Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Team members

Train Conductor:
★ MountainKat

Travellers:
★ Laila Jane
★ Laura
★ Sexyladi
★ Diane
★ Krissy

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. Team Captain - 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 Around The World in 80 Days, come up with a fun 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 Wednesday 6 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.

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 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.

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

Weeks 1 - 3 Selection Posts

Week 1: 1. Read a book where the author or one of the MCs have their first and last name starting with the same letter.
MountainKat - Felix and the Prince by Lucy Lennox, message #37
Laila Jane - Never Tear Us Apart by Monica Murphy, message #42
Laura - Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane, message #40
SexyLadi - Aran by Serena Simpson, message #38
Diane - Dead in the Water by Pandora Pine, message #36
Krissy - Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton, message #39

Week 2: 3. Read a book with a number.
MountainKat - Secrets in Death by J.D. Robb, message #69
Laila Jane - His Reverie by Monica Murphy, message #62
Laura - For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison, message #65
SexyLadi - Seven Years by Dannika Dark, message #63
Diane - The Altered by Annabelle Jacobs, message #59
Krissy - The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, message #60

Week 3: 12. Read a book with editions available in more than one language.
MountainKat - The Chosen by Thea Harrison, message #79
Laila Jane - Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas, message #87
Laura - Blood Rites by Jim Butcher, message #84
SexyLadi - Managed by Kristen Callihan, message #81
Diane - The Guy with the Suitcase by Chris Ethan, message #77
Krissy - Fool of Main Beach by Tara Lain, message #80

Weeks 1 - 3 Completion Posts

Week 1: 1. Read a book where the author or one of the MCs have their first and last name starting with the same letter.
MountainKat - Completed 3.11.19, message #51
Laila Jane - Completed 3.15.19, message #61
Laura - Completed 3.9.19, message #48
SexyLadi - Completed 3.8.19, message #44
Diane - Completed 3.8.19, message #43
Krissy - Completed 3.10.19, message #50

Week 2: 3. Read a book with a number.
MountainKat - Completed 3.20.19, message #71
Laila Jane - Completed 3.23.19, message #86
Laura - Completed 3.23.19, message #83
SexyLadi - Completed 3.21.19, message #74
Diane - Completed 3.17.19, message #66
Krissy - Completed 3.19.19, message #68

Week 3: 12. Read a book with editions available in more than one language.
MountainKat - Completed 3.26.19, message # 92
Laila Jane - Completed 3.30.19, message #102
Laura - Completed 3.28.19, message #91
SexyLadi - Completed 3.27.19, message #90
Diane - Completed 3.23.19, message #88
Krissy - Completed 3.23.19, message #89

Weeks 4 - 6 Selection Posts

Week 4: 7. Read a book with an animal on the cover.
MountainKat - Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews, message #94
Laila Jane - Wicked Heart by Leisa Rayven, message #107
Laura - Corrigan Fire by Helen Harper, message #101
SexyLadi - Rescued by the Berserker by Lee Savino, message #98
Diane - Abduction by Susi Hawke, message #96
Krissy - Bearfoot and Pregnant by Lilly Taiden, message #100

Week 5: 4. Read a book with a bet in it or where the MC is very wealthy.
MountainKat - Planet Dragos by Thea Harrison, message #123
Laila Jane - Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas, message #127
Laura - Sin & Salvation by K.F. Breene, message #124
SexyLadi - Carlos: A BWWM Spanish Billionaire Romance by Katie Dowe, message #120
Diane - Option 2, Beautiful Dreamer by Christina Lee, message #119
Krissy - Home in Austin by Susi Hawke, message #121

Week 6: 8. Read a book with an MC that is not caucasian.
MountainKat - Option 2, Strong by Kylie Scott, message #136
Laila Jane - To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, message #144
Laura - Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs, message #137
SexyLadi - Updated, One Hit Wonder by Simone Rivers, message #139
Diane - Dirty Desire by Avril Ashton, message #133
Krissy - Where the World Ends by Kade Boehme, message #142

Weeks 4 - 6 Completion Posts

Week 4: 7. Read a book with an animal on the cover.
MountainKat - Completed 4.5.19, message #122
Laila Jane - Completed 4.6.19, message #126
Laura - Completed 4.2.19, message #113
SexyLadi - Completed 4.1.19, message #104
Diane - Completed 4.2.19, message #106
Krissy - Completed 4.1.19, message #103

