The 2018 Alphabet Reading Challenge

[Melanie]

I can also add my book in ebook format as a prize if anyone would like itThe Time Key

[Katrina]

I will keep track here:

A Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 11

B Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

C Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Campbell Allen
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

D Devil's Food Cake by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter points: 2
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 22

E Eleanor and the Iron King by Julie Daines
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

F A Forest World by Felix Salten
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 14

G The Glass Slipper by Eleanor Farjeon
Letter points: 2
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 12

H Just David by Eleanor H. Porter
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 14

I The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

J Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter Points: 8
LDS Bonus: 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Book total: 28

K Key Lime Pie by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter points: 5
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 25

L Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 11

M All That Makes Life Bright: The Life and Love of Harriet Beecher Stowe by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

N Emotion Code: How to Release Your Trapped Emotions for Abundant Health, Love and Happiness by Bradley Nelson
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 0
Book total: 11

O The Other Side of Heaven by John H. Groberg
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 0
Book total: 11

P Pumpkin Roll by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

Q Behold, I Come Quickly: The Last Days and Beyond by Hoyt W. Brewster
Letter points: 10
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus:
Book total: 20

R The Mistletoe Secret by Richard Paul Evans
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

S Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

T Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

U Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 11

V The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine by Laura L. Walker
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 0
Book total: 14

W Christmas by Accident by Camron Wright
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

X Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet by Xinran
Letter points: 8
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 0
Book total: 8

Y Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 14

Z Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky
Letter points: 10
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 0
Book total: 10

Challenge total (so far): 457 points

[Julie]

I️ read Six days to live by Kenneth Page. I️ used K for his first name. It was a quick read but well executed. The story lasted about a week but was very intense with robbery, kidnap, murder and survival. I️ enjoyed it.

[Jennie]

I just finished Six Days to Live as well and I also used K for this challenge. I enjoyed the book and will review it later.
Letter Points - 5
LDS points - 10
Novel Points - 10
Total Points - 25

[Mara]

King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt
Z: 10 points
LDS bonus: 10 points
Novel bonus: 10 points
Book total: 30 points

[A.L.]

Thanks Becca, Jennie, and Melanie for offering prizes as part of the challenge. Please check you Goodreads inbox and get back to me on the prize, then I'll update the group.

I hope everyone is finding some great reads!

[Mara]

Beastly Charm by Jennifer Youngblood & Sandra Poole

Letter Y: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10

Book total: 24

[Jennie]

A FAMILIAR FEAR/Kathi Oram Peterson
Letter F: 4
LDS Bonus: 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Total Points: 24

[Julie]

I finished Proposals and poison by Rachelle Christensen. C is the letter, I️t was a good mystery with fun characters. I want to read more from this author.

[A.L.]

I finally read a book for the challenge (I thought it was a pretty good one too):

H-Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

[Julie]

I finished The Witness Of Women by Janiece Johnson and Jenny Reeder. This will be for W. I️ enjoyed reading the experiences from pioneer women during Joseph Smith’s era when the church and testimonies were new.

[A.L.]

Here is some updated prize information:

-$20 gift card for whoever reaches the maximum number of points for the challenge first (607 points), or whoever has the most points as of December 31, 2018.

-A copy of , donated by Liv Bartlet, for whoever hits all 26 letters first.

-A copy of , donated by Melanie Bateman, for the first person to reach 200 points.

-A copy of either or , donated by Jennie Hansen, for whoever has the most points on June 30, 2018.

(If you think you've won--tell me, especially if you're updating your reads on an old post.) I've also added this to the initial post in this topic so it's easy to find.

[Jennie]

Z King of the Friend Zone/Sheralyn Pratt
Letter Points: 10
LDS Bonus: 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Total Points: 30

[Tressa]

Fun! I am downsizing my challenges this year, but I should be able to do this. I've already read some books by LDS authors, so here goes (I will continue updated this post during the year instead of reposting each time):

UPDATED 1/25/18 with all the books I've read so far this year even if not by LDS authors. I will replace books and adjust scores as I go when I have all the letters done.

