Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Team Members


Captain Grinder
🫘KarenH

Frothers
🍵Breann
🍵Liza
🍵Maddie
🍵Christene Paula
🍵Laks

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. Captain Grinder - 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, 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 14 September

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 information in a NEW post. I don't want to have to keep going backwards in the thread.

Weekly Themes

Week 1




(view spoiler)[ Week 2




Week 3




Week 4




Week 5




Week 6




Week 7




Week 8




Week 9




Week 10




Week 11 (hide spoiler)]

Selection/Completion Posts - Weeks 1-4

Week 1 - Complete
(view spoiler)[✔🫘KarenH - Lost and Found - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - Magic Tides - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - My Perfect Screwup - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Maddie - Left Behind - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Christene Paula - Lost and Found - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Laks - Solstice - Selection Post / Completion Post (hide spoiler)]


Week 2 - Complete
(view spoiler)[✔🫘KarenH - There's No Coming Back from This - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - Eidolon - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - Bewitched by Bella's Brother- Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Maddie - Entreat Me - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Christene Paula - The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag- Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Laks - The Understatement of the Year - Selection Post / Completion Post (hide spoiler)]



Week 3 - Complete
(view spoiler)[✔🫘KarenH - Touch & Geaux - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - Twisted - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - My Professor Sweetheart - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Maddie - Fortuna Sworn - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Christene Paula - The House in the Pines - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Laks - Slow Pitch - Selection Post / Completion Post (hide spoiler)]



Week 4 - Complete
(view spoiler)[✔🫘KarenH - Shock & Awe - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - Chaos in Death - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - Him - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Maddie - The True Love Experiment - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Christene Paula - A Kiss at Midnight - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Laks - Headstrong - Selection Post / Completion Post (hide spoiler)]

Selection/Completion Posts - Weeks 5-8

Week 5 - Complete
(view spoiler)[✔🫘KarenH - Deception in Darkness - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - Ghost Story - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - Backstage Pass - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Maddie - House of Beating Wings - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Christene Paula - The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Laks - Aftermath - Selection Post / Completion Post (hide spoiler)]



Week 6 - Complete
(view spoiler)[✔🫘KarenH - Red Dirt Heart - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - Delusion in Death - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - Stick Shift - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Maddie - PASS - Selection Post /
✔🍵Christene Paula - Glory in Death - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Laks - Frog - Selection Post / Completion Post (hide spoiler)]



Week 7 - Complete
(view spoiler)[✔🫘KarenH - Deep Freeze - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - Calculated in Death - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - Dear Daddy, Please Praise Me - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Maddie - Stuck with You - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Christene Paula - A Flicker in the Dark - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Laks - Faith & Fidelity - Selection Post / Completion Post (hide spoiler)]



Week 8
✔🫘KarenH - Saving Grace - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - The Lion's Lady - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - The Ballad of Crow and Sparrow - Selection Post / Completion Post
🍵Maddie - Sun of Blood and Ruin - Selection Post /
✔🍵Christene Paula - When Beauty Tamed the Beast - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Laks - When Skies Have Fallen - Selection Post / Completion Post

Selection/Completion Posts - Weeks 9-11

Week 9
✔🫘KarenH - Tic-Tac-Mistletoe - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - My Word Against His - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - Reindeer Games - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Maddie - Under One Roof - Selection Post / Completion Post
🍵Christene Paula - EWB: Enemies With Benefits - Selection Post /
✔🍵Laks - Merry Christmas Cupid - Selection Post / Completion Post



Week 10
✔🫘KarenH - Arctic Wild - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Breann - Cross Her Heart - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Liza - Grumpy Bear - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔🍵Maddie - Below Zero - Selection Post / Completion Post
🍵Christene Paula - Magic Burns - Selection Post /
🍵Laks - Sex & Sourdough - Selection Post /



Week 11
(view spoiler)[🫘KarenH -
🍵Breann -
🍵Liza -
🍵Maddie -
🍵Christene Paula -
🍵Laks - (hide spoiler)]

Team Name Suggestions

Romance Reading Roasters
Cafe au Lover
Romance Spice Latte
Brew of Romance
Caffeinated Chapter Chasers

**

Hi all! I'm looking forward to finding out who is joining me for this round!

Just a bit about me - I live in a small town in NW Washington state with my spoiled, 60 lb. "lap dog". I read mostly romance, probably 90% or more, with the rest being mostly mystery/suspense and very rarely something else random that catches my eye. Within the romance genre I read some of just about everything so hopefully my shelves will be helpful for anyone wanting to use Option 2 for any tasks. The only things I try to avoid are inspirational and YA, although I will occasionally read YA if it's recommended by someone whose tastes I trust to be similar to mine. I also listen to audiobooks almost exclusively, so if something isn't out in audio chances are pretty good I won't get to it unless it's really short.