Week 5: 4. Read a book with a bet in it or where the MC is very wealthy.
MountainKat - Completed 4.6.19, message #129
Laila Jane - Completed 4.13.19, message #143
Laura - Completed 4.8.19, message #131
SexyLadi - Completed 4.7.19, message #130
Diane - Completed 4.6.19, message #125
Krissy - Completed 4.6.19, message #128

Week 6: 8. Read a book with an MC that is not caucasian.
MountainKat - Completed 4.15.19, message #152
Laila Jane - Completed 4.20.19, message #160
Laura - Completed 4.16.19, message #146
SexyLadi - Completed 4.14.19, message #140
Diane - Completed 4.13.19, message #138
Krissy - Completed 4.22.19, message #169

Weeks 7 - 9 Selection Posts

Week 7: 5. Read a book added to your TBR shelf in the last 80 days.
MountainKat - The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn, message #165
Laila Jane - Updated, Pucked by Helena Hunting, message #164
Laura - Honour Bound by Helen Harper, message #156
SexyLadi - Fall by Kristen Callihan, message #157
Diane - The Altered by Annabelle Jacobs, message #154
Krissy - Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan, message #159

Week 8: 8: Read a book with a “servant” as the MC.
MountainKat - The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan, message #186
Laila Jane - Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare, message #188
Laura - Option 2, Holiday in Death by J.D. Robb, message #178
SexyLadi - Daddy Dragon by Sky Winters, message #180
Diane - Angel and the Assassin by Fyn Alexander, message #176
Krissy - Unveiled by Courtney Milan, message #182

Week 9: 15. Read a book where the word 'friend' or 'friends' is included in the GR book's summary/precis.
MountainKat - Wait for You by J. Lynn, message #194
Laila Jane - Villain by Samantha Young, message #207
Laura - Alpha Knows Best by Starla Silver, message #197
SexyLadi - Love My Way by Kate Sterritt, message #193
Diane - Wilde Love by Lucy Lennox, message #192
Krissy - Infamous by Jenny Holiday, message #191

Weeks 7 - 9 Completion Posts

Week 7: 5. Read a book added to your TBR shelf in the last 80 days
MountainKat - Completed 4.24.19, message #173
Laila Jane - Completed 4.30.19, message #187
Laura - Completed 4.22.19, message #170
SexyLadi - Completed 4.25.19, message #174
Diane - Completed 4.20.19, message #158
Krissy - Completed 4.22.19, message #167

Week 8: 8: Read a book with a “servant” as the MC.
MountainKat - Completed 4.30.19, message #189
Laila Jane - Completed 5.12.19, message #224
Laura - Completed 5.3.19, message #196
SexyLadi - Completed 4.29.19, message #184
Diane - Completed 4.27.19, message #179
Krissy - Completed 4.28.19, message #185

Week 9: 15. Read a book where the word 'friend' or 'friends' is included in the GR book's summary/precis.
MountainKat - Completed 5.5.19, message #202
Laila Jane - Completed 5.9.19, message #209
Laura - Completed 5.5.19, message #200
SexyLadi - Completed 5.4.19, message #199
Diane - Completed 5.4.19, message #198
Krissy - Completed 5.4.19, message #201

Weeks 10 - 11 Selection Posts

Week 10: 11. Read a book with two 1s in the publication date. Eg Oct 1, 2017.
MountainKat - Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan, message #216
Laila Jane - Withering Hope by Layla Hagen, message #223
Laura - Updated, Psychic's Spell by Ella Summers, message #228
SexyLadi - Bear Pack's Nanny by Sky Winters, message #213
Diane - A Better Man by Jaime Reese, message #211
Krissy - The Burnt Toast B&B by Heidi Belleau, message #215

Week 11: 6. Read a book involving mistaken identity or working undercover.
MountainKat - Dangerous Ground by Josh Lanyon, message #233
Laila Jane - Come Away with Me by Kristen Proby, message #235
Laura - The Hidden Princess by Cara Coe, message #246
SexyLadi - HARD WIRED: He's an assassin, she's his target. by Chloe Fischer, message #239
Diane - Sins of the Father by Fyn Alexander, message #236
Krissy - Never Let Go by M.L. Rhodes, message #237