My cheat sheet:
(1 point)-A, E, I, O, U, L, N, S, T, R.
(2 points)-D, G.
(3 points)-B, C, M, P.
(4 points)-F, H, V, W, Y.
(5 points)-K.
(8 points)- J, X.
(10 points)-Q, Z

A

B
The Nobleman's Governess Bride by Deborah Hale
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 13

C
Christmas at Gate 18 by Amy Matayo
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 13

D

E
The Eternity Elixir by Frank L. Cole
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 21 points

F
The Fisherman's Daughter by Melinda Sue Sanchez
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 24 points

G
The Christmas Groom by Taylor Hart
Letter points: 2
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 0
book total: 2

H

I
I Love You Subject to the Following Terms and Conditions by Erin Lyon
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 11

J
Matchmaker for Hire by Rachel John
Letter points: 8
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 0
book total: 8

K

L

M

N

O
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 11

P
A Player for Christmas by Taylor Hart
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 13

Q
Of Dubious and Questionable Memory by Rachel McMillan
Letter points: 10
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 0
book total: 10

R

S
A Singular and Whimsical Problem by Rachel McMillan
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 0
book total: 1 points

T

U
Unconditionally by Erin Lyon
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 11 points

V
Not an Ordinary Baronet by G.G. Vandagriff
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 0
book total: 14 points

W
Heart of the West by Carolyn Twede Frank
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 24 points

X

Y
Letters to a Young Mormon, Second Edition by Adam S. Miller
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 0
book total: 14

Z


Challenge total (so far as of 1/18/18): 69 points
Challenge total (so far as of 1/25/18): 190 points

[Mara]

Just finished Havencross by Julie Daines
Letter J: 8 points
LDS bonus: 10 points
Novel bonus: 10 points

Book total: 24 points

My book challenge total should be 142

[Jennie]

Heart of the West by Carolyn Twede Frank
Letter W: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus:10
Book total points: 24

Book challenge total: 178

[A.L.]

Looks like a few people are getting close to the 200 point mark--and our first prize!

[Mara]

A Night in Grosvenor Square by Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon and Heather B. Moore.
Letter H: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

Challenge total so far: 166

[Jennie]

A Tangled Inheritance/Chalon Linton
Letter C: 4
LDS Bonus: 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Total Points: 24

Challenge Total: 201

[A.L.]

Jennie, I think you're the first person to reach 200 (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so that means you win a copy of The Time Key. Have you read it yet?

[Jennie]

No, I haven't, but I'm looking forward to reading it and considering it for my review column.

[A.L.]

Congrats, Jennie, for being the first person to reach 200 points!

You won a copy of The Time Key by Melanie Bateman

Thanks, Melanie, for donating a prize!

And everyone else, we still have 11+ months to go. Still plenty of time for the challenge. If you get 2 books a month, then add in two more sometime throughout the year, you can complete all the letters by the end of the year (assuming you can find all the letters in something that appeals to you).

[Melanie]

Jennie wrote: "No, I haven't, but I'm looking forward to reading it and considering it for my review column."

Congratulations, Jennie! Sent you a message.

[Jennie]

D: The Fisherman's Daughter/Melinda Sue Sanchez: 2
LDS Bonus: 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Total Points: 22

Challenge Total: 223 points

[Mara]

Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson
Letter D: 2
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 22 ponts

Total so far 201 points

[Julie]

I went on a cruise and finished four books. All for you by Ella Greene, it was an interesting story with three women who were pregnant and how they were feeling about becoming a mother. It focused on one in particular that was trying to find out the reasons why she was an orphan. That was counted for A. The passion of Dollsa was next used for D. This was by Julie Berry, it was a very different style of writing but I liked the characters. The Heir of Brownlie Manor I used for H. I enjoyed listening to this book. Ruth finds herself pregnant and Thomas whom she meets agrees to marry her so she can keep her baby. He has a resemblance to the father of the baby. They get to know one another and the brother is revealed, he wants Thomas's fortune. The brother ends up being killed, and I liked the structure of this plot. The Engagement plot by Krista Philips I used for E. It was about a rich bachelor who wins a bride, but he soiled her reputation. Hanna has feelings towards him and they end up together. The Winds of Change I read by Jean Holbrook Mathews. I'm using this one for M. It was about a pioneer family who travel from India to Salt Lake with the Mormons. I enjoyed reading this history and did not realize the ties to the McCune mansion until the end. I have 194 points

[Laura]

Wow! You all are racking up the points so fast! Just finished Deadline by Jewel Allen and Sawdust and Mistletoe by Michelle Pennington. One of them is just shy of 200 pages and the other is only available as an ebook, so no points for that but they're both LDS authors. Here's how that stacks up with my 13 previous points: (J) for Jewel and (S) for Sawdust = 29 + 13 = 42. Pathetic but there you go. Also, I have a new Valentine's story out called The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine if any of you are looking for a V. I'm also willing to donate a copy of it for a prize.

