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🥨Michelle's Empty Nest
🥨Michelle S (slideshell)

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.

Tracking Week 1

Week 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
MM Romance based in Australia

Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - Book Lovers - Option 1 - Messsage 33
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Option 2 - Message 38
🥐 Kat - This Spells Love - Option 2 - Message 37
🍞 ShanA - The Five Year Lie - Option 2 - Message 36
🥖 C - Rock Bottom Girl - Option 1 - Message 31
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Stealing Home - Option 1 - Message 35

Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea - Book Lovers - Option 1 - Message 55
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Option 2 - Message 40
🥐 Kat - This Spells Love - Option 2 - Message 57
🍞 ShanA - The Five Year Lie - Option 2 - Message 53
🥖 C - Rock Bottom Girl - Option 1 - Message 43
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Stealing Home - Option 1 - Message 39

Tracking Week 2

Week 2 - 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.

Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - The Devil Himself - Option 1 - Message 47
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - A Curious Beginning - Option 1 - Message 46
🥐 Kat - Dead List - Option 1 - Message 45
🍞 ShanA - To Tame a Highland Warrior - Option 1 - Message 51
🥖 C - Whisky Business - Option 1 - Message 49
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Blameless - Option 1 - Message 50


Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea - The Devil Himself - Option 1 - Message 72
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - A Curious Beginning - Option 1 - Message 54
🥐 Kat - Dead List - Option 1 - Message 99 & Message 107
🍞 ShanA - To Tame a Highland Warrior - Option 1 - Message 56
🥖 C - Whisky Business - Option 1 - Message 69
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Blameless - Option 1 - Message 52

Tracking Week 3

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.
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.

Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - Throttled - Option 1 - Message 68
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - Whale Fall - Option 1 - Message 62
🥐 Kat - 20 Minutes Around The Bonfire - Option 1 - Message 63
🍞 ShanA - Maame - Option 1 - Message 61
🥖 C - Heart of Stone - Option 1 - Message 70
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - The Truth According to Ember - Option 1 - Message 64


Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea - Throttled - Option 1 - Message 76
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - Whale Fall - Option 1 - Message 71
🥐 Kat - 20 Minutes Around The Bonfire - Option 1 - Message 73
🍞 ShanA - Maame - Option 1 - Message 77
🥖 C - Heart of Stone - Option 1 - Message 84
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - The Truth According to Ember - Option 1 - Message 65

Tracking Week 4

Week 4 - 17. Eat it straight away or freeze for another day
*Read a book from one of the following lists:
Best Seasonal Romance_Christmas & Winter
Comtemporary Christmas Winter Romance
Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday Romance
Best Gay Winter Themed Romance

Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - The Fine Print - Option 2 - Message 87
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - When the Wind Chimes - Option 1 - Message 79
🥐 Kat - Window Shopping - Option 1 - Message 80
🍞 ShanA - Not What I Expected - Option 1 - Message 81
🥖 C - Dangerous Lover - Option 1 - Message 85
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Wreck My Plans - Option 1 - Message 82


Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea - The Fine Print - Option 2 - Message 121
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - When the Wind Chimes - Option 1 - Message 92
🥐 Kat - Window Shopping - Option 1 - Message 128
🍞 ShanA - Not What I Expected - Option 1 - Message 109
🥖 C - Dangerous Lover - Option 1 - Message 102
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Wreck My Plans - Option 1 - Message 83

Tracking Week 5

Week 5 - 2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC
* Read a book with MPG historical.


Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - The Viscount Who Loved Me - Option 1 - Message 100
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - The Medicine Woman of Galveston - Option 1 - Message 96
🥐 Kat - Pass
🍞 ShanA - Break Me - Option 2 - Message 95
🥖 C - Get Thee Off My Lawn - Option 1 - message 103
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Mexican Gothic - Option 1 - Message 97


Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea - The Viscount Who Loved Me - Option 1 - Message 149
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - The Medicine Woman of Galveston - Option 1 - Message 116
🥐 Kat - Pass
🍞 ShanA - Break Me - Option 2 - Message 120
🥖 C - Get Thee Off My Lawn - Option 1 - Message 104
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Mexican Gothic - Option 1 - Message 98

Tracking Week 6

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'.
You can ignore 'The, A, and An' if they are the first word in the title.

Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - Broken Bonds - Option 1 - Message 118
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond - Option 1 - Message 112
🥐 Kat - Balls - Option 1 - Message 110
🍞 ShanA - Before We Forget Kindness - Option 1 - Message 115
🥖 C - Secret Beast - Option 1 - Message 129
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Belladonna - Option 1 - Message 113


Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea - Broken Bonds - Option 1 - Message 131
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond - Option 1 - Message 119
🥐 Kat - Balls - Option 1 - Message 141
🍞 ShanA - Before We Forget Kindness - Option 1 - Message 133
🥖 C - Secret Beast - Option 1 - Message 130
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Belladonna - Option 1 - Message 140

Tracking Week 7

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.
You must include A, An or The in the count if they are in the title.


Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - The Best Thing - Option 1 - Message 135
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - Her Last Goodbye - Option 1 - Message 126
🥐 Kat - New Balls Please - Option 1 - Message 138
🍞 ShanA - Sea of Tranquility - Option 1 - Message 145
🥖 C - Promises and Pomegranates - Option 1 - Message 143
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Name Your Price - Option 1 - Message 139



Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea - The Best Thing - Option 1 - Message 156
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - Her Last Goodbye - Option 1 - Message 144
🥐 Kat - New Balls Please - Option 1 - Message 169
🍞 ShanA - Sea of Tranquility - Option 1 - Message 155
🥖 C - Promises and Pomegranates - Option 1 - Message 158
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Name Your Price - Option 1 - Message 174

Tracking Week 8


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.

Please show how the book qualifies, using the main page (eg precis/blurb/MPG), lists or shelves/tags. All evidence must be on goodreads and something that can be easily checked and accessed.


Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - Pucking Wild - Option 1 - Message 157
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - Head Over Heels - Option 1 - Message 150
🥐 Kat - Promise Me - Option 1 - Message 168
🍞 ShanA - Season's Schemings - Option 1 - Message 154
🥖 C - The Pucking Wrong Guy - Option 1 - Message 159
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Cross the Line - Option 1 - Message 175

Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea - Pucking Wild - Option 1 - Message 196
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest -
🥐 Kat - Promise Me - Option 1 - 🍞 ShanA - Season's Schemings - Option 1 - Mesage 160
🥖 C - The Pucking Wrong Guy - Option 1 - Message 181
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) -

Tracking Week 9

Week 9

Option 1
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.)
Please state the date you added it to your shelf.

If you haven't been tracking books on GR for 12 months yet, then select a book that was added to your shelves in the first month.
You can also reread a book but it must have been originally added at least 12 months ago.


Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - Block Shot - Option 1 - Message 179
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - My Name Is Memory - Option 1 - Message 171
🥐 Kat - Goodbye My Precious Child - Option 1 - Message 187
🍞 ShanA - Done and Dusted - Option 1 - Message 172
🥖 C - One Week With You - Option 1 - Message 182
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Last Word to the Wise - Option 1 - Message 178


Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea - Shandrea - Block Shot - Option 1 - Message 197
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest -
🥐 Kat -
🍞 ShanA - Done and Dusted - Option 1 - Message 186
🥖 C - One Week With You - Option 1 - Message 183
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) -

Tracking Week 10

Week 10

Option 1
10. Patience is required
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Can't Wait Books of 2024
Can't Wait Books of 2023
Can't Wait Books of 2022
Can't Wait Books of 2021
Can't Wait MM Romance 2021
Can't Wait MM Romance 2020
Gay Romance Featuring Intense 'Need You Now' Sex


Selection Post
🥨 Shandrea - Yours Truly - Option 1 - Message 198
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest - Pass - Message 191
🥐 Kat - Past Present Future - Option 1 - Message 192
🍞 ShanA - Nothing Special - Option 1 - Message 190
🥖 C - Lights Out - Option 2 - < a href= /topic/show/... Message 188
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) - Iron Flame - Option 1 - Message 194


Completion Post
🥨 Shandrea -
🥯 Michelle's Empty Nest -
🥐 Kat -
🍞 ShanA -
🥖 C -
🥨 Michelle S (Sideshell) -

Tracking 11

Hey team!!