Our first task is to come up with a name, hopefully somehow related to our coffee theme. I'm horrible at names, so I hope some of you have more creativity than I do! The only thing I can think of is something related to caffeine - Overstimulated something...that's all I have for now, but it's late and time for bed. I'll try again tomorrow!

Hi everyone, I'm Christene from PH. Recently joined the group and this will be my first Pass the Parcel Challenge. I'm an Occupational Therapist working in hospitals and a newly mom like 2 months now lmao. :) And I read romance, mystery/thriller, and fantasy. Hopefully discover more genre to read here. Happy to be here. :)

Hello! I’m Breann and I’m in southern AZ. I homeschool my 3 children and I have a crochet website & YouTube channel.

I’ve played PTP a few times, but not in a few years. I’m excited to join again! I read mostly romance. Contemporary, paranormal, historical… almost any sub-genre of romance 😊

Romance Reading Roasters
Cafe au Lover
Romance Spice Latte
Brew of Romance

Loved Romance Spice Latte.

My suggestion will be Caffeinated Chapter Chasers

Christene Paula✨ wrote: My suggestion will be Caffeinated Chapter Chasers"

I like this one, too!

For option 2, I can sub a book within the same series, correct?

Example: KarenH has In Death #56 on her read shelf -4 stars- on 9/4/23. I can read #34 for option 2?

I only recently started reading a lot again, so I won't have much to offer for option 2 for y'all :(

Hi everyone!

It's been a long time since I've been on a team with so many people that I haven't interacted with much, if at all...and the one I have, it's been FOREVER! Welcome back, Breann! I've sent friend requests to all of you (except Breann since we're already friends).

I love all the names suggested, but my favorites so far are Caffeinated Chapter Chasers and Romance Spice Latte. We'll see what the others have in mind when they check in, but at least we have a really good start!

Breann, to answer your question, yes, you can substitute within a series when using Option 2...definitely a lifesaver at times!

Hi everybody! My name is Liza and I am a stay at home mom currently living in New England, but we're in the process of moving South in the next few months, so life is chaos! Lol. Reading is the only thing that keeps me sane. And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee!!!! I like Caffeinated Chapter Chasers.

Hi all! I'm Maddie, and I love in New Zealand! I'm an accountant who is also studying and is going to be getting 2 kittens in the next few weeks :D I'm starting to get more into indie romance so I'm super excited

I'm not fussed on a team name :)

Also hey Christene! I recognise you from my group YA BR Corner <3

Maddie wrote: "Hi all! I'm Maddie, and I love in New Zealand! I'm an accountant who is also studying and is going to be getting 2 kittens in the next few weeks :D I'm starting to get more into indie romance so I'..."

Hi Maddie. I am everywhere lmao. I love book Challenges. :)

@Christene: That used to be me but now I just do SS, this and ya br challenge

Hi all,

We're still waiting to hear from Laks, but since teams are starting to claim names and we already have a majority that like Caffeinated Chapter Chasers, I'm going to go ahead and claim it for us.

Yes I like that one!

Sounds good to me!

Hello everyone... I am Laks from southern India. I am a doctor , married with a 9 yr old daughter. I read MM Romances almost exclusively for past few years. I love mysteries, PNR and historicals . Ready to try any genre once at least. 🙂

I have played this game once years back and am hoping to have fun again. Love the Caffeine name 👍

Hi Laks! We're all checked in and we have a name! Now we just need to wait for the first call...

I'm ready and waiting!

And here we go...first theme!

Week 1
#4 - read a book written by two authors

Qualification needs to be shown on the main page with 2 authors listed (narrators don’t count) or through a list which shows authors that write under a single name.

Selection Post: Week 1 - Option 1
My Perfect Screwup by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Page numbers: 252 pgs/GR
How it Qualifies: authors listed as Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

[*book:My Perfect Screwup|150029552]

Week #1- Selection Post
Option 1

Magic Tides
Page numbers: 158 pgs/GR
How the book qualifies: Ilona Andrews listed on Best Books Written by Two Authors and Ilona Andrews is said to be a pseudonym for the husband and wife writing team on their author page

[*book:Magic Tides|65969788]

Hey everyone! I generally try to copy any messages Jane posts in the sign up or Q&A thread here, but I missed this one. In case anyone didn't see it...

Due to a miscalculation by me and the US Thanksgiving date 🦃 I will make week 1 a two week task.

This means that Thanksgiving will hit in our 2nd last week of the game, rather than the last week - meaning less stress for those who travel or are elbows-deep in dinner/guest preparations.

This allows us extra breathing space at this end to get our teams in order and checked in. If not every player is signed in by the start of the first task, it isn't the end of the world.

Revised timeline:
First theme call 15 September (2 week reading time)
Week 11 (last) theme call 1 December.

So no call next week, next call won't be until the Sept 29.