[Jennie]

T- The Time Key/Melinda Sanchez: 1 point
LDS Bonus : 10 points
Novel: 10 points

Total: 21 points

Challenge points: 244 points

[A.L.]

A new prize has been added:

The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine by Laura L. Walker, for whoever has the most points on Valentine's Day.

Other prizes still up for grabs:

-$20 gift card for whoever reaches the maximum number of points for the challenge first (607 points), or whoever has the most points as of December 31, 2018.

-A copy of , donated by Liv Bartlet, for whoever hits all 26 letters first.

-A copy of either or , donated by Jennie Hansen, for whoever has the most points on June 30, 2018.

Already awarded: -A copy of , donated by Melanie Bateman, for the first person to reach 200 points.

Also, I think I'm going to add that each person can only win one book prize (that way the same person doesn't win all the prizes). But you can win a book prize and win the gift card.

[Mara]

Ooh lots of prizes up for grabs. Thanks to everyone who has donated.

[Julie]

I just finished And then she was Gone byChris Greyson. It was a mystery and a young man was hoping to become a police officer. He helped them identify the killer as her husband. The other one I read was Unraveled by JULIE Diane's . It was about a girl who was crippled and received magic shoes, they transform her legs. She falls in love with the king's son but her lies are revealed. She realizes that she is beautiful even with deformed legs and she loves her friend who was there from the beginning. I have 33 more points.

[Jennie]

Q Quality Concealed/Betty Briggs
Letter Points - 10
Novel points - 10
LDS Bonus - 10

Total points: 30

Challenge total: 274 points

[Laura]

H - Her Big Fat Hunky Billionaire Boss by Victorine Lieske (14 pts)
L - Love is Come by Heather B. Moore (21 pts)

Total points so far: 77

[Cindy]

I'm going to participate too. This sounds like fun.

A

B
Love's Broken Road by Julie Coulter Bellon
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 23

C
Cold River by Liz Adair
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 23

D
Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanne Fluke
Letter points: 2
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 12

E

F
Children of the Fleet by Orson Scott Card
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 24

G

H
Horizons Unfolding (#12 in the Bregdan Chronicles Historical Fiction Romance Series by Ginny Dye
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 14

I

J
Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose by Joe Biden
Letter points: 8
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 18

K

L

M
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 13

N

O

P
Deadly Inheritance by Clair M. Poulson
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

Q
The Hundredth Queen by Emily R King
Letter points: 10
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 30

R
A Plentiful Rain by Elizabeth Perry Bentley
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 21

S

T

U

V

W
Brush with Love by Lisa McKendrick
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 24

X
Xenocide by Orson Scott Card
Letter points: 8
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
book total: 28

Y

Z

[Julie]

I read Bear Creek by Dan Arnold. It was a Christian fiction but most of it was an old western mystery about a sheriff bringing criminals in or killing them. Used this for B 13 more points.

[Jennie]

P- In Spite of Lions/Scarlette Pike/Jamie Jenson: 3 points
Novel Points: 10
LDS Bonus: 10
Total Points: 23

Challenge Points: 297

[Mara]

I've been reading and not reporting so here goes.

K: Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology
Letter: 5
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total 25

T: The Gentleman's Deception by Karen Tuft
Letter: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

V: The Vicar’s Daughter by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

W Worth the Risk by Heather B. Moore
Letter: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24 points

Which brings my total points to 295.

[Julie]

I read Insider by Sian Ann Bessey, used this for "I". I always like romance mixed with mystery and she told the story well. It kept my interest throughout the whole novel. Also I read Blue Castle and used L for the author L M Montgomery. I had read it a long time ago and it was a good one. The character thinks of herself as an old maid and was told by her doctor she did not have long to live. She asks Barney to marry her and does not mind living simply, because it is better than when she was at home. Barney and Valancey discover they do care for each other and it has a good ending.

