Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 2018

hosted by Andi at Andi's ABC

• Runs January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018 (books read prior to 1/1/2018 do not count towards the challenge). You can join anytime you want, though the sign up linky will close Nov. 15, 2018. 
  
• The goal is to read as many Contemporary Romance books as you’d like. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down. Remember, the idea is to challenge yourself.
• Books that qualify for this challenge can be young adult, new adult, or adult. Books can be M/F, M/M, or F/F. Books must be a work of fiction (sorry, nonfiction does not qualify for this challenge).
• Romances with the following elements do not qualify for this reading challenge: paranormal, historical, time-travel, fantasy, science fiction, or mystery/suspense/thriller.
• Books can be any format (print, ebook, audio).
• Novellas that are 100 pages in length (give or take), as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• Use the hashtag #ContRom2018 when posting your reviews/updates/re-caps/monthly topics on social media.
• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, LibraryThing, BookLikes, etc., so as long as you have a dedicated shelf for the 2018 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge (your designated “update post” for the monthly link up) and your profile is not private. The point of linking up is to have a place where people can see what you’re reading.

Levels:

• 1st Base: read 1 – 5 books
• 2nd Base: read 6 – 10 books
• 3rd Base: read 11 – 15 books
• Home Run: read 16 – 20 books
• Grand Slam: read 21+ books (My goal)

Cover Reveal : Under a Storm-Swept Sky by Beth Anne Miller

About the book:

An eighty-mile trek across the rugged, stunning beauty of Scotland’s Isle of Skye isn't something I imagined myself doing. Ever. This isn't a trail for beginners. And I'm not a hiker. 

But I have to finish it, even if it kills me. I have no choice.

With the ever-changing weather and relentless terrain, I’m in over my head.

Rory Sutherland, my guide on this adventure, is not happy. We clash with every mile, but we recognize a shared pain. Not only is the journey a struggle, but the tension between us is taut with unsaid words. And hope.

He’s broken. I’m damaged. Together, we’re about to make the perfect storm. 

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39318829-under-a-storm-swept-sky

Praise for Under a Storm-Swept Sky:

“Beth Anne Miller hits it out of the park with Under a Storm-Swept Sky. Beautifully evocative and romantic, you feel as if you are right there with Rory and Amelia as they hike the treacherous countryside of Skye on a journey of discovery and love.” – Monica McCarty, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Going Dark

"Beautifully evocative and romantic." - NYT bestseller, Monica McCarty

"It's impossible not to get swept away by this heart-pounding read.” —Kelly Siskind, author of Stud

About Beth Anne Miller:

Beth Anne Miller has a fascination for all things Scottish (including, but not limited to, men in kilts), which has influenced all her writing to date. Her first novel is a time travel called INTO THE SCOTTISH MIST; her second, A STAR TO STEER HER BY, has a Scottish hero; and her newest book, UNDER A STORM-SWEPT SKY, is set on the Isle of Skye, and was inspired by her own long-distance treks in Scotland. A native New Yorker, Beth Anne lives on Long Island and works in the publishing industry. She’s looking forward to her next trip to Scotland.

Beth’s Media Links:

Author Website: https://www.bethannemiller.com/

Author Twitter: http://twitter.com/1bethannemiller

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1bethannemiller/

British Book Challenge 2018

Hosted by Tales of Yesterday.

All the details are here on the sign-up page.

The goal is to read 12 books in 2017 by either of the following:

– Authors who were born in the UK, live in the UK and are published in the UK
– Authors who were born overseas but are CURRENTLY living in the UK and his/her books were/are being published in the UK first
– Authors who were born in the UK are currently living overseas but his/her books are being published in the UK first

#BeatTheBacklist 2018

This challenge is being hosted by Austine @ NovelKnight.

The challenge is where your goal is to read backlist books (published prior to the current year). For 2018, it means reading any book that was published in 2017 or earlier. You have the entire year to read as many books as you can/want. The challenge begins on January 1, 2018 and ends on December 31, 2018!

Every person who joins the challenge is assigned to a team/house, and this is mine:

2018 FINISHING THE SERIES READING CHALLENGE

Hosted by : Celebrity Readers

This challenge is focused on finally finishing those series that you’ve started but not yet completed. 

• The challenge will run from January 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2018.  Books must be read during this time frame to count.  Sign up is open from now until December 1st, 2018, so you may join even just for the last month of the year.
• 
  
• Series can be already completed as well as still ongoing.  For ongoing series, the goal is to catch up to the most recent book published.  For example, I’m hoping to catch up on the Winston Brothers series by Penny Reid, but I know there will still be another book coming in 2019 before that series is considered complete.  I would just need to read all the books published before the end of 2018 to qualify it as completed for this challenge.  So assuming the release schedule remains the same, that would include Dr. Strangebeard but not Beard Necessities.
• We don’t care if you have only 1 book or 10 books to read in order to finish your series, as long as you’ve started the series before 2018 (ie read at least one book in the series), it counts.  Re-reads are not required.
• Any format and length of book counts – print, ebook, audio, ARC, etc.
• Series can be any length (even if it’s just a Duet).
• Crossovers from other challenges are totally acceptable!
• Reviews are not required, but highly encouraged.
• 
  

There are 3 levels for this challenge:

• C-List Series Finisher- complete 1 to 4 series
• B-List Series Finisher- complete 5 to 8 series
• A-List Series Finisher- complete 9+ series

 My goal

THE MODERN MRS DARCY READING CHALLENGE 2018

 Modern Mrs Darcy Reading Challenge! 2018

The List!

