Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Team Members

Baton (Captain)
🍞Julie

Starters
🥨Jessica
🥨Amanda
🥨Danielle
🥨KatW

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. Baton (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, 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 3 October

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, particularly when the request is more than a day old. Its difficult to find older posts when going backwards in the threads.

🧇🍞Sourdough Theme🢄🥨

Potential Theme List

Our Team's READ SHELVES For Option 2

Julie: /review/list...
Amanda: /review/list...
Jessica: /review/list...
Danielle: /review/list...
KatW :/review/list...

Themes, Selection & Completion Posts

Week 1: #15. Home cooking at its best - Read a book from one of the "Home" lists:
Selection - All team
Completion - All team

Week 2: #1. Sourdough originated in Egypt and spread through Europe - Read a book set in Africa or Europe:
Selection - All team
Completion - All team

Week 3: #9. After mixing, let it rise - Read a book from a popular new author. Their first published book must be from the year 2020 or later:
Selection - All team
Completion - All team

Week 4: #17. Eat it straight away or freeze for another day - Read a book from one of the "Holidays" lists.
Selection - All team
Completion - All team

Week 5: #2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC - Read a book with MPG historical.
Selection - All Team
Completion - All Team

Week 6:#11. Its not ready until there are bubbles through the dough - Read a book with the title or series name starting with the letter 'B'.
Selection - All Team
Completion - All Team

Week 7: #6. Including the starter, sourdough is made of only 3 ingredients - flour, water & salt. Read a book with a title comprised of 3 words.
Selection - All team
Completion -All team

Week 8: #13. When shaping, the dough is often referred to as either a 'boule' or 'baton'. Read a romance featuring a sporty MC or a law enforcement MC.
Selection - All team
Completion - All team

Week 9: #5. A sourdough starter is a live fermented culture of fresh flour and water. Read a book that has been 'fermenting' on your bookshelf for at least 12 months. (Added to your shelves at least 12 months ago.)
Selection - All team
Completion - All team

Week 10: #10. Patience is required. Read a book from one of the "Can't Wait" lists.
Selection - All team
Completion - All team

Week 11: 14. Bake at 450F (or 230C). Read a book with an avg GR rating of at least 4.3 stars.
Selection - Julie, KatW, Amanda
Completion - Amanda, Julie

Hi all. I'm Julie & I'm looking forward to playing as your Captain for this round of Pass The Parcel. I'm on GR every day so don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or issues.

I live on the sunny east coast of Australia with my husband, 3 teens & the laziest Red Heeler you will ever meet.

I read every day to keep me same in a house full of gamers and I love romance books of all flavours and tropes - fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary are my favourites genres.

I love Knead To Read for our team name, as suggested by Amanda below, but happy to pick something else too.

Hi Team!

My name's Amanda, I'm from Michigan, live with my husband, our 13 month old, and two beagle pups. I mostly read MM and read A LOT. I've played a couple times but it's been a round or two!

Here's some team name ideas
-Knead to Read (my favorite)
-Breadtime Stories
-Sourdough Sweethearts

Hello Team!

I'm Jessica, I live in England with my husband and two young children. I only read MM though will branch out if a challenge requires it.

I'm very new to this group and this challenge so may need some guidance but super excited to get going.

Team name - I love all Amanda's suggestions ^_^

Amanda, I'm glad to be on another team with you. I think I've read some of your books on the turf wars lists. 😊

Hi Team! I'm Danielle, from the Toronto area in Canada so EST for a timezone. Umm...no kids lol. I read both MM and MF, historical, present-day, fantasy, sci-fi, you name it I'll read it as long as it has a romance storyline somewhere.

I have a pretty busy week so I most likely won't be back until the challenge starts - I'm good with any team name.

So our previous team suggestion had been snapped up by another team. Here are Amanda's suggestions and a few more I could find:

Breadtime Stories
Sourdough Sweethearts
Sour Bookworms
Knead Reads
Rise & Read
Fermenting Fables
Sourdough Sagas
Proving Pages

My top 3 would be:
1. Breadtime Stories
2. Fermenting Fables
3. Sourdough Sagas

Jessica wrote: "Amanda, I'm glad to be on another team with you. I think I've read some of your books on the turf wars lists. 😊"

I’m excited too! This challenge is always better if there’s someone who reads similar books

Hi Team,

I'm Kat from Queensland, Australia. I'm an empty nester living with my husband, a Labrador and 5 chooks. I read historical and fantasy alongside contemporary romances.