Week 1. Selection post
#4 - read a book written by two authors

Solstice by Eli Easton & R.J. Scott
Page numbers: 274pgs
How the book qualifies- written by 2 authors

[b*ook:Solstice|183765531]

Selection Post: Week 1 - Option 1

Lost and Found by Lucy Lennox & Sloane Kennedy
Page Numbers: 310p
How the books qualifies - written by 2 authors

[b*ook:Lost and Found|35576231]

Week 1 - Selection Post
Option 1

Lost and Found
Page count: 310
How the book qualifies: Per book page, written by Lucy Lennox and Sloane Kennedy

Week 1 (Option 1) Selection

How it fits: 2 authors (Vi Keeland & Dylan Scott
Pages: 290

Week 1. Completion post
Read a book written by two authors

Solstice by Eli Easton & R.J. Scott
Page numbers: 274pgs
How the book qualifies- written by 2 authors
Read date - 16.9.2023
Rating - 4 stars
Review - From the first page itself, you are drawn into a gruesome murder set in a National park. The sheriff, Gabriel has a hard time trying to solve the case with not much back up and lack of suspects. The only witness left behind is the victim's dog. And there comes Tiber, an animal behaviorist who can help Gabriel solve this case.

The mystery is good and I loved Tiber's role and his love for all animals. He has quite a menagerie going on!

[b*ook:Solstice|183765531]

I'm 25% into mine, will finish today or tomorrow

Breann wrote: "Week #1- Option 1

Magic Tides
Page numbers: 156 pgs/GR
How the book qualifies: Ilona Andrews listed on Best Books Written by Two Authors and Ilona Andrews is said to..."

Hey Breann! Will you please correct your page count to the one that matches the edition you linked to (158)? Thanks!

Maddie wrote: "Week 1 (Option 1) Selection

How it fits: 2 authors (Vi Keeland & Dylan Scott
Pages: 272"

Hi Maddie! Will you please correct your page count to the one that matches the edition you linked to (290)? Thanks!

Oh sure! Sorry!

Done

~KarenH~ wrote: "Breann wrote: "Week #1- Option 1

Magic Tides
Page numbers: 156 pgs/GR
How the book qualifies: Ilona Andrews listed on Best Books Written by Two Authors and Ilona And..."

Done :)

Week 1 - Completion Post
Option 1

Lost and Found

Rating: 5 stars
Review: I always enjoy both Lucy Lennox and Sloane Kennedy, but this collaboration between the two just worked for me on all levels. Loved the characters and setting, and watching Xander and Bennett heal from the pain of their shared (but separate) past was wonderful. I listened to the audio version, and as always, Michael Pauley did a great job. I can't wait for a chance to dive into the next book in the series!

Week #1: Completion Post
Option 1


Magic Tides

Rating: 4 stars
Review: I don't know how Ilona Andrews does it every time, but they just do. This was such a great peek into Kate and Curran's lives post the big conflict from the end of the main series. They are now trying to start over, somewhere new, and laying low. But problems arise, and Kate and her sword have to make themselves known. Can't wait to jump into the next one and I really hope they continue with this new Kate series! I'm so glad we don't have to say goodbye to them just yet.

Week 1: Completion Post
Option 1


Date Read: 9/19
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review: A very well written piece with a good bantering and angst. Loved the characters and setting perfect for a fall read. I enjoyed reading the story of Xander and Bennett, childhood friends that were separated and found each other again by fate. Two broken people met again in a hike of a lifetime in Colorado mountains. Healing each other's wounds from the past and moving forward together. Review Here

Completion Post: Week 1 - Option 1
My Perfect Screwup by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Rating: 4 stars

I loved this second chance romance. We didn't really get much of their first meeting, except in flashbacks, but when Caleb and Daniel cross.l paths again, the story starts to unfold. Luca was a little insufferable at first, but I'm glad they didn't make him the villain. Overall, this was a sweet and sexy story.

Week 1 (Option 1) Completion

How it fits: 2 authors (Vi Keeland & Dylan Scott
Pages: 290
Rating: 3.5 stars
Date read: 20/9/23

Review: When I bought this I didn't realise it was a YA book, but it dealt with very deep topics and I'd call it more of a contemporary than a romance! It was very much so about dealing with grief and coming to terms internally with loss and realising where you belong.
I picked this up because I'm trying to read more books from Vi Keeland. This read like it was very much so published in 2014, as there were some bad phrases regarding mental illness, bipolar in particular being brushed off as being 'crazy' by her best friend, and it was never seriously addressed other than a teasing reprimand.
This has solidified my goal to read more Keeland <3 I'm currently doing the audio for Well Played and it is definitely one I need to own

Wow guys, great way to start! Only Wendesday and everyone's done with their books! The only bad part about that is now we have to wait over a week for our next task... ☹️

Yes we were so onto it! I have to say please don't expect it of me every week lol I just happened to have time in my hectic tbr. But I try to stay up with it <3