• a classic you've been meaning to read
• a book recommended by someone with great taste
• a book in translation
• a book nominated for an award in 2018
• a book of poetry or essay collection or play
• a book you can read in a day:
• The Good Liar.  Catherine MacKenzie
• a book more than 500 pages
• a book by a favourite author
• a book recommended by a librarian or indie bookseller
• a banned book
• a memoir, biography or book of creative non-fiction
• a book by an author of different race, ethnicity or religion than your own.  

Review: Meet Me at the Cupcake Café by Jenny Colgan (Appuntamento al Cupcake Cafè)

Meet Me at the Cupcake Café
by Jenny Colgan
Published by Little Brown Book Group on April 14, 2011 
Series:  At the Cupcake Café #1
Genres:  Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit
Pages: 456
Format: eBook, Paperback 
Buy links: Amazon

Summary From Goodreads

Issy Randall can bake. No, more than that - Issy can create stunning, mouth-wateringly divine cakes. After a childhood spent in her beloved Grampa Joe's bakery she has undoubtedly inherited his talent. So when she's made redundant from her safe but dull City job, Issy decides to seize the moment and open up her own cafe. 

My Review

E' una storia leggera, romantica e dolce di una donna che lotta duramente per realizzare i suoi sogni.
Issy è cresciuta nel forno-pasticceria del nonno e si diverte a fare dolci per i suoi amici, soprattutto cupcake. Il nonno è tutta la sua famiglia e sta morendo in una casa di cura colpito dalla demenza senile che spegne ogni giorno un suo ricordo. Fino a quando ci riuscirà lui le spedisce delle lettere con delle sue ricette. Quando Issy viene licenziata scopre che forse non è così negativo come crede. C'è un piccolo locale in affitto che può permettersi con i soldi che ha messo da parte e con la liquidazione. L'agente immobiliare crede in lei e la aiuta più di quanto potrebbe. Anche lui ha una situazione familiare delicata: i suoi genitori sono morti e deve fare lui da padre al fratello, più piccolo di lui. Issy vuole aprire la sua pasticceria e si impegna duramente, oltre ai problemi economici c'è anche il suo ragazzo che cerca di ostacolarla. Con molta fatica e dopo molto tempo si decide a lasciarlo. Ma gli ostacoli sono tanti. Riuscirà a realizzare il suo sogno?
Issy è determinata ma fragile allo stesso tempo. Durante la storia però cresce e le difficoltà la rendono molto più forte e decisa. Ha sopportato per tanti mesi un fidanzato egoista e egocentrico che non l'ha mai amata nè rispettata. Singolari  sono anche le due donne che Issy assume per lavorare con lei nel Cafè: tutte e due sono madri ma con situazioni economiche completamente diverse. E' stato bello vedere crescere il rapporto tra le tre colleghe.
Ho amato il rapporto speciale che Issy aveva con il nonno, forse perchè ho rivisto me stessa: anch'io ho avuto un nonno speciale che era tutto per me e che ho visto morire a poco a poco senza neanche riconoscermi.
E' stata una lettura veloce, piacevole con qualche ricetta davvero interessante da provare.
Lo consiglio a chi ama i Chick Lit e i dolci, vi verrà l'acquolina in bocca.

It's a light, romantic and sweet story of a woman who struggles hard to realize her dreams.
Issy grew up in her grandfather's bakery and enjoys making cakes for her friends,. Her grandfather is all her family and he is dying in a nursing home affected by senile dementia that turns off his memory every day. As long as he can, he sends her letters with his recipes. When Issy gets fired, she finds out that maybe it's not as bad as she believes. There is a small shop for rent that she can afford with the money she put aside and with the liquidation. The real estate agent believes in her and helps her more than he should. He has a delicate family situation: his parents are dead and he must be a father to his little brother. Issy wants to open her cafè and is working hard, in addition to the economic problems there is also her boyfriend who tries to hinder her. With great difficulty and after too much time she decides to leave him. But there are many obstacles. Will she succeed in realizing her dream?
Issy is determined but fragile at the same time. But during the story she grows and the difficulties make her much stronger and more tenacious. For many months she has endured a selfish and self-centered boyfriend who never loved her or respected her. Special are also the two women that Issy hires to work with her in the Cafè: both are mothers but with completely different economic situations. It was nice to see the relationship between the three colleagues grow.
I loved the special relationship Issy had with her grandfather, perhaps because I saw myself: I had a special grandfather who was all for me and I saw him die little by little without even recognizing me.
It was a quick and enjoyable reading with some really interesting recipes to try.

I recommend it to those who love Chick Lit and cakes, you will be mouth watering.

