Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

The Amazing Race Team Challenge - Round 9
April 13, 2024 through June 9, 2024
Born to Run

Team:
★ Ariel
✓ ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎
✓ Shandrea
✓ Christene Paula✨

The Amazing Race Team Challenge - Round 9
April 13, 2024 through June 9, 2024
Born to Run

Tracking:
Task 1 - 0. Each teammate reads a book initially published in April of any year OR a book with flowers on the cover - teams decide. No pass for this task. 4.13.2024 - 4.20.2024
Task 2 - 1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task. 4.20.2024 - 5.6.2024
Task 3 - 15. Read a minimum of 600 pages in books with an audio edition. 5.6.2024 - 5.11.2024
Task 4 - 25. Read 4 books written by one of the 2021 FACs (Featured Author Challenge). 5.11.2024 - 5.11.2024
Task 5 - 4. Read 4 books tagged/shelved as PNR or fantasy. 5.24.2024 - 6.7.2024
Task 6 - Last Task - Read a book with a naturally occurring body of water on the cover. 6.7.2024

Information required when posting your completion/s:

Task
Book/cover link
Page numbers with source
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary.
Date Completed.
Rating/Review.


**Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count only! If your page count comes from a Kindle edition published on the initial publication date on the editions page, it will count. If your page count comes from a Kindle edition labeled '1st edition', it will count. If your page count comes from the earliest dated English language Kindle edition, it will count. I am looking for one of those three things when confirming your books! As long the page count you list is correct, I will accept any link to the book. Ebook page count will be acceptable if no Kindle page count available. The acceptability of other page counts will be made on an individual basis.**

Please note that a rating is now required in your completion posts! A small review is also welcome. 😊

I think most of you know each other, at least a little, but feel free to introduce yourself again. Please give any relevant information, especially time zone as that helps know when it is best to communicate. 😊

Please select a team leader to help keep track of where your team is in any given task. And as necessary guide discussions for task decisions. Any teammate can report your completions though. I will use the team leader as a point of contact if needed.

Remember, it is the team's responsibility to notify the host (me) if a teammate fails to complete the task in a timely manner or otherwise goes missing! I am not checking all the team threads regularly to notice and may only check when notified a task is complete.

PS - If you want to be known as anything other than Team 13, you are free to come up with a team name. 😉

Hi everyone, I'm Christene from PH. This is my 2nd TART challenge and I'm excited to read new to me books/authors. I usually read romance, fantasy and mystery genres. I'm an Occupational Therapist working in hospitals and an 8 months mom now. :) Looking forward to this team challenge seeing some familiar people.

I'm afraid I am not confident to be a captain as this is just my 2nd time on the said challenge but I'll be happy to assist the captain if needed.

Btw, we need to come up with a decision on some task so that we'll have a smooth flow during the challenge.

Hi! If we haven't met in previous challenges, I'm Ariel and I am from south Florida. This is my fourth or fifth TART challenge and without a doubt, one of my favorites I participate in. I also read a lot of romance and mystery/thriller. As a substitute teacher, my day requires a lot of flexibility so I always have time to read.

I can take the the captain position if no one else wants to? I have captained the last couple times I have played so I am pretty confident in that.

I agree with on the smooth flow, Christene. In the past, I have put together a document that has a list of our questions and answers so that it goes smoother. Is that okay with everyone here? :)

Hi ladies. I’ve done the challenge before, not sure when but it was a fun challenge. I enjoy romance, suspense, mystery, fantasy and other genres. I’m from NY and work full time but even if I have 10 minutes to read I will also do it. Lol

Ariel we’ve been in a challenge before. Not quite sure which one. It could be this one. Hahaha I’m ok with you being captain and yes to the Q&A 😀

Hey team, my name is Shandrea. I've done this challenge since 2018. I am in Southern Idaho, which is MST. I mostly read romance, not so much paranormal or historical. I also substitute teach and I also run a small grocery store. I am also a mom of four and my husband is in the army. I generally only read one - two books a week. I hope that is okay.

Shandrea wrote: "Hey team, my name is Shandrea. I've done this challenge since 2018. I am in Southern Idaho, which is MST. I mostly read romance, not so much paranormal or historical. I also substitute teach and I ..."

Close but not quite, I started this challenge in 2020. 😊

Oh shoot, I was getting this challenge and the bachelor challenge mixed up.

I went through the list of tasks and put together the ones that require a team effort and recommendations/choices.

- Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.
Who are some of your favorite authors? Books? Etc?

- Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.
Series suggestions?

- Read a book recommended to you by a teammate - no pass for this task.
Recommendations?

- Read over 750 pages in books about the same profession, teams decide which profession.
Any profession requests?

