Historical Romance Book Club discussion

This challenge is meant to help you climb your TBR Mountain and get those books finally read.

This will be a quarterly challenge, with a new theme each quarter. For Quarter 2 2022 the theme will be short and long!

Why short and long? No reason really, other than it is a good way to read those titles you chose because they were ridiculously long or a book because it has been on your TBR for such a long time. It can be a book with a long title or book with a very short title. It can be a book title or author with the words long, short, big, small, tiny enormous etc. It can be the book that has been on your TBR for the shortest time or the longest time. It is really up to you - there are no rules.....Have fun!

This is flexible and the purpose is to get some books moved from TBR to Read shelf, so have has much fun with this theme as you want:

HOW IT WORKS:
1) The first poster will post 5 book titles that they pick from their TBR shelf.

2) The next poster will choose 2 books from the first poster's titles and choose 5 book titles off their own TBR. The first poster will then choose to read at least 1 of the 2 books chosen.

3) The third poster will choose 2 from the second posters list .... and so on.

4) Each participant will have the entire quarter to read their book(s), post their rating and review. And tell us what you think of your book in this thread.

5) You are not limited to 1 time. You can return to select and post more options as often as it suits you.

...OK I will start this one. I choose

A Hellion in Her Bed by Sabrina Jeffries - because it has been on my TBR for a long time

A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl - for the word 'little'

Bliss by Judy Cuevas - for the shortest title in my TBR

The Absolutely Positively Worst Man in England, Scotland and Wales by Anne Stuart - for the ridiculously long title

The Mutinous Contemplations of Gemma Groot by Jayne Fresina - because I could not go past it with its long words and title

Susan wrote: "...OK I will start this one. I choose

A Hellion in Her Bed by Sabrina Jeffries - because it has been on my TBR for a long time

A Little Bit Wild by [a..."

Susan, I choose for you:

The mutinous contemplations of Gemma Groot and Bliss (do you have a copy of it?)

For my 5:

[book:The Chief|6620670] by Monica McCarty - longest on my TBR by a new to me author

Kit by A.S. Harrington - short title

A Bit of Rough by Jackie Barbosa - bit is sort a synonym for short

The Lady Travelers Guide to Happily Ever After by Victoria Alexander - long title

A Dangerous Kind of Lady by Mia Vincy - “long” for part of Longhope series

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Susan wrote: "...OK I will start this one. I choose

I'm excited to choose for you, Joanna. Here you go:

1) A Dangerous Kind of Lady by Mia Vincy - My favorite of Vincy's releases, so far. I hope you enjoy it.
2) The Chief by Monica McCarty

My choices for this quarter are:


The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran - Longest on tbr

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig - Longer title and longer than average page count

The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe - Shortest time spent on my tbr

Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt - Part of a long series

The Mad Earl's Bride by Loretta Chase - Shorter story/novella

T., for you I will choose two books that are also on my TBR: The Duke of Shadows (which if you read this month, counts as Around the World) and The Mad Earl's Bride. Hope you enjoy!


My own choices this time around are:

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas - heroine is short, hero is tall

My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid - has been on my TBR the longest

Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros - a short amount of time

A Dare too Far by Charlie Lane - far is a long ways away

A Match Made in Duty by Meara Platt - novella (shorter read)

Hi Darbella,
For you I choose: Gemma Groot, because I’m currently reading and enjoying another book by this author, The Bounce in the Captain's Boots. (This was from last quarter’s challenge and I started it just last week LOL.) I like Jayne Fresina, but I haven't read Gemma Groot so I'll be interested to see how you find it.

My second choice for you is As You Desire, because it’s on my tbr as well and it sounds interesting.

I've been doing lots of rereads this year too, but these five here are all ones I haven't read yet:

My five:

As You Desire by Connie Brockway, because it was written a long time ago (1997)

How to Find a Duke in Ten Days by Grace Burrowes et al. It’s got three novellas (so short).

A Touch of Forever by Jo Goodman. Has been on my tbr for a long time.

Fair, Bright, and Terrible by Elizabeth Kingston. I read the first book a long time ago and have never gotten around to reading this one.

The Fortune Hunter by Diane Farr because it’s on the longer side for a HR.

Jan - I will keep an eye on this post, and if no-one replies in a few days I will choose a couple for you.

Hi Jan- I choose As you Desire and How to find a Duke in ten days for you. Enjoy your reads.

My five:

Desert Ecstasy by Connie Mason. Long novel, published a long time ago, in my TBR for a short time, short title

The secret passion of simon Blackwell by Samantha James. Long title

The matchmaker and the marquess by Scarlett Scott. Long title but a short story, a novella

The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys. Long novel, published a long time ago

Splendor by Brenda Joyce. Short title, published a long time ago

Padma wrote: "Hi Jan- I choose As you Desire and How to find a Duke in ten days for you. Enjoy your reads."

