Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Team Members


Lead Rapper
👩‍🎤MKat

Singers / Dancers
🕺Bailey
🕺Chiara
🕺UC {beppy}
🕺Karen ♐
🕺Laila Jane

1. Introduce yourself to your team. 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. Lead Rapper - 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 BTS, come up with a fun name. 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 Jane(PS) by 31 March.

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. (It will also help with one of the categories in this round!)

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 links 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 in 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, etc.

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 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 Option 2 has altered and I will be allocating each team another team from which their book selection must be chosen :)

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


For selection post Option 1 you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please note which qualifying bookshelf/list you are using or the tags that justifies that it works.
If the theme is based off the bookcover, post the cover. If there is a letter count in the title, publication date etc, please note these details.

For selection post Option 2 you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.

For selection post Option 3 you must have:
Week #
PASS


For the completion post you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review


Please DO NOT CHAT in these selction/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.

IF YOU NEED TO CORRECT A POST FOR MISSING INFORMATION or because the didn't qualify etc, please REPOST this inforamtion in a NEW post. I don't want to have to keep going backwards in the thread.

Week 1: 10. RM (Rap Monster) was the first BTS member recruited.

Selection Posts
MountainKat: Barbarian Lover by Ruby Dixon; message #35
Bailey: Evil Twin by Kati Wilde; message #44
Chiara: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black; message #42
UC {beppy}: Treasure by Kim Fielding; message #49
Karen ♐: Forever Mine by Monica Burns; message #43
Laila Jane: Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones; message #41

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 3.31.2022; message #39
Bailey: Completed 4.6.2022; message #46
Chiara: Completed 4.15.2022; message #83
UC {beppy}: Completed 4.14.2022; message #71
Karen ♐: Completed 4.9.2022; message #61
Laila Jane: Completed 4.8.2022; message #57

Week 2: 16. Jungkook - the youngest group member and the main singer. He is also very competitive and sporty.

Selection Posts
MountainKat: Hard to Handle by K. Bromberg; message #53
Bailey: Tutoring the Delinquent by Jessa Kane; message #64
Chiara: Beauty and the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills; message #56
UC {beppy}: Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score; message #72
Karen ♐: The Player by K. Bromberg; message #54
Laila Jane: Outmatched by Kristen Callihan; message #58

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 4.12.2022; message #67
Bailey: Completed 4.12.2022; message #65
Chiara: Completed 4.14.2022; message #74
UC {beppy}: Completed 4.25.2022; message #114
Karen ♐: Completed 4.13.2022; message #66
Laila Jane: Completed 4.14.2022; message #86

Week 3: 7. Fashion is part of the vibrant presentation.

Selection Posts
MountainKat: Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel by Lorraine Heath; message #81
Bailey: Gray Hair Don't Care by Karen Booth; message #94
Chiara: The Invitation by Vi Keeland; message #84
UC {beppy}: The Swedish Prince by Karina Halle; message #98
Karen ♐: Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas; message #79
Laila Jane: Beauty and the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills; message #90

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 4.15.2022; message #91
Bailey: Completed 4.30.2022; message #131
Chiara: Completed 5.14.2022; message #176
UC {beppy}: Completed 4.25.2022; message #115
Karen ♐: Completed 4.25.2022; message #118
Laila Jane: Completed 4.21.2022; message #113

Week 4: 2. Breaking into the Japanese market allowed K-pop to really take off.

Selection Posts
MountainKat: Option 2; Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb; message #105
Bailey: Falling for His Best Friend by Kate Robert; message #123
Chiara: Option 2; Lease on Love by Falon Ballard; message #108
UC {beppy}: Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron; message #116
Karen ♐: Option 2; The Spark by Vi Keeland; message #102
Laila Jane: Updated; XOXO by Axie Oh; message #120

Completion Posts
MountainKat: completed 4.25.2022; message #121
Bailey: Completed 5.2.2022; message #135
Chiara: Completed 4.29.2022; message #130
UC {beppy}: Completed 4.25.2022; message #117
Karen ♐: Completed 4.27.2022; message #124
Laila Jane: Completed 4.30.2022; message #139

Week 5: 1. The more modern form of the genre emerged with the formation of one of the earliest K-pop groups, the boy band Seo Taiji and Boys, in 1992.

Selection Posts
MountainKat: Rapture by J.R. Ward; message #128
Bailey: The Heir Apparent's Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells; message #132
Chiara: Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score; message #134
UC {beppy}: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez; message #143
Karen ♐: Beauty and Her Beasts by Lisa Cullen; message #138
Laila Jane: The Reluctant Bride by Monica Murphy; message #133

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 5.2.2022; message #137
Bailey: Completed 5.2.2022; message #136
Chiara: Completed 5.10.2022; message #161
UC {beppy}: Completed 5.6.2022; message #145
Karen ♐: Completed 5.8.2022; message #152
Laila Jane: Completed 5.4.2022; message #142

Week 6: 5. The French Institut national de l'audiovisuel defines K-pop as a "fusion of synthesized music, sharp dance routines and fashionable, colorful outfits."