Weeks 10 - 11 Completion Posts

Week 10: 11. Read a book with two 1s in the publication date. Eg Oct 1, 2017.
MountainKat - Completed 5.16.19, message #230
Laila Jane - Completed 5.14.19, message #226
Laura - Completed 5.13.19, message #229
SexyLadi - Completed 5.11.19, message #220
Diane - Completed 5.11.19, message #218
Krissy - Completed 5.12.19, message #222

Week 11: 6. Read a book involving mistaken identity or working undercover.
MountainKat - Completed 5.17.19, message #238
Laila Jane -
Laura - Completed 5.18.19, message #249
SexyLadi - Completed 5.17.19, message #241
Diane - Completed 5.18.19, message #245
Krissy - Completed 5.17.19, message #240

Hi Team! Looking forward to playing with you - I'll be back later to introduce myself better. 😊

Hi everyone, since I'm heading out in a few minutes for my grandson's birthday party I thought I would take a minute to tell you a little about me. 😊

I am a reader, wife, mom, grandma and Disney addict - not necessarily in that order! I've been married to my sweetie forever and we have 3 grown kids and three grandkids (and counting). I read a lot - I usually have an audiobook going while I'm doing just about everything. Sitting down to read is harder these days though - hubby works from home and is not a reader so he doesn't understand. It's just easier to listen and pretend to do 'important' things. 😉 And I will take any excuse I can find to go to Disneyland! The last PtP round, I listened to my final week's book during the holiday parade and copied/pasted my selection and completion posts from my phone! Yes, I was obsessed enough with both reading and Disney to take the time to figure out a book for all the options and had the posts with links copied on my phone to make it easy... 🤷🏻‍♀️

I read primarily romance, say 99.9% romance. I have a few genres that I tend to avoid - inspirational and YA for example, but will try just about everything once!

Looking forward to playing with you all!!

And yes, we are taking my grandson to Disney for his birthday! 🤣

And his sister when it is her birthday! I told you I will take any excuse I can find...

I would love to see Disneyland in US, I been to disney Disneyland in France 3 or 4 times and loved it!

I also audio book alot and play gardenscapes, in eve and with house work in day.... I do read real book at night before bed... Can't sleep well without a few chapters... Hubby also doesn't understand, but he likes going out on his boat fishing, which frankly I don't get...

So just turned 32, met my husband when I was 18 when I was on holiday in Greece.. My holiday fling turned into a relocation to greece ,marriage and two amazing boys.....

I am originally from the isle of Wight in the Uk but over between there and cyprus after my parents divorce, I'm back at work part time in sales, I can speak fluent Greek now.

I only realy read paranormal, urban fantasy and romance... Can't read books involving children being hurt.

Can't wait to play with you all xxxx

Hey guys. I’m Diane, I’m 53 years old married to my 74 year old husband for 33 years. We have 2 daughters who are 32 and 28. Grandparents of 2 grandsons who are 10 and 5. I am a mommy of a 12 year old female cat and a 18 year old male cat. I am a huge MM fan especially paranormal. I enjoy PTP and this is my second round. I live in Northeast Ohio and really hate the snow and the cold. I can’t wait to get this started! If anyone needs help, please do not hesitate to ask. Let’s do this!

Hi everyone, I'm Sexyladi from Chicago, I will be 59 on my birthday this month. I have been with my husband since I was 17 we have been together 40 years. We have 3 grown Children 2 boys 1 daughter, 3 grand children 2 girls 9 and 5 months one grandson 5 years old. I love all types of Romance Paranormal, Contemporary, multicultural are some of my favorites. I have been reading books since a child. This is my first time doing PTP challenge so I will probably need help, So Diane, thanks for the offer I will take you up on it.

Hi, team! A couple of familiar names :)

I'm Krissy. I'm a 37 yr old SAHM with 3 kids. G16, G9, and B7. My husband is currently in Germany but I live in Texas. He'll retire from the army after he finishes there.

Since I don't work and am pretty anti-social I have a ton of time to read. Especially when my kids are in school. I read just about everything. Romance is my go to (esp MM & historical) but I still love mystery/thrillers and anything that can make me laugh.

