The 2018 Alphabet Reading Challenge

[A.L.]

Congrats, Cathy, for having the most points as of Valentines's Day!

You win a copy of The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine by Laura L. Walker. Thank you, Laura, for donating the prize. (Sorry I'm a few days late with the announcement.)

[Cathy]

So exciting! Thanks so much!

[Julie]

I finished “Before we were Yours” by Lisa Wingate. I enjoyed this author and the story of a woman who did not realize her grandmother’s history of being kidnapped, I think it took place in 1930 in New Orleans. It was interesting and heartbreaking as family was separated and reunited.

[Julie]

I read Beyond the Rising Tide for the letter T. The author is Sarah Beard. I liked the characters and the story but was a little surprised by the ending. It was well written and kept my interest.

[Julie]

I read Funeral Potatoes but used the J for the author's name. This was a great book, while exercising it was fun to listen to the character's take on Mormon life and funerals, what can be learned and that we can change at any stage of life. It was funny and inspirational.

[A.L.]

Sounds like you're getting some good reading in, Julie!

[Jennie]

B The Killing Curse/ H. B. Moore: 3 Points
LDS Bonus Points: 10
Novel Points: 10
Total Points: 23

Challenge total Points: 341 points

[Julie]

I finished Prose and Cons by Amanda Flower, used F in the Author's name. It was a mystery about a book shop and one of the characters was poisoned. I liked the story and this author, it was fun to figure out who committed the murder. I also finished Tangled Vines by Kay Bratt, this is a series and I had read the first one. It is a good read. It takes place in China and their daughter was taken, they are reunited with her and it has other good characters also, I highly recommend this series. I calculated I have 347 points.

[Jennie]

L Love Remains: Letter points- 1
LDS Bonus Points - 10
Novel Points : 10
Total points: 21

Challenge total points: 362 points

[Julie]

I finished “Beyond the Storm” by Carolyn Zane for Z. It was about a town of people who pulled together during a tornado. It was a good book and was spiritually uplifting.

[Jennie]

I finished two more books I've been working on for awhile. One is non-fiction.

O- Teachings of Thomas S. Monson by Thomas S. Monson, compiles by Lynne F. Cannegieter: 1 point
LDS bonus points: 10 points

S -The Other Side of the Bridge: 1 point
LDS bonus points - 10
Novel: 10 points

Total challenge points : 394 points

[Mara]

The Rules in Rome by A. L. Sowards
Letter A:1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

Challenge total: 339 points

[A.L.]

Mara wrote: "The Rules in Rome by A. L. Sowards
Letter A:1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

Challenge total: 339 points"


:-)

[Mara]

A.L. wrote: "Mara wrote: "The Rules in Rome by A. L. Sowards
Letter A:1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

Challenge total: 339 points"


:-)"

A Goodreads friend was also reading it at the same time i was. We each gave it 5 stars. 😍

[A.L.]

Awesome! That made my morning!

[Mara]

Just finished Where I Belong by Heather B. Moore
Letter I: 1 point
LDS bonus: 10 points
Novel bonus: 10 points
Book total: 21 points

Challenge total: 360 points!

[Jennie]

A - Lies Jane Austen Told me/ Julie Wright: 1 point
Novel: 10 points
LDS Bonus: 10 points

total: 21 points

E - Clear Expectations/Terri Reid - 1 point
Novel : 10 points
LDS Bonus : 10 Points

Challenge total: 436 points

[A.L.]

Wow, some of you are really racking up the points!

I'm only at 94, with four books on the sheet so far. (I might add nonfiction or stuff by non-LDS authors toward the end of the year, if I need to.)

C-Cold as Ice, by Stephanie Black
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

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

M-Ruth, by H.B. Moore
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

W-Petticoat Spy, by Carol Warburton
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

[Julie]

I finished The Stars above Northumberland by Anita Stansfield. I was not disappointed in the story development, Mary’s husband dies and she goes to live with her aunt and uncle. She meets with a childhood friend Elliot. She has two children and five cousins. When her uncle dies family secrets are told. A