Selection Posts
MountainKat: State of Affairs by Marie Force; message #158
Bailey: Book Lovers by Emily Henry; message #157
Chiara: Book Lovers by Emily Henry; message #170
UC {beppy}: The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas; message #171
Karen ♐: The Bull Rider's Brother by Lynn Calhoun; message #150
Laila Jane: Option 2; Flirt by Adriana Locke; message #156

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 5.10.2022; message #159
Bailey: completed 5.10.2022; message #160
Chiara: Completed 5.26.2022; message #201
UC {beppy}: Completed 5.27.2022; message #203
Karen ♐: Completed 5.13.2022; message #174
Laila Jane: Completed 5.19.2022; message #193

Week 7: 13. J-Hope is a rapper as well. With his independent release of the song 'Chicken Noodle Soup', he is also the wealthiest.

Selection Posts
MountainKat: Option 2; Ritual In Death by J.D. Robb; message #177
Bailey: Kulti by Mariana Zapata; message #180
Chiara: Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens; message #187
UC {beppy}: Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines; message #185
Karen ♐: Forty 2 Days by Georgia Le Carre; message #175
Laila Jane: Sway by Adriana Locke; message #179

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 5.16.2022; message #181
Bailey: Completed 5.17.2022; message #183
Chiara: Completed 6.2.2022; message #223
UC {beppy}: Completed 5.27.2022; message #204
Karen ♐: Completed 5.17.2022; message #182
Laila Jane: Completed 5.20.2022; message #218

Week 8: 8. Some K-pop artists have suggested that the uncertainty and pressures of their jobs as entertainers may be detrimental to their mental health.

Selection Posts
MountainKat: The Last Wicked Scoundrel by Lorraine Heath; message #190
Bailey: Wrong by Jana Aston; message #198
Chiara: The Unrequited by Saffron A. Kent; message #192
UC {beppy}: Limits by Susie Tate; message #205
Karen ♐: Turbulent Desires by Melody Anne; message #195
Laila Jane: Fire in You by J. Lynn; message #194

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 5.24.2022; message #196
Bailey: Completed 5.31.2022; message #219
Chiara:
UC {beppy}: Completed 5.27.2022; message #206
Karen ♐: Completed 5.27.2022; message #208
Laila Jane: Completed 6.6.2022; message #240

Week 9: 11. Jin is the eldest member of the group and was recruited for both his looks and singing. His tag name is World Wide Handsome.

Selection Posts
MountainKat: State of Grace by Marie Force; message #211
Bailey: The Failing Hours by Sara Ney; message #220
Chiara: Well Played by Vi Keeland; message #213
UC {beppy}: All-American Cowboy by Dylan Crush; message #215
Karen ♐: The Invitation by Vi Keeland; message #210
Laila Jane: Not My Romeo by Ilsa Madden-Mills; message #224

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 5.31.2022; message #222
Bailey: Completed 5.31.2022; message #221
Chiara: Completed 6.8.2022; message #244
UC {beppy}: Completed 5.30.2022; message #216
Karen ♐: Completed 5.30.2022; message #217
Laila Jane: Completed 6.11.2022; message #269

Week 10: 4. The first known use of the term K-pop occurred on Billboard on October 9, 1999.

Selection Posts
MountainKat: Dearest Milton James by N.R. Walker; message #230
Bailey: Barbarian Lover by Ruby Dixon; message #248
Chiara: Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke; message #245
UC {beppy}: Off Plan by May Archer; message #239
Karen ♐: Forever Yours, Sir by Laylah Roberts; message #235
Laila Jane: Updated; The Reunion by Meghan Quinn; message #252

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 6.6.2022; message #241
Bailey: Completed 6.9.2022; message #249
Chiara: Completed 6.10.2022; message #250
UC {beppy}: Completed 6.10.2022; message #258
Karen ♐: Completed 6.9.2022; message #247
Laila Jane: Completed 6.11.2022; message #270

Week 11: 14. Jimin - Fabulous dancer, great singer and Gucci loves him as they sell out of everything he wears. He's also the member that many men would turn gay for (even though Jimin is not actually gay). Is he almost perfect?