I love this challenge and can't wait to get it going with you all! :)
My name is Shandrea, I am from southern Idaho. I am 33 (on monday) and I have 4 children, and I have been married for 13 years.
My husband has been in the army a little longer than that and we live a very busy life lol.

The first thing we need to do is to come up with a team name, the theme this round is related to Sourdough bread, so maybe we can come up with something cute/bread themed that we can name our team..

For the Love of Bread
Get a Good Rise
I'll be the sour to your sweet
The Jane Doughs

I like The Jane Doughs

I like The Jane Doughs as well! I almost named my sourdough starter by that name. I went with Princess Dough-ana instead. LOL

Hey, team! I'm excited to see several familiar names and it's great to meet some new people as well.


I'm Michelle from Georgia. This is my first time participating in this challenge.


My husband and I are empty nesters (hence the name) with three sons ages 30, 31, and 33. No daughters-in-law or grandchildren yet.


We have a Yorkie and two Siamese cats. I recently became a crazy chicken lady with seven in my little flock at the moment.


I will read just about anything for the sake of a challenge, but my favorite genres are mystery, thriller/suspense, and historical fiction.


I'm a former middle school math and science teacher and I currently work in the public safety/law enforcement training world.

Hi team - some familiar faces and new ones!
I’m Caitlyn and live in South Louisiana. I’m married and have a 4 year old.
My favorite genres to read are romance and thriller/mystery/crime. Regarding Romance I’ll read pretty much any sub genre. I go through stages of what I read a lot of and right now I’m in a heavy contemporary phase but I think I’m transitioning slowly back into HR. We will see lol.

I like Get a good rise and the Jane Doughs!

C, if any of my boys had been a girl, I was going to use the name Caitlyn. I think it's such a beautiful name!

Michelle's Empty Nest wrote: "C, if any of my boys had been a girl, I was going to use the name Caitlyn. I think it's such a beautiful name!"

Oh I love that! Especially with the way my name is spelt. It’s not a common way to see it!

Hi everyone. I’m Kat 36 from Scotland. I live with my fiancé and two cats Bonnie and Clyde. My main reading genres are Romance(Contemporary and new adult and ya) crime and thrillers and non fiction memoirs or biographies.

I’m looking forward to playing with you all.

It's nice to meet everyone! :)

Kat, did you have a team name idea?

Right now we have - The Jane Doughs & Get a Good Rise - nominated.

Hi everyone - Michelle S is joining your team :). Michelle has confirmed that she definitely wants to play.

Sorry for the confusion with 2 Michelle, but that's how the randomiser works ;)

Okay! Welcome Michelle S! :)

Hi - sorry for the late intro! I was out of town at a 3 day musical festival and I am just now getting back to the real world.

My name is Michelle, I live in Southern Pennsylvania. I have 4 kiddos (25, 22, 10 & 6), 2 dumb dogs (a poodle and a doodle) and one indulgent husband.

I will read just about anything but my go to books are typically romance (all kinds), cozy mysteries and fantasy.

I am a SAHM and full-time volunteer - currently the PTO President, our local library's Board President, and VP for two other local organizations in addition to sitting on or chairing many many committees.

So excited to be a first timer and part of this challenge with all of you!

I'm fine with the Jane Doughs as our team name and if it helps with confusion feel free to call me slideshell for tracking and what not since I know there are two Michelle's in the group.

Michelle wrote: "call me slideshell for tracking..."

Hahaha - I wasn't expected that name and had a coughing fit!!! 😆😆

Jane (PS) wrote: "Michelle wrote: "call me slideshell for tracking..."

Hahaha - I wasn't expected that name and had a coughing fit!!! 😆😆"

It has been my email address and screen name for almost 30 years now - I will definitely respond to it 😆

Alright, looks like we are going with The Jane Doughs :)

Selection Post: Week # 1
Bookcover/link:
Page numbers: 532
How the book qualifies:
Book # 39 from list /list/show/6...

