Selection
Himanshi:
BarbaraAnn: Selection


Selection Completion

Hi All! I'm Christy. I live in Richmond VA with my 2 egregiously spoiled dogs. I'm a self-employed consultant and I work from home. It's the 2nd time I've been involved in this challenge, and I'm looking forward to captaining for the first time.

In my free time, I read (obviously), watch TV, and check out the local breweries. I have a massive collection of unread kindle ARC's since I used to work for Amazon as a book buyer and can still download a ton of titles as a result. I mostly read romance, generally historical roman

Hi! I’m BarbaraAnn. I live in Illinois so currently patiently waiting for spring. In my free time I read, watch tv, hike and am learning how to knit. I read a bit of everything but a lot have romance as part of the plot.

I think this is my third time playing this game.

My name is Nicole. Christy I live near you in New Kent VA. I work in Richmond. This is my favorite challenge. I read everything romance. least favorite is historical romance. I love this challenge because I end up reading books I may not have found on my own. Remember to update read dates on your read list so we have books to choose from.

Does anyone have a team name suggestion? I'm drawing a blank on anything weather-related right now other than rain! Not super creative.

Nicole wrote: "My name is Nicole. Christy I live near you in New Kent VA. I work in Richmond. This is my favorite challenge. I read everything romance. least favorite is historical romance. I love this challenge ..."

Hi Nicole - My first local teammate. I live in Shockoe Bottom and I've been here for a bit over 2 years.

Christy wrote: "Does anyone have a team name suggestion? I'm drawing a blank on anything weather-related right now other than rain! Not super creative."

I'm not good with names. The only ones i can think of are:

Sunny reading ahead
Reading storm chasers

The hurricanes?

Hi, I'm Milica, I live in Belgrade, Serbia. Finishing the last year at university, and hopefully, really soon, starting a first job in IT. Love reading romance, all genres, especially, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi... In my free time, I love going to theatre and watching almost everything, from Shakespeare and other classic plays to modern comedy, however, truly love operas, musicals and ballets. I walk everyday at least 5 miles, and used to swim a lots. Food is my second passion, love cooking and checking out new restaurants with interesting international cuisine, although favourite is the Italian food. Every year I visit Italy, and this year I'm going to Lido di Jesolo, near Venice. This is the first time that I'm doing the challenge, and really excited about it.

Hey, everyone! I'm Himanshi from India, a first-year MBA student and am currently trying to make a career in the banking sector. My favorite past times are reading books (obviously!), watching movies or tv series, shopping and hanging out with my friends. And my favorite genres are Romance, PNR/UF, Chick lit, Fantasy, Historical Romance, and Sci-fi.

Hello~

I'm a librarian in Northeast Ohio. Other than reading, I enjoy writing, listening to music, shopping, watching movies and tv shows, and have recently begun to sew and play story-based video games! I have two adorable cats that love to sit on my books, haha 🐈🐈

My favorite tropes are enemies-to-lovers, forbidden-love, and friends-to-lovers and I'll read that in almost any romance genre! However, I am trying to read more Paranormal, Fantasy, and Science Fiction Romances this year.

I've sent everyone a friend request, but feel free to ignore that.

♥ Chris

So I love puns; here are some:

"Sun True Love"
"You Had Me At Helios"
"P.S. Sky Love You"
"You Are My Sunshine"
"Happy Reading Rays" or just "Reading Rays"

Here are the team names suggested to now. Any favorites from the group?

Sunny reading ahead
Reading storm chasers
Love is a Hurricane
Sun True Love
You Had Me At Helios
P.S. Sky Love You
You Are My Sunshine
Happy Reading Rays or just Reading Rays

As an FYI, I might not be online over the next day or so. I'm afraid I've started to feel pretty gross and might be out of commission for a bit.

Christy wrote: "As an FYI, I might not be online over the next day or so. I'm afraid I've started to feel pretty gross and might be out of commission for a bit."

I hope you feel better soon Christy!

I think all the team names look good. I'll vote for You Had Me At Helios but I'll be ok with any of them.

I like you had me at helios as well. its different

@ Milica @Chris @Himanshi

Do any of you have a favorite team name?

BarbaraAnn wrote: "Christy wrote: "As an FYI, I might not be online over the next day or so. I'm afraid I've started to feel pretty gross and might be out of commission for a bit."

I hope you feel better soon Christy!"

Thanks - I'm not great but at least I'm getting around a bit today!

I’m fine with You Had Me at Helios!

I'm okay with You Had Me At Helios

Selection post

Week #1 Fires - read a book with a red or black cover.
Ty's Obsession
Page numbers 200
How the book qualifies - book cover is mostly black

Selection Post
Week #1
Shiver
Author: Suzanne Wright
Pages: 338
Qualification: 54.5% black according to tineye labs https://labs.tineye.com/color/f407dc4...

Selection post
Week #1 Fires - read a book with a red or black cover

Dear Adam
Author: Kelsie Stelting
Page numbers: 288
How the book qualifies: 72.6 % red according to tineye labs
https://labs.tineye.com/color/63fe72a...

Sorry I didn't post this earlier, I was out all day yesterday so wasn't online. In case anyone hasn't seen the call, here it is.

Week 1

Option 1:
2. Fires - read a book with a red or black cover.
The cover. must have more than 50% of the color 'black' or 'red' on it. If you aren't sure, post the cover here for approval.