Selection Posts
MountainKat: Option 2; Missing In Death by J.D. Robb; message #261
Bailey:
Chiara:
UC {beppy}: The Last Thing He Needs by Peg Clive; message #263 - Page 7 on list.
Karen ♐: The Dom Identity by Lexi Blake; message #264
Laila Jane:

Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 6.10.2022; message #262
Bailey:
Chiara:
UC {beppy}:
Karen ♐: Completed 6.11.2022; message #266
Laila Jane:

Hi Team! I can't wait to see who I get to play with this round. I would probably be considered a veteran of this challenge since I've played every round. 😂

I'm Kat and I live in the mountains of SoCal, so definitely in the boonies. It takes me an hour to get to the grocery store, so audiobooks are my friend! I'm married to my high school sweetie and it is just the two of us again with our kids all grown with kids of their own. My main vice, other than reading, is Disneyland - I go more often than I should probably admit out loud. Really the only thing slowing me down these days is the price of gas. 💰

My reading is primarily limited to romance, but I try to read a variety of subgenres. I don't really have any taboos, but tend to shy away from YA and Inspirational. Hopefully my shelves can help if you want to use Option 2. 😊

Our first task as a team is to come up with a team name. The theme this round is BTS and our name should relate somehow to that. I'm drawing a complete blank at the moment though...

I will use this message to collect suggestions that hopefully you all come up with!

Hi Everyone!!
My name is Chiara, I'm 41 and I live in a small town in central Italy with my 2 fur babies. I mainly read romance books, but I also enjoy contemporary and mystery/thrillers. This year I'm also trying to get out of my comfort zone and read more genres, such as classics, fantasy and some YA.

I'm a newbie of this challenge since I think I only participated once a long time ago!!
Unfortunately I know absolutely nothing about BTS so I don't think I'll be able to help much with the name of the team 😔

Hi everyone! I'm Laila, and I live in the Chicago suburbs. I read pretty much only romances, but all types of subgenres. I actually like to mix it up between all the subgenres - going from contemporary to historical to paranormal and so on - so that I don't get stuck in a reading rut. I've done this challenge once or twice before, years ago, but I think I've got the generally idea down on how it works.

I work as a night nurse and I have an almost 5-year-old son and all my free time is spent reading, so I haven't kept up with all the new music and latest bands. The only reason I know who BTS is is because all my younger cousins are obsessed with them and will regularly send me memes and clips of their songs and interviews. All that to say I don't think I'll be very helpful with coming up with a team name either.

I decided to look at their song titles and maybe come up with a team name related to that?

Permission to Dance -> Permission to Read
Boy with Luv -> Books, with Luv

Hi everyone! My name is Karen and I live in Chicago with my hubby. We are also empty nesters. We have 3 sons and 2 DIL. Sadly, no grandchildren but we have grandpuppies... lol. I love all types of romance except SciFi and Inspirational. I have been in this challenge quite a few times and love it.

I'm horrible coming up with names but love your suggestions, Laila. Especially Books, with Luv!

Laila Jane wrote: "I decided to look at their song titles and maybe come up with a team name related to that?

Permission to Dance -> Permission to Read
Boy with Luv -> Books, with Luv"

I really like Books, with Luv!!

Hi Chiara, Laila Jane and Karen! I was at my 'home away from home' today so I was really happy when I got to my real home and saw you all comment and some ideas for team names too!

I really don't care so 'Books, with Luv' (with or without the comma!) works for me. 😊 Without kind of plays on the whole 'we read romance' idea. 😉

Unless there are any other suggestions or comments, we have 4 agreeing to that one so it is a majority. I will give it another day or two and see what the others think before sending anything to Jane though.

But for now, I'm going to go crash - I've been up and going for almost 20 hours! 🙀🥱😴

Now that you say it, I think I like Books with Luv better than the one with the comma

Hi, I'm Beppy.

I think that I've "met" some of you before. (Hi, Kat, Karen and Chiara! At least...I *think* I've met Karen and Chiara. If not, just chalk it up to me being at work really early on only 4 hours sleep.) I've played this challenge quite a few times; I think that I've only missed a couple of rounds. I live in Northern British Columbia in Canada, so I am on Pacific time.

I don't have babies, fur or otherwise. I read just about all genres, and just about all romance sub genres. I generally suck at thinking of team names, and the only thing that I know about BTS is that they exist, so that brings my naming proficiency down even more.

I do like "Books with Love".

Laila Jane wrote: "Now that you say it, I think I like Books with Luv better than the one with the comma"

I agree. Better without the comma.

Hi Beppy!

We are still waiting for Bailey to show up, but everyone else has checked in - yay!

I think "Books with Luv" has the consensus. Any objections?

Hi! Sorry I’m a bit late- I’m on vacation at the moment and haven’t been keeping up with my phone.

My name is Bailey! I am 25 and I live with my husband in New York. Originally from Texas, but we moved here for his law school. I’m in school getting my Masters in Library Science and I work with student accommodations at a community college!

I looove reading and mostly read romance (of all sub genres!!) I’ve been particularly into sci-fi and fantasy
lately, but I really enjoy everything except religious romance.