Thanks Padma :)

My pick for Padma is
The secret passion of Simon Blackwell
Silver Devil

1 Sylvester by Georgette Heyers
Had for a short time
2 Once a Hero by Kathrine Sutcliffe
Printed a long time ago 1994
3 At the Kings Command by Susan Wiggs
Had for a long time
4 Confessions from an Arranged Marriage by Miranda Neville
Long title
5 Affair by Amanda Quick
Short title

Thanks Shaz 🙂

hi Shaz. If no-one else picks for you in the next day I will.

T. wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Susan wrote: "...OK I will start this one. I choose

I'm excited to choose for you, Joanna. Here you go:

1) A Dangerous Kind of Lady by Mia Vincy - My ..."

That you T!

Okay thanks Susan.

Padma wrote: "Hi Jan- I choose As you Desire and How to find a Duke in ten days for you. Enjoy your reads."

Hi Padma,
I went to start How to Find a Duke in Ten Days, but it's no longer available on kindle. Ha ha ha. It's been on my tbr so long it's not even available now. LOL. I think Grace Burrowes has been reorganising and republishing some of her novellas in different collections with different titles :(

So can you please choose another one from my list?
Thanks, Jan

jenny867 wrote: "T., for you I will choose two books that are also on my TBR: The Duke of Shadows (which if you read this month, counts as Around the World) and The Mad Earl's Bride. ..."

Thanks, Jenny. I'm excited to finally read the oft-loved, The Duke of Shadows.

T. wrote: "jenny867 wrote: "T., for you I will choose two books that are also on my TBR: The Duke of Shadows (which if you read this month, counts as Around the World) and [book:The Mad Earl's ..."

Ahem, if you need a partner. 💞

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "T. wrote: "jenny867 wrote: "T., for you I will choose two books that are also on my TBR: The Duke of Shadows (which if you read this month, counts as Around the World) and [book:The ..."

Absolutely. I’d love having a second reason to read it in a timely manner. I also need another must-read HR author after finishing Pennyroyal. I’m experiencing a bit of series hangover. How do you move on from a series like that?🥺

T. wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "T. wrote: "jenny867 wrote: "T., for you I will choose two books that are also on my TBR: The Duke of Shadows (which if you read this month, counts as Around t..."

You promise to reread it. And there are others!! Will this be your first Duran? Cause....that is a loosely connected series too. ;)

BUT YOOOOO you haven't read Brothers Sinister!

Just me, adding more...perhaps a paranormal histrom like...Kristen Callihan's Darkest London....
You have lots of places to go!

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "T. wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "T. wrote: "jenny867 wrote: "T., for you I will choose two books that are also on my TBR: The Duke of Shadows (which if you read this month, counts ..."

This will be my first Duran. Is there something I should read first? Off to investigate.

Also, no Brothers Sinister - maybe that should be the next series I tackle over the next 18 months. Lol. No Callihan, either - mostly because I assumed by the book covers that they were shifter/vampire-type books. Am I completely off-base? I just read the blurbs to the first two books and they're pretty vague. I'm okay with some light PNR, but the creepier they get, the more sensitive I am. aka fraidy-cat.

Shaz wrote: "My pick for Padma is
The secret passion of Simon Blackwell
Silver Devil

1 Sylvester by Georgette Heyers
Had for a short time
2 Once a Hero by Kathrine Sutcliffe
Printed a long time ago 1994
3 A..."

Hi Shaz
As it has been a few days since you posted I will pick two books for you:
Sylvester by Georgette Heyer, and
Confessions from an Arranged Marriage by Miranda Neville

Thanks Susan.
I will now read Sylvester, for my next read .

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Ahem, if you need a partner."

If you need two partners..! I’ve never done a buddy read before. 😁

jenny867 wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Ahem, if you need a partner."

If you need two partners..! I’ve never done a buddy read before. 😁"

It’s a really good one to buddy read, I think.

Book 1 read. Not a bad read . Liked the humour and the couple.

Jan wrote: "Padma wrote: "Hi Jan- I choose As you Desire and How to find a Duke in ten days for you. Enjoy your reads."

Hi Padma,
I went to start How to Find a Duke in Ten Days, but it's no longer available o..."

Jan wrote: "Padma wrote: "Hi Jan- I choose As you Desire and How to find a Duke in ten days for you. Enjoy your reads."

Hi Padma,
I went to start How to Find a Duke in Ten Days, but it's no longer available o..."

Hi Jan
Sorry for the delayed response. Past week has been very hectic.

Oh..sorry to hear about the non availability of the novel.
I pick The Fortune Hunter for you. Enjoy

Padma wrote: "Hi Jan
Sorry for the delayed response. Past week has been very hectic.