Here is our first task! :)


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
MM Romance based in Australia

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 - 15. Home cooking at its best
Option 1


Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Pages - 432
Qualification - #28 on the list - Best Return Home Books

🥐

Selection Post
Week 1

15. Home Cooking at its Best

Option 1:

Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods

Pages: 370
Qualification: #143 on the list - Romance Novels with Home in the Title

Selection Post
Week 1
Option 2
Key date: 5. April 2024
Book/Author: The Five Year Lie by Sarina Bowen
Pages: 421
How it fits: Read by Shandrea on July 24, 2024 | Rated 5 stars

Selection Post
Week 1 Option 2
Key date: April 5th 2024
Pages: 352
Book & Author: This Spells Love by Kate Robb
How it fits: Read by Shandrea on May 29th 2024 rated 4 stars

Selection Post: Week 1 ~ 15. Home cooking at its best


Option 2
Key Date: 5 April 2024
Book / Author: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Pages: 318
Qualification: Read by Michelle S. on September 18, 2024 ~ Rated 4⭐️

Completion Post
Week #1
Bookcover/link: Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods

Rating (1-5): 3 stars
Review: It was fine. I thought the timeline was very rushed - it felt like Cal and Maddie were barely dating and then they were engaged, married and pregnant. I will continue the series because it was a quick, easy read and I'm curious about a couple of the storylines, but it was really just fine.

Completion Post: Week 1 ~ 15. Home cooking at its best


Week #: 1
Book / Author: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Rating: 4⭐️
Review: Like Michelle S., I rated this one at 4 stars. This was not what I expected given some of the genres for The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, like Witches, Paranormal, Magic, and Fantasy. These are not usually my bread and butter. But the warm, cozy vibes of it made up for all of that and more. The main character, Mika, was interesting, lovable, and well-developed. The rest of the characters? Also interesting. Eclectic. Eccentric. Fantastic. Sidenote: I loved the little orphan girls' names - Rosette, Terracotta, and Altamira. How cute are those? And her car's name? Well, Broomstick, of course. There were endearing themes in this cozy mystery, which totally played into the 4-star rating for me...things like overcoming a past of abandonment and not wanting lasting relationships, being an orphan who finds family, and realizing there are nice and kind people in the world. One drawback for me, however, was the use of lots of F-bombs. I just didn't feel that was necessary. Overall, I really enjoyed this book much more than I anticipated I would!

Updated to here :) 🥨

🍒

Week 1 Completion Post
Bookcover/link: Rock Bottom Girl
Read Dates: 10/8
Rating (1-5): 5/5
Review:
Likes:
*Both MCs were so likable.
*Banter/Humor was A+
*Side Character Vicky was amazing lol

Dislikes:
*how much high school affected a 38 year old woman.

If someone is looking for just what felt like a good pallet cleanser I would highly recommend this book for that. It was cute, funny, romantic, great plot/story line, and great characters.

Here’s week two

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.

Selection Post
Week 2 option 1
Dead List by Helen H. Durrant
Pages: 205
How it fits: Set in England on précis

Selection Post: Week 2 ~ 1. Sourdough originated in Egypt and spread through Europe


Week 2
Option 1
* Read a book set in Africa or Europe.
Book / Author: A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
Pages: 339
Qualification: set in London, England according to précis & tagged "England" by 125 people on Page 1 - /work/shelve...

Selection Post

Week 2 - 1. Read a book set in Africa or Europe.
Option 1


The Devil Himself by B.B. Easton

Pages - 440
Qualification - Precis notes setting is in a "costal Irish town" - & tagged 'Ireland' by 15 people on page 1 - /work/shelve...

Updated to here! 🥐

Week 2 Selection Post
Option 1:Read a book set in Africa or Europe
Book:
Page Numbers: 352
How it qualifies: Precis states setting is on the Isle of Skye in Scotland

Selection Post
Week 2

1:Read a book set in Africa or Europe

Option 1:

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Pages: 379
Qualification: Setting according to GR:
France, Italy, London, England