I haven't been on 카지노싸이트 for a while but I'm trying to get back into tracking my reading.

Team name - I like Sourdough Sagas and Rise & Read

😂 I had to google what a chook was. I thought maybe it was a breed of dog.

Jessica wrote: "😂 I had to google what a chook was. I thought maybe it was a breed of dog."

Whoops, perhaps I should have said hens. 🐓
Chickens to me are baby chooks

Jessica wrote: "😂 I had to google what a chook was. I thought maybe it was a breed of dog."

It is nice to have another Aussie here - I didn't even realise "chook" wasn't a thing elsewhere. 😂

Well, seeing as we have two votes for Sourdough Sagas I will let Jane know that's our final decision, okay with everyone??

I'm happy with Sourdough Sagas 😊

Nope, here in England they're chickens if your common and hens if your posh.

Hi Team!! With our name picked, we are on the final countdown to our first theme call announced Friday 4 October between 4-6pm US EST.

Things to keep in mind I’ll be checking since most of us haven’t played in a while/ never before:

Each week, if you choose …
* Option 1: 11 themes will be picked during the challenge out of 17 options, and each is only chosen ONCE - see for the list of possible themes in Message #4 of this thread. If the theme includes GR lists - you must pick something from one of the lists.
* Option 2: Our team’s READ SHELVES for options are in Message 5 of this thread - the book must be at least rated by a team mate ⭐⭐⭐ or more AND read in the last 6 months.
* Option 3: Each team member can only select to “pass” ONCE in weeks #1-5 and ONCE in weeks #6-10. Each team may only have ONE person 'passing' for the round each week. No-one can use the pass in week 11. So please advise on this team thread early in the week, in consideration of your team mates.

Also:
* You only need to read ONE book each week.
* 100 pages minimum count for each book
* Your choice of book must be a novel but doesn’t have to be a romance.
* You can DNF your chosen book if more than 50% read
* Please use the format in Message 3 of this thread for your selection & completion posts to make sure you don’t forget to include anything - for options 1, 2 OR 3.
* A review of your book is required with each completion post - it doesn’t have to be long, just a sentence or two.
* Please start a new post for any changes requested instead of editing an existing post (which is harder to keep track of).
* If you you fail to read a book two weeks in a row you will be eliminated from the completion. Life happens so please don’t hesitate to let Jane or I know if there is an issue.

Looking forward to reading & finding some great recommendations with you all. 😊

Our first theme is here!

Week 1

Option 1
15. Home cooking at its best
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Romances With Home in the Title
Best Return Home Books
Coming Home to Roost
Prodigal Returns
MM Romance based in Australia ('cos that's my home ;)

Books must be selected from one of the lists above. Please state the list in your selection post.

Option 2
Key date: 5. April 2024
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 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.

Selection Post: Week 1

Fix Her Up

Page numbers: 397pgs, kindle edition
How the book qualifies: #48 of Coming Home to Roost List

🥐

Selection Post: Week 1

A Marvellous Light
Page numbers: 377
Read by Amanda, rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 29/09/2024

Selection Post - Week 1 - Option 2


Sweep of the Blade

Pages: 311, Kindle Edition

How it qualifies: Read by Julie, Jul 19, 2024 - Rated 5 stars

Selection Post
Week # 1, Option 2

Book: To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders
Pages: 313
How it fits: /review/show...
Team Member: Jessica
Their Read Date: May 17, 2024
Their Rating: 4

Selection Post
Week #1, Option 1

Beauty and the Mustache

Pages: 372
How it qualifies: #8 Coming Home to Roost List

🥐

COMPLETION POST - Week #1

Fix Her Up
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
I was intrigued how Tessa Bailey could make a a professional clown a decent love interest for a professional baseball player. She pulled off a fun, spicy read with a believable connection between Travis and Georgie. All that was missing was the "years later" epilogue from Travis' perspective.

🥐

Completion Post - Week 1 - Option 2


Sweep of the Blade

Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I read book 3 almost 4 years ago so it took me a minute to figure out who the characters were. The first 2 chapters do a good job of recapping the already existing romance between Maud and Arland. Although I didn't truly understand Maud's reluctance to the match I still enjoyed the story. Won't wait so long to read the next one!

🍒

Completion Post
Week #1, Option 2
Book:
To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders
Date Completed: 10/9
Rating: 4
Review: Okay, okay I get the hype. These two were just so sweet and I loved the pining slow burn of it all.