- Each teammate reads a book published in the same month and year, teams decide. No pass for this task.
Any preferences?

- Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location.
Location recommendations?

- Each teammate reads a different book by the same author, no pass for this task.
Any author requests?

- Each teammate reads a book set in one of your teammates' home town (born in, raised in, currently live in - all work), teams decide. No pass for this task.
Hometown?
Mine could be used as Fort Myers, Sanibel, or Lakeland, Florida.

- Read 6 books set on a beach or in the mountains, teams decide which.
My vote is beach.

- Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide country.
Any suggestions?

- As a team, pick a list with over 100 romance books on it, each member reads a book from that list. No pass for this task.
Everyone should pick a list then we choose from those four.
Ariel’s suggestion: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

- Read 6 books published in the year one of the teammates joined RRRC, teams decide which teammate.
Ariel’s: 2013

- Read 6 books not set on a continent of a teammate. Space does not count - must be a real continent.
Ariel’s Continent: North America

- Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors.
My vote is for Romantic suspense.

- Read 4 books published in the decade of a teammate's birth, team decides which teammate.
Ariel’s: 1995

- Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author.
Any suggestions?

- Read 6 books published in a teammates' birth month, you may not use your own month.
Ariel’s: January

- Read over 1000 pages in books that start with the same letter (no articles), teams decide letter.
My vote: T or S

- Read 6 books with a specific item on the cover, team selects item.
Ariel’s vote: Maybe a vehicle?

- Each teammate reads a book that the teammate after them alphabetically has rated 5 stars. No pass for this task.
Ariel picks from Carmen.
Carmen picks from Christene.
Christene picks from Shandrea.
Shandrea picks from Ariel.

- Read 6 books that have the same romance trope, teams decide which trope.
Ariel’s vote: Enemies to lovers or Second Chance romance.

- Each teammate reads a different book from the same series.
Any suggestions?
My vote: https://www.goodreads.com/series/3799...

- Pick a category from the current RRRC Monthly Challenge and read 6 books for that category. Reader's Choice is exempt from this task.

- Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which.
Ariel’s vote: car
- Each member reads a book published in sequential months, i.e. June, July, August and September 2019. Teams decide which months. No pass for this task.
Ariel’s vote: I think it’s best to go recent. January, February, March, and April 2024 or September, October, November, December 2023.

- Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages. For example, teammates were born in 75, 83, 87 and 94 - each teammate reads a book at least 339 pages long. No pass for this task.
Ariel’s: 95

- Read over 1500 pages in books set in the future or the past - teams decide.
Ariel’s Vote: Past

- As a team, pick a Romance List from GR Listopia with less than 100 books on it, each teammate reads a book from that list. No pass for this task.
My vote: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

- As a team, select an animal. Read 8 books tagged with that animal.
Ariel’s thoughts: I don’t even know. LOL

- Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which.
Ariel’s Vote: Moon

- Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them.
Ariel’s 5:
First to Die by James Patterson (mystery/thriller)
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Vanishing Girls by Lisa Regan
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
The Last Chance Matinee by Mariah Stewart

- Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.
Who are some of your favorite authors? Books? Etc?

- Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.
Series suggestions?

- Read a book recommended to you by a teammate - no pass for this task.
Recommendations:
Ariel

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎

Shandrea


- Read over 750 pages in books about the same profession, teams decide which profession.
Any profession requests?
Christene: easy would be detective, doctor??

- Each teammate reads a book published in the same month and year, teams decide. No pass for this task.
Any preferences?

- Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location.
Location recommendations?

- Each teammate reads a different book by the same author, no pass for this task.
Any author requests?

- Each teammate reads a book set in one of your teammates' home town (born in, raised in, currently live in - all work), teams decide. No pass for this task.
Hometown?
Mine could be used as Fort Myers, Sanibel, or Lakeland, Florida.
Christene: Philippines

- Read 6 books set on a beach or in the mountains, teams decide which.
My vote is beach.
Christene: beach

- Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide country.
Any suggestions?
Christene: UK?

- As a team, pick a list with over 100 romance books on it, each member reads a book from that list. No pass for this task.
Everyone should pick a list then we choose from those four.
Ariel’s suggestion: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Christene: I'm good with any

- Read 6 books published in the year one of the teammates joined RRRC, teams decide which teammate.
Ariel’s: 2013
Christene: 2023

- Read 6 books not set on a continent of a teammate. Space does not count - must be a real continent.
Ariel’s Continent: North America

- Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors.
My vote is for Romantic suspense.

- Read 4 books published in the decade of a teammate's birth, team decides which teammate.
Ariel’s: 1995
Christene: 1995

- Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author.
Any suggestions?