Author 

Jenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' and 'Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery', which are also published by Sphere.' Meet Me at the Cupcake Café' won the 2012 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance and was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller, as was 'Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams', which won the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013. 

For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.

Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.

https://www.jennycolgan.com/
Twitter @jennycolgan
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jennycolganbooks

Vintage Mystery Challenge 2018: Just the Fact's Ma'am...

I'll try again

Hosted here

Challenge Levels
Constable: 6 books — one from each category
Detective Sergeant: 12 books — two from each category
Inspector: 18 books — three from each category
Chief Inspector: 24 books — four from each category
Superintendent: 30 books — five from each category
Chief Superintendent: 36 books — six from each category
Deputy Chief Constable: 42 books — seven from each category
Chief Constable: 48 books — all eight books from each category

Pre-1960

1960-1989 (inclusive)

My goal is Detective Sergeant 

2018 Debut Author Challenge

Hosted here

Challenge Objectives:

• To introduce readers to this year’s wonderful group of debut authors.
• To challenge readers to read 12 or more (or less! It’s up to you!) middle grade, young adult, and new adult debuts this year.

Challenge Rules:

• You must post your thoughts on each debut book you read in order for it to count towards the challenge. You can post anywhere: your blog, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, etc. If you can link it up, it counts!
• You can join the challenge whenever you want.
• The debuts must have a publishing date in 2018 and must have been read between January 1, 2018 and January 31, 2019 (this extra month allows readers adequate time to read December debuts) in order to count.
• Each review gives you an entry into the bi-annual (two times a year) debut book giveaways (you will get to choose the book you win). Make sure you post the links to my bi-annual link-ups. I will post these link-ups on the first day of January and July.
• This challenge is open internationally, as are the bi-annual debut book giveaways (provided Book Depository ships to you).
• I don’t care what language you write your reviews in, I just need to know which book you have reviewed so I can verify your entry. When you post your link in the Linky, please include the book title in English.
• Use the hashtag #DebutAuthorChallenge so we can all see what everyone’s up to!

Which Books Count:

• The book must be classified as middle grade, young adult, new adult fiction.
• The book must be a full-length novel and not a novella.
• The book must be the author’s MG/YA/NA 2018 debut. (If the author has published adult fiction before, but this is their first MG/YA/NA book EVER it still counts. If the author has published a YA book before and this is their first MG or NA book, it does not count. We are reading the author’s first book for young people, excluding picture books.)
• Self-published books do not count, so if the author has self-published a MG/YA/NA book before and this is their first book published by a traditional publisher it counts toward the challenge.
• ARCs are fine, but only if you read them the year they are published. (If you read a 2018 debut in 2017, it does not count. If you read a 2019 debut in 2018, it does not count. This way, participants who do not have access to ARCs are not at a disadvantage.)
• Since this challenge is international, some books will be debuts in some countries and not in others. This can be tricky and put some books into a gray area, so here’s what we will do. If the book came out this year in your country for the first time, even though it was available elsewhere, then you can count it. I’m going to trust you, so please be honest.
• Please feel free to tweet, email, etc. me if you do not know if a book counts or not. I am happy to help you.

Reading Women Challenge 2018

Hosted here

It officially begins January 1st, 2018 and ends December 31st 2018.

Here’s the rundown: complete as many challenges as you can from the list below. If you have one book that covers two categories, feel free to count it for both. It's not a contest. Our goal is to encourage you to read widely (and fight the patriarchy, but that was probably a given), so just have fun with it! To help cheer you on, we’ll be hosting mini giveaways along the way. 
Be sure to share your progress, use the hashtag #ReadingWomenChallenge.

THE 365 COMMENTING CHALLENGE: 2018

Commenting 365 Challenge

Hosted by: Read Write Love 28

Goal: Comment to 365 blogs.

Author Love Challenge 2018

I'll try again.....

                  Hosted by  Fantasy Is More Fun and Because Reading.

The Rules

• Pick an author that you love and wish you’d read more of their books
• Set a goal to read x number of books by that author by the end of the year. You can make your goal to read all their books, but all we ask is that your goal be at least 5.
• Announce your participation, author, and goal in a blog post, goodreads post, FB post, etc. and link up below.
• Have fun finally catching up with a favorite author!

I have chosen Philippa Gregory

I would like to read

The Constant Princess

The Queen's Fool 

The Virgin's Lover

The White Queen

The Lady Of The River

The Kingmaker's Daughter

The White Princess

2018 Reading Challenge Addict

Hosted by Reading Challenge Addicts

How addicted are you? 

• Easy as Pie: 1-5 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
• On the Roof: 6-10 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
• In Flight: 11-15 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
• Out of This World: 16+ Challenges (Entered & Completed)

Rules:

We're not making this a difficult challenge, actually, it's going to be very simple!

1. Each edition of the challenge will begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
2. Write a starting post joining the challenge and outlining your challenges.
3. Track all of your challenge accomplishments - good & bad.
4. Comment like crazy and offer support for your fellow addicts.
5. Have FUN!

I've chosen Out of This World