I think Books with Luv is cute! I’m not a huge BTS fan but I love this challenge- I think it’s my 3rd or 4th time around?

I’m so excited to do this challenge with y’all!! :)

Hi Bailey!

I'll let Jane know we have a name. 😊

I'm happy to go with Books With Luv, but just pointing out there is already a team called Reading With Luv...

That’s okay with me

I'm still good with our name. 😊

Me too

We could get our first theme today! 🥳🥳

Not sure I will be able to start a book before Friday even if we do - unless I have a nice short filler book that fits the theme AND will fit in between this afternoon and the first when I can start my next group of M&G books... 🤷🏻‍♀️

Priorities - I has them! 😂

FIRST THEME CALL!!

Week 1

Option 1
10. RM (Rap Monster) was the first BTS member recruited.

* Read a book with a PNR or Fantasy shelf showing on the main page.
Please state the applicable MPG in your qualification.

Option 2
Key date: 1 October 2021
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars


Option 3
Pass

A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 for formatting of all three options. This format is also in msg 3 of your team threads.

Week 1: 10. RM (Rap Monster) was the first BTS member recruited.
Selection Post

Barbarian's Prize by Ruby Dixon, 238 p. per GR
MPG 'Fantasy>Paranormal'

Found one that will work and I should be able to finish it before the next M&G round starts Friday. 😊

Mama's BTS PtP Selection Post

Week # 1

Theme ~ #10. RM (Rap Monster)
Option # 1
Book ~ Lethal Game
Pages ~ 400 pages
Qualifications ~ Fantasy > PNR

Mamacita aka MawMaw wrote: "Mama's BTS PtP Selection Post

Week # 1

Theme ~ #10. RM (Rap Monster)
Option # 1
Book ~ Lethal Game
Pages ~ 400 pages
Qualifications ~ Fantasy > PNR"

Hi Mama, you will need to repost this in your team thread. 😊

Week 1: 10. RM (Rap Monster) was the first BTS member recruited.
Completion Post

Barbarian's Prize by Ruby Dixon, 238 p. per GR
MPG 'Fantasy>Paranormal'

Completed 3.31.2022 *4 Stars*

I like how this story had a different energy, Tiffany needed that. I also liked how Salukh (thank goodness for audiobooks!) helped her overcome her fears and get her confidence back. Sweet story in a fun world.

I listened to the audio of this book and enjoyed Hollie Jackson's and Mason Lloyd's performances.

MountainKat wrote: "Mamacita aka MawMaw wrote: "Mama's BTS PtP Selection Post

Week # 1

Theme ~ #10. RM (Rap Monster)
Option # 1
Book ~ Lethal Game
Pages ~ 400 pages
..."

Sorry Team that shall not be named. Lol

Selection Post
Week #1 - RM (Rap Monster) was the first BTS member recruited

Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones
Page Numbers: 352 pgs
How It Qualifies: MPG Fantasy > Paranormal

SELECTION POST

Week #1
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Page numbers: 370
How the book qualifies : MPG Fantasy & Paranormal

SELECTION POST - Week 1 - Option 1


Forever Mine Monica Burns
Pages: 467
How It Fits: MPG Paranormal and Fantasy

Selection Post: Week 1, Option 1

Book: Evil Twin by Kati Wilde
Pages: 160
How it qualifies: Fantasy MPG


[*book:Evil Twin|57576984]

Tracking updated - only need Beppy's selection post before the next theme call Friday. 😊

(Completions would be good too, but selections need to be made before the next theme call to avoid elimination. 😉)

Completion Post: Week 1, Option 1

Book: Evil Twin by Kati Wilde
Pages: 160
How it qualifies: Fantasy MPG
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Review:
I really enjoyed this "villain gets the girl" story... especially the little twist at the beginning. The fantasy setting reminded me a lot of medieval times, but it wasn't bogged down with unnecessary details; the world was both magical and believable without being overwhelming in such a short novella.
I really liked both of the characters, Bane & Echo, but I could have had more development of their relationship. I think that a few more scenes of them together would have been perfect... as it is, it's a little too much telling rather than showing.


[*book:Evil Twin|57576984]

UnusualChild{beppy} wrote: " ..."

Don't forget to post your selection soon Beppy! Next call is in under 12 hours (pending my wake up time ;)

Oops! I meant to post my selection post the day after Kat said mine was needed and it COMPLETELY slipped my mind. I am not with it this round; I don't even have any potential books picked for every category.

FYI, I have actually read my chosen book, but I might not get time to post a completion review today.

Selection Post: Week 1 - RM - Rap Monster

Treasure
Pages: 117
How it qualifies: MPG "MM Romance- MM Fantasy"

[*bookcover:Treasure|18069488]

Awesome, we are set to get the next task!