[Jennie]

R- The Road to Freedom: 1 point
LDS bonus: 10 points
Novel bonus: 10 points
Total points: 21

Challenge total: 318 points

[Connie]

Thought I'd better get started on posting...I'm thinking I better "up my game" by reading more novels instead of inspirational books, haha! Here's what I have so far for a total of 497 - UPDATED 26 July 2018

A - As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner
Letter points: 1
LDS Bonus : 0
Novel Bonus: 10
Book total: 11

B - Sleeping Beauty Killer by Mary Higgins Clark & Alifair Burke
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus:
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 13

C - The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus:
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 13

D – A Nation Divided: Vol.1 Storms Gather by Robert Marcum
Letter points: 2
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 22

E - We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 11

F - The Fisherman's Daughter by Melinda Sue Sanchez:
Letter Points: 4
LDS Bonus: 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Total Points: 24

G - The Gentleman's Deception by Karen Tuft
Letter points: 2
LDS Bonus : 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Book total: 22

H – Heaven Bound: Speed Bumps on the Way to Perfection by Lynn C. Jaynes
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus:
Book total: 14

I - Deadly Inheritance by Clair Poulson
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

J – Surrounded by Strangers by Josi S. Kilpack
Letter points: 8
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 28

K – Desperate Measures by Kristen McKindry
Letter points:5
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 0
Book total: 15

L - Love and Loss at Whitmore Manor by Anita Stansfield
Letter points: 1
LDS Bonus: 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Book total: 21

M - Midnight in Austenland (Austenland, #2) by Shannon Hale
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

N - The Fifth Letter by Nicola Moriarty
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus:
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 11

O – Miracle of the Christmas Star by Susan Dean Elzey
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus:
Book total: 11

P - A Familiar Fear by Kathi Oram Peterson
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

Q - Quality Concealed by Betty C. Briggs
Letter points: 10
LDS Bonus : 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Book total: 30

R – Ruth by H.B. Moore
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

S - Six Days to Live by Kenneth M Page
Letter points: 1
LDS Bonus: 10
Novel Bonus:10
Book total: 21

T - The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus:
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 11

U - The Stars Above North Umberland by Anita Stansfield
Letter points: 1
LDS Bonus : 10
Novel Bonus: 10
Book total: 21

V – A Nation Divided, Vol. 2: For Love of Country by Robert Marcum
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

W – Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

X - Sky Burial by Xinran
Letter points: 8
LDS Bonus : 0
Novel Bonus: 10
Book total: 18

Y – You are Loved by Kathryn Jenkins Gordon
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus:
Book total: 14

Z - King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt
Letter points: 10
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 30

[A.L.]

How many points do you have? Whoever has the most as of the end of today (Valentine's Day) wins a copy of The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine, graciously donated by the author.

Please post in a new comment how many points you have, if you think you might be in the lead. Reminder that you can only win one book prize during the challenge. I'll give everyone through the 15th to report. And happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

And in honor of the holiday, here's a link to a blogging friend's Non-Hallmark History of Valentine's Day: https://mb-henry.com/2018/02/12/a-non...

[Julie]

I read Seeing Ranch, by Florence Linnington, it was a romance and was well written. They realized ( Beau and Cadence) that they could forgive and belonged together.

[Cathy]

As of last night, I'm at 305 points.

[A.L.]

That's awesome, Cathy!

[Mara]

Just finished Ashes on the Moor by Sarah M. Eden
Letter 'M': 3 points
LDS bonus: 10 points
Novel bonus: 10 points
book total: 23 points

challenge total 318 points

[A.L.]

Mara, you've got a lot of points! Is that book an arc?

Did anyone have more than 305 points at the end of Valentine's Day?

[Mara]

I got it from Netgalley. Does that not count?

[A.L.]

Mara wrote: "I got it from Netgalley. Does that not count?"

It totally counts! I just didn't think it was out yet, so I figured it was some type of review copy.

[Mara]

It probably is. It's really good. There's one character I just want to slap silly. She's dreadful. 😊

[A.L.]

Did anyone have more than Cathy's 305 points as of February 14th?