Option 2:
Key date - 6 September 2019
A book on your team mates 'read' list AND rated at least 3 stars and read on or after the key date.

Option 3:
Pass
This can only be used once each 5 weeks. Only one team mate can use this option each week

Selection post: week 1

288 pages
How it fits: over 50% of the cover is red

Selection Post: Week 1
Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
384 pages
Option 2: read by Chris 12/3/19 3 stars

Completion post
Week # 1
Ty's Obsession
Rating ****
Review
I wasn't crazy about the first 2 books in the series, but decided on this book because it had a black cover and I needed a book set in Oklahoma for another changes. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought Ty and Ben were better than Quinn and Lorcan both individually and as a couple

Selection Post
Week 1
Option Two


Slouch Witch by Helen Harper
Pages: 342
Read and rated ★★★★★ by Milica on 12.12.2019

Completion post
Week #1 Fires - read a book with a red or black cover


Dear Adam

Author: Kelsie Stelting

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review: This was my first novel by Kelsie Stelting. This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I loved the story. Hate to love is one of mine favorite tropes. I like two main characters. They aren't just a high school stereotypes. The book, shows that, although Emerick and Nora come from different backgrounds that are not so different. I really like the relationships in the book, especially between Emerick and Nora and Nora and her younger sister.

Completion Post: Week 1
Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
384 pages
Option 2: read by Chris 12/3/19 3 stars
Read: 3/12
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:
This was a very cute chick-lit book, that I absolutely adored. I enjoyed the chemistry between Dax and Kailyn. I also liked the storyline with Dax's sister.

Completion Post
Week #1
Shiver
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: This was an action-packed contemporary romance book, which meant I enjoyed every single page of it. There was so much drama, mystery, suspense, romance and humor in it. Although this was my second re-read of the book, I loved reading it just as much as I did the first time.

Here we go! Link to post for lists: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Week 2

Option 1:
5. Cyclone/Hurricane - read a book from the following list:
Gay Romance with Crazy Jealous Partner/s
MM romance with Crazy Person
Crazy Love
Villains Need Love Too
Craziest Harlequins
Heroines Who Dye Their Hair Crazy Colors
The book MUST come from one of these lists. Please provide the list in your selection post (link preferred) and the number that the book shows as on that list.

Option 2:
Key date - 13 September 2019
A book on your team mates 'read' list AND rated at least 3 stars and read on or after the key date.

Option 3:
Pass
This can only be used once each 5 weeks. Only one team mate can use this option each week.

Selection Post - Week 2
No Judgments by Meg Cabot
Pages: 384
How it qualifies - # 19 on Heroines Who Dye Their Hair Crazy Colors (Blue, Pink, Green, Purple, etc.)

Selection Post
Week 1
Option Two


Slouch Witch by Helen Harper
Pages: 342
Read and rated ★★★★★ by Milica on 12.12.2019
Review: ★★★
A good witch book is hard to find.

There's Always the Standard That Shall Be Named Harry Potter--I don't know whether to curse you or kiss you, J.K. Rowling)--and internal expectations of the magical to contend with. A good witch book may be hard to find; nevertheless, Slouch Witch will get you through a reading dry spell.

NOTE TO AUTHOR: This is how you write curly hair.

Chris wrote: "Selection Post
Week 1
Option Two


Slouch Witch by Helen Harper
Pages: 342
Read and rated ★★★★★ by Milica on 12.12.2019
Review: ★★★..."

Can you please update to say Completion Post instead of Selection?

Thanks!

Selection Post Week 2

Timing by Mary Calmes
Pages 230
How it qualifies: #3 on this list Gay Romance With Crazy Jealous Partners

Selection post

Week #2: Option 1


Road of No Return: Hounds of Valhalla MC

Author: K.A. Merikan

Page numbers: 236

How the book qualifies: #81 on the list Gay Romance With Crazy Jealous Partner/s

Completion Post
Week 1
Option Two


Slouch Witch by Helen Harper
Pages: 342
Read and rated ★★★★★ by Milica on 12.12.2019
Review: ★★★
A good witch book is hard to find.

There's Always the Standard That Shall Be Named Harry Potter--I don't know whether to curse you or kiss you, J.K. Rowling)--and internal expectations of the magical to contend with. A good witch book may be hard to find; nevertheless, Slouch Witch will get you through a reading dry spell.

NOTE TO AUTHOR: This is how you write curly hair.

Christy wrote: "Can you please update to say Completion Post instead of Selection?

Thanks!"

Updated! Sorry!

Chris wrote: "Christy wrote: "Can you please update to say Completion Post instead of Selection?

Thanks!"

Updated! Sorry!"

No worries! Thanks for fixing.

Completion post

Week #2


Road of No Return: Hounds of Valhalla MC

Author: K.A. Merikan

Rating: ⭐️

Review: This is the second book that I read by K.A. Merikan. Unfortunately, the first one was far from good, however this one deserves only one star. It is rather a rare occasion, that I mark so low any book, but this one simply didn't tick any of the boxes, from the characters to plot, nothing worked for me.

Selection Post
Week #2
The Sweetest Oblivion
Author: Danielle Lori
Pages: 386
Qualification: #247 on https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Selection Post
Week 2
Option 1


Kiss of Vengeance by S. Young
Pages: 400 (GR)
Qualification: #177 on Villains Need Love Too