- Read 6 books published in a teammates' birth month, you may not use your own month.
Ariel’s: January
Christene: December

- Read over 1000 pages in books that start with the same letter (no articles), teams decide letter.
My vote: T or S

- Read 6 books with a specific item on the cover, team selects item.
Ariel’s vote: Maybe a vehicle?

- Each teammate reads a book that the teammate after them alphabetically has rated 5 stars. No pass for this task.
Ariel picks from Carmen.
Carmen picks from Christene.
Christene picks from Shandrea.
Shandrea picks from Ariel.

- Read 6 books that have the same romance trope, teams decide which trope.
Ariel’s vote: Enemies to lovers or Second Chance romance.
Christene: Enemies to lovers

- Each teammate reads a different book from the same series.
Any suggestions?
My vote: https://www.goodreads.com/series/3799...
Christene: this looks interesting, I'm good with anything

- Pick a category from the current RRRC Monthly Challenge and read 6 books for that category. Reader's Choice is exempt from this task.

- Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which.
Ariel’s vote: car
Christene: car is a safe choice

- Each member reads a book published in sequential months, i.e. June, July, August and September 2019. Teams decide which months. No pass for this task.
Ariel’s vote: I think it’s best to go recent. January, February, March, and April 2024 or September, October, November, December 2023.
Christene: I'm good with January, February, March, and April 2024

- Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages. For example, teammates were born in 75, 83, 87 and 94 - each teammate reads a book at least 339 pages long. No pass for this task.
Ariel’s: 95
Christene: 1995

- Read over 1500 pages in books set in the future or the past - teams decide.
Ariel’s Vote: Past
Christene: Past

- As a team, pick a Romance List from GR Listopia with less than 100 books on it, each teammate reads a book from that list. No pass for this task.
My vote: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Christene: I'm okay with this one

- As a team, select an animal. Read 8 books tagged with that animal.
Ariel’s thoughts: I don’t even know. LOL
Christene's: i think the easiest would be wolf, cat, and dog?

- Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which.
Ariel’s Vote: Moon
Christene's Vote: moon

- Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them.
Here's my recent fave so far:

Our first task has been posted:

Task 1 - Each teammate reads a book initially published in April of any year OR a book with flowers on the cover - teams decide. No pass for this task.

I vote for the April task but I'd be good with either.

April for me too.

Do we need to do selection and completion post, or completion post alone is good?

Once we decide on a task (either the cover or the April one), I believe we only have to do the completion.

I’m good with April as well

Okay - what year should we choose?

We don’t have to choose the same year. On the Q&A MKat said it can be the same year or different years, or a combination of the two.

The task does say any year. So I’m thinking it just has to me in April

Oooh, thank you for pointing that out! Then yeah, we should go with April. You don't have to post selection unless you want to - only completion posts are required.

Also, I realize we never chose a team name. Did we want one? A couple ideas could be: Booked Beyond Imagination, Rather Be Reading, or The Story Collectors.

My vote goes to Booked Beyond Imagination

Christene Paula✨ wrote: "My vote goes to Booked Beyond Imagination"

I third this! :)

Booked Beyond Imagination sounds good to me as well

I’m working on a book and I’m about 1/4 of the way done. Should be done by tomorrow 👍🏼

Task 1 - Each teammate reads a book initially published in April of any year OR a book with flowers on the cover - - team decided to RAB initially published in April of any year


Advika and the Hollywood Wives by Kirthana Ramisetti
Page: 384
Qualification: First published April 11, 2023
Date Completed: 4/15
Rating/Review: 3 stars
This is a little slow burn for me! It’s a story embracing different genres including women’s fiction, mystery and romance. Diversity representation and feminism vibes blended in appropriately. I understand Advika is broke, soon to be homeless and jobless so she sees him as her savior. But she doesn’t even try to find a job after moving into his house, not saying no to use his Amex card and not rejecting the expensive gifts she’s taken! Advika should have thought twice to make decisions!

Completion Post - Task 1


A Cruel Arrangement by Tijan

Pages - 409
Qualification - Published April 25th, 2023
Rating - 3 stars
Read - 4/16
Review - I almost always rate high when I rate books on Goodreads. So I will probably give this book 4 stars but in reality it is a strong 3. This book has a good storyline but the writing....... the writing is terrible... so cringy. I want to love this book.. but the author's writing style makes me rate this a 3..

How's everyones reading? Happy friday

I’ll post my completion soon.