Amanda wrote: "
Completion Post

Week #1, Option 2
Book: ..."

I've wavered over whether this pretty covered book was worth reading but I've added it to my TBR based on your review Amanda. Thanks!

Jessica & KatW - How are you going with your selected read?

Im halfway through mine but will have it finished and posted today. I'm loving it so far.

Amanda wrote: "
Completion Post

Week #1, Option 2
Book:
To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders
Date Completed: 10/9
Rating: 4
Review: ..."

Im not a fan of friends to lovers but gave this 4 stars in respect of the brilliant writing.

Completion Post: Week 1

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
Date completed: 10/10
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: This book is about magic but felt so believable. I was so gripped by the story beginning to end. I loved Edwin and Robert together but also loved them each as individuals. I don't usually read FF but think I'll make an exception for this series.

Completion Post: Week #1, Option 1

Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid

Date completed: 11 October
Rating: 5
Review: This is my first time reading a book by Penny Reid. I loved this book so much I'm about to purchase everything she has published. Ashley comes home to care for her mother and meets Drew under hilarious circumstances. Read it now if you haven't already.

Week 2

Option 1
1. Sourdough originated in Egypt and spread through Europe
* Read a book set in Africa or Europe.

Books set in the UK, Ireland, Greenland and other similar islands work. Egypt has a foot in both Africa and Asia therefore books set in Egypt will also qualify.


If you aren't sure how to insert links in your posts, please read these instructions in the Q&A thread:
/topic/show/...


Option 2
Key date: 12 April 2024
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 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options

Week 2: Option 1

The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastian
Page numbers 336
How the book qualifies - /list/show/2...

SELECTION POST - Week #2

Dark Whispers
Page numbers: 274, Kindle edition
How the book qualifies: Set in Europe (UK)
From Precis: The Supernatural Summit is about to start at the DeVane Hotel in London.

Selection Post - Week #2, Option 1

Yours Until Dawn

Page numbers: 384
How the book qualifies: Set in Europe (UK)
From Precis: the man who once walked like a prince among London's elite secludes himself in his family's mansion

Selection Post
Week #: 1, Option 1
Book:
Becoming Ted by Matt Cain
Pages: 416
How it fits: MPG Setting England

Completion Post
Week #: 1, Option 1
Book:
Becoming Ted by Matt Cain
Date Completed: 10/12
Rating: 4
Review: Oh I adored this! It started out absolutely breaking my heart (poor poor Ted), but by the end it was just such a lovely tale of being true to yourself. I do think Ted's parents really sucked and could've had more of a tearing down from Ted, but that probably wouldn't be realistic to who he is! It's a great tale of becoming who you are no matter what age you are! Plus a sweet romance too!

Completion Post - Week #2, Option 1


Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros

Date completed: October 13
Rating: 4
Review: The first part of the book was wonderful. Samantha is hired to nurse blind and scarred Gabriel who angrily resists her initial attempts to help him. There is a big plot twist in the last 30% which... bothered me in 2 major ways. 4 stars for the first 80%.

Selection Post - Week 2 - Option 1


Manners and Monsters

Pages: 320 pages
How it fits: Mysteries set in England - Book #12

Completion Post - Week 2 - option 1


Manners and Monsters

Date completed: Oct 14
Review:
3.5 stars

It's a cozy little murder mystery, but there is a lot of self-loathing in this and I really didn't like the way Hannah's mom seemed to brush her off when she expressed her loneliness. Still, the mystery is decent, the characters are very YA, and I didn't mind it at all.

Week 2 Completion post: Option 1

The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastian
Page numbers 336
How the book qualifies - /list/show/2...
Read: 14/10/24
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Review: A poor criminal on the run and a rich lord/inventor expecting to follow his father and brother into madness. What I loved about this book is where Cat could have been predictable or tropey, she goes the other way. Lawrence's love and acceptance of Georgie was so beautiful. We all need a Lawrence.

COMPLETION POST - WEEK 2

Dark Whispers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review:
A murder threatens to disrupt the first Supe Summit in London, and it's up to DC Emma Bellamy to solve the case before anti supernatural sentiment takes over the city. Not my favourite, but another good paranormal mystery in the Firebrand series.

Week 3

Option 1
9. After mixing, let it rise
* Read a book from a popular new author. Their first published book must be from the year 2020 or later.
Please note their first published book , along with its date of publication, in your qualification. You do not need to note how/why they are popular.


Option 2
Key date: 19 April 2024
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 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.