I've played PtP many times before so I'm ready to go!

Just waiting on Laila Jane to check in! I don't think I've played with any of you before, but I'm familiar with everyone from other challenges. 😊

I've played every round of the PtP and been a captain many times, won a few times as well. Let me give you a little insight into how I do things. I am not the type to nag you about finishing or updating. I will post updates just to let everyone know where we stand at any given time, but they aren't meant to make anyone feel guilty! I will try to PM if someone is in danger of missing a deadline, but life sometimes gets in the way. Basically, we are all adults and I'm not anyone's mama - so I will try to keep us all in line, but figure we are a team and will help each other out. And please, if I make a mistake - let me know! As we near the end of the challenge, I might get a little more pushy about things. If we want a chance of winning, we need to be all up to date and ready for the rush at the end!

Anyway, our first task is coming up with a name. The only thing I've thought of so far is 'Eleven Books in Eleven Weeks', but we are team twelve. I'm not attached to using the number in the name, but don't really think we should use eleven... I'll keep thinking.

Hi everyone! I’m currently in Jamaica for a bachelorette party. I’m heading home to Chicago tomorrow though, and I promise to introduce myself then =)

Hi MK, not good with names but E!even books in Eleven Weeks sounds good to me.

Laila Jane wrote: "Hi everyone! I’m currently in Jamaica for a bachelorette party. I’m heading home to Chicago tomorrow though, and I promise to introduce myself then =)"

Wow - great bachelorette party! Have fun, we can wait. 😊

OK, this is really cool - the challenge is 80 days from first call to last call - 6 players/11 theme calls is 66 books.

66 Books in 80 Days

Or some play on that...

Twelve traveling travesties

I never seen movie or read book so I only really know they travel.

But i like

66 Books in 80 Days too

I like "66 Books in 80 Days"!!

Hi again everyone! I’m Laila. I live in the Chicagoland area with my husband and our almost 2-year-old son. I work as a night nurse so most of my posts will either be really early in the morning or late at night, sometimes overnight. I read pretty much anything as long as it’s a romance. But recently I’ve just been into historical and contemporary romances. I can’t remember if I’ve played PTP before. If I have it’s before I had my son. Either way I’m really excited to play this round!

Oh! And I like 66 books in 80 days

66 in 80 works for me too

I guess we have a consensus, I will let Jane know our name!

Is everyone ready for the first call tomorrow?!

I'm beyond ready!

Yes, looking forward to it!

I'm ready!

🤞🏼I should finish the two books I have going today (one audio/one ebook) and be ready to start my book for this week by this evening. I know there is no rush, but I like to get mine done early so I don't get behind. 😊

First theme!!

Week 1

Option 1
1. Read a book where:
* the author or one of the MCs have their first and last name starting with the same letter OR
* the author or one of the MCs have their first and last name phoenetically sound as if they start with the same letter. Eg Phileas Fogg sounds as if his first and last name starts with an F.

Please show HOW this fits in the selection post given there are two options in this category.

Option 2
Book chosen from a team member's shelf that was read on the date below or more recently and rated at least 3 stars.
Key Date: September 7, 2018


Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.

Selection Post

Week # 1: Read a book where:
* the author or one of the MCs have their first and last name starting with the same letter OR
* the author or one of the MCs have their first and last name phoenetically sound as if they start with the same letter. Eg Phileas Fogg sounds as if his first and last name starts with an F.
Bookcover/link: Dead in the Water
Page numbers: 214
How the book qualifies: Pandora Pine

Week 1: Read a book where the author or one of the MCs have their first and last name starting with the same letter.
Selection Post

Felix and the Prince by Lucy Lennox, 320 p. per GR
Author's first and last name begin with 'L'.

Selection Post:
Week 1: book 1
Task: Read a book where the Author or one of the MC's have their first and last name starting with the same letter.

Aran by Serena Simpson
Pages: 161
Qualfications: Author's First and Last Name begin with the letter S.

SELECTION POST

Week: 1 - Read a book where the Author or one of the MC's have their first and last name starting with the same letter
Book Choice: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Page Count: 361
How the book qualifies: Author's initials are C.C.