Oh..sorry to hear about the non availability of the novel.
I pick The Fortune Hunter for you. Enjoy"

No worries. Hope this week is less busy for you. Thanks for the pick. It's an author I haven't tried before, so we'll see :)

My Choices are:

1) Time Will Tell by Sandy Loyd: Time can be long or short

2) Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas: Twilight only lasts a short time

3) Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath: Has been on this year's TBR the longest

4) A Scot Mess by Caroline Lee: Short Title

5) Scot on Her Trail by Caroline Lee: Second book in the longest series on my TBR

It looks like I'll need to wait until someone else chimes in to pick two from their list

Tanya wrote: "My Choices are:

1) Time Will Tell by Sandy Loyd: Time can be long or short

2) Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas: Twilight only la..."

Hi Tanya!

From your list, I pick Tempt me at Twilight and A Scot Mess.

I'm already doing the challenge but I've finished one of my books so I don't mind adding another two to my list if you'll pick for me. :D

My choices all have relatively long titles:

Seduced by Her Rebel Warrior by Greta Gilbert

The Trouble with His Lordship's Trousers by Jayne Fresina

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian

The Virgin Who Vindicated Lord Darlington by Anna Bradley

The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane by Elizabeth Boyle

jenny867 wrote: "Tanya wrote: "My Choices are:

1) Time Will Tell by Sandy Loyd: Time can be long or short

2) Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas: Tw..."

Hi Jenny
As it has been about a week, I will choose for you:
- the Trouble with His Lordships Trousers - Jayne Fresina
- the Virgin who Vindicated Lord Darlington - Anna Bradley

Darbella wrote: "Finished again= As You Desire. As usual 5 stars from me. I just love this one. It is 1890 and set in Egypt. Desire is sort of a device in this story. So many desires. In a way this s..."

You have me intrigued...another book to add to the TBR

Susan wrote: "jenny867 wrote: "Tanya wrote: "My Choices are:

1) Time Will Tell by Sandy Loyd: Time can be long or short

2) Tempt Me at Twilight by [author:Lisa K..."

Thanks!

Perfect timing too as I just finished the second of the two books given to me the first time around. :)

I enjoyed both Yours Until Dawn and Mine Till Morning (and I didn't realize until afterwards how well the titles pair up. lol)

I finished one of my books for this quarter. Another one off my tbr - yay! It was The Fortune Hunter by Diane Farr. 3 OK stars.

Finished both my books The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell
The Silver Devil
Both were good reads

Padma wrote: "Finished both my books The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell
The Silver Devil
Both were good reads"

Well done Padma.

Well done Padma. I still have one to read.

Thanks Jan & Shaz :)

Tanya wrote: "My Choices are:

1) Time Will Tell by Sandy Loyd: Time can be long or short

2) Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas: Twilight only la..."

Susan wrote: "Darbella wrote: "Finished again= As You Desire. As usual 5 stars from me. I just love this one. It is 1890 and set in Egypt. Desire is sort of a device in this story. So many desires..."

Jenny/Susan,

My apologies that its been sooo long since I posted to the group. I see that I missed out on Jenny's selections. I have to say that its going to be pretty hectic for me to meet this quarter's goals as I will begin studying for my state's Bar Exam next week. Bar Prep study will run right up until the exam (Jul 26 and 27) and it's pretty intense. I'm actually moving to an RV park for the duration in order to fully focus. Wish me luck/Send up prayers for me!

I finished one of my quarterly books and expect to finish the second next month, prior to quarter three. I’m having to fit them around all the due dates of my library loans. Lol.

4.5 Stars - I thought this was a very well developed story for a novella.

I am now reading book 2 .
Confessions from an Arranged Marriage
It's started off okay . Love Hate relationship, forces Marriage l

I finished my second book last week:

Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran

LOVED IT!! 5-Stars.

Tanya wrote: "Tanya wrote: "My Choices are:

1) Time Will Tell by Sandy Loyd: Time can be long or short

2) Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas: Tw..."

Best of luck to you Tanya!

T. wrote: "I finished my second book last week:

Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran

LOVED IT!! 5-Stars."

Awesome! I love that book too 😊

Good luck with your bar exams, Tanya.

T, I enjoyed Duke of Shadows too. Read it a few years ago - my first by that author. I might reread it sometime.

I have read one of my challenge books (The Fortune Hunter). Must get onto the other one - As You Desire.

Can I still join this one?If so,how?

New one starts in beginning of July and we have 3 months to complete the reads .
Normally have a different theme each quarter, for picking the books.

Hope this helps.

Shaz wrote: "New one starts in beginning of July and we have 3 months to complete the reads .
Normally have a different theme each quarter, for picking the books.

Hope this helps."

Thank you!

Amy wrote: "Can I still join this one?If so,how?"

I can pick books for you if you want to join. We will be starting a new one in July, as Shaz noted so you can also join at that time.

Thank you Joanna!I would like that.I choose 5 from my TBR and then I post them here?

Amy wrote: "Thank you Joanna!I would like that.I choose 5 from my TBR and then I post them here?"

Yes, that’s it. the theme is short and long.