Completion Post

Task 1 - Each teammate reads a book initially published in April of any year OR a book with flowers on the cover - - team decided to RAB initially published in April of any year
Book: The Husbands
Author : Holly Gramazio
Page: 352
How it qualifies: published April 2, 2024
Date read: 4/19/24
Rated: 4 stars
Review: Not sure what I would do if I had multiple husbands but this was a wild ride and enjoyable story but I wouldn’t know what I would have done or if I would lost my mind. Hahaha

Completion Post

Task 1: Task 1 - Each teammate reads a book initially published in April of any year
Book: The Nanny
Author: Lana Ferguson
Pages: 432
Date Read: 4/18-20
Rated: 4 stars (Rounded up from 3.5)
Qualification: Published on April 11, 2023
Review: Even though the plot was kind of slow, I did think the romance was nice and the spice was spicy. The author did a really good job a making the characters enjoyable from a personality standpoint but my main gripe comes with how much miscommunication there was between the fc and mc that could have solved everything. The highlight of the book for me? Sophie. It was the relationship/banter between Cassie and Sophie and seeing her nanny the little girl.

Ariel wrote: "Completion Post

Task 1: Task 1 - Each teammate reads a book initially published in April of any year
Book: The Nanny
Author: Lana Ferguson
Pages: 432
Date Read: ..."

Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (429). Thanks.

I will get your name updated as soon as I post your next task. 😊

Here is your next task!

Task 2 - 1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.

As a team, select an author. Every teammate reads a book by the selected author. Please include the selected author in your completion posts. Pseudonyms are allowed, but if used please include a link to the author’s page or website showing it is the same as the team selected author. No pass for this task.

Which author are we going to read?

Completion Post: REPOST - CORRECTED

Task 1: Task 1 - Each teammate reads a book initially published in April of any year
Book: The Nanny
Author: Lana Ferguson
Pages: 429
Date Read: 4/18-20
Rated: 4 stars (Rounded up from 3.5)
Qualification: Published on April 11, 2023
Review: Even though the plot was kind of slow, I did think the romance was nice and the spice was spicy. The author did a really good job a making the characters enjoyable from a personality standpoint but my main gripe comes with how much miscommunication there was between the fc and mc that could have solved everything. The highlight of the book for me? Sophie. It was the relationship/banter between Cassie and Sophie and seeing her nanny the little girl.

Okay so does anyone have any authors they want to throw out there?

I notice we all enjoy mystery and romance so maybe a romantic suspense author? Nora Roberts has a lo of books out there - something for everyone. Catherine Coulter is another author or maybe Karen Robards.

I’m good with any of those authors

I can do either of the authors. I have Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts , The Maze by Catherine Coulter and Heartbreaker by Karen Robards

Shandrea & Christene - are any of those authors good with you?

Yea, I haven’t read a Nora Roberts book yet, so I figure now is the best time!

Sure Nora Roberts it is!

Sounds good to me

Perfect! I love Nora Roberts so that'll be fun. <3

I'm just checking in to see how everyone is doing? :) Enjoying our books?

Ariel wrote: "I'm just checking in to see how everyone is doing? :) Enjoying our books?"

I actually am enjoying it :-)

Completion Post
High Noon
Nora Roberts
Pages: 492
Dates Read: 4/27-30
Rated: 4 stars
Qualification: Author is Nora Roberts (chosen by team)
Review:
This was such a good book! I highly recommend it if you love sprinklings of romance with a captivating mystery. I think Roberts wrote a main female character that made you want to root for her by the end of chapter one. Phoebe was someone that had such a likeable strong quality to her and her backstory only made me want her to overcome it all even more. I didn't dislike her love interest, Duncan, but he wasn't on the forefront of my mind as a reader.

The mystery was suspenseful enough to make compelling. I like the twists and turns it gave. I think the ending came a little fast for my liking but I do like that it all made sense in the end - no questions were left unanswered, if that makes sense.

Almost done! :)

Completion Post

Task 2 - 1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task
Book: Shelter in Place
Author : Nora Roberts
Pages: 453
Date Read: 5/2/24
Rated : 4 stars
Review : Whoa not sure how someone can make it mentally when something so terrible happens to people you love and know but these characters made it. Some survivors made the effort to heal and become stronger people but others won’t heal and still angry. The crazy chaos from some crazed person still out there causing pain but there’s still someone who will continue to get the killer.

Completion Post - Task 2


Inheritance by Nora Roberts

Pages - 448
Qualification - Written by Nora Roberts
Rating - 5 stars
Read - 5/3
Review - This book was very intriguing. I loved the idea of the novel and the story line. I will probably read the next book, just to see what happens. There were some things in the book that just didn't sit well with me... It's a haunted mansion and a ghost in the home plays music off an ipad or an iphone randomly to fit the mood or whatever, it was pretty cheesy...