SELECTION POST

Week: 1 - Read a book where the Author or one of the MC's have their first and last name starting with the same letter
Book Choice: Don't You Forget About Me - Mhairi McFarlane
Page Count: 432 pages
How the book qualifies: Author's initials are M.M.

Thank you for the friend request Laila Jane! I usually do that at the beginning of the challenge with my teammates, but I forgot this time. 🤦🏻‍♀️ It makes it easier to check out shelves for Option 2.

Anyway, I've sent requests to those I wasn't already friends with. 😊

Selection Post

Week #1: Read a book where the author or one of the MCs have their first and last name starting with the same letter
Book: Never Tear Us Apart by Monica Murphy
Page Count: 416
How the book qualifies: Author's initials are M.M.

Completion Post

Week #1
Bookcover/link: Dead in the Water by Pandora Pine
Rating (1-5): 5
Review: Great continuation of this series. This was a hard one as not everyone is in a good place. So we are on Ronan and Tens honeymoon cruise but it’s not all sunshine and sexy times. Carson and Truman are so at odds with each other and it appears that they may not survive. Kevin and Jace are at a crossroads and it’s not looking good for them either. In a way I’m glad I have read the spinoffs so I know what happens in the future. And my poor baby Jude. He has to really stop thinking with “Jude log” :). So on top of Ten and Ronan trying to get Carson and Truman over their hump and working on Kevin and Jace we have horndog Jude hooking up with the captain of the ship no less, we having screaming babies, psychic show/readings, island hopping and of course a dead body. I enjoyed the show that Ten put on and would have really liked to see more of that. His connecting with the dead love ones is my favorite part. So on the last night of the cruise, the crew is going to put on a murder mystery. But what they don’t realize is the man that is playing the part of the dead guy isn’t playing. So now we have a real murder investigation. I figured out the killer pretty quickly, but not the reason why. I just had a feeling about them when we first meet that person. But in the end the killer is caught and everyone, with the exception of Kevin and Jace, are in a good place. I hope these series are around for a very long time.

Completion Post: Week 1 Book 1

Aran by Serena Simpson
Date Completed: 03/08/19
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Review: Aran and his brothers were created for protecting the planet they came from. Mixed with Animal like Aliens they were the ultimate weapon. When the wars were over and they traveled to earth to find compatible females . Rena is smart, sexy afro American techies. She stumbles onto a conspiracy that threatens her life and that of her mates and his brothers. The storyline was filled with hot sizzling sex, drama, intrigue and a one in a lifetime love. Definitely recommend this series.

Selection Post:
Week 1: book 2
Task: Read a book where the Author or one of the MC's have their first and last name starting with the same letter.

Niko by Serena Simpson
Pages: 169
Qualfications: Author's First and Last Name begin with the letter S.
Published: April 22, 2015

Sexyladi, you only have to read one book each week

Oh, I thought it was two, sorry.😀

Completion Post: Week 1


Don't You Forget About Me - Mhairi McFarlane
Date Completed: 03/09/19
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Review:
I both Loved and hated this book, i loved the story itself and the perception we give ourselves rather that the reflection we get from others. But for a light hearted book there was so much psycho analogy you would think everyone in the book was a trained shrink, paired with such superfluous words i thought i would need a dictionary, which in alot of novels is acceptable but in chick lit i just want a nice easy read.... Saying that i loved the English humor... It had a bit of the Bridget Jones feel to it.

Thank you Krissy - I was away yesterday and just catching up. 😊

Yes, just one book per week for this challenge. I will update our tracking over the weekend. Remember we have some extra time to read this week since we had the early (Wednesday) call.

COMPLETION POST


Week 1

Next Year in Havana
-3/10 ★★★
-Normally I wouldn't pick up a book that is based around politics unless it's a suspense/thriller. But I needed to read this for a different challenge and it fit this week's theme so I went with it. I enjoyed it about as much as I expected I would. I liked the romance between Elisa and Pablo much more than the one between Marisol and Luis. In fact I enjoyed Elisa's entire story more. Marisol's insta-love story was ridiculous. And I really don't see that ending HEA especially when (view spoiler)[Luis was forced to leave his country. He had no choice but you could really feel that he did not want to go (hide spoiler)]. The "big secrets" weren't so shocking. I could see them coming from space. BUT I am now more informed about the Cuban Revolution than I was before I picked up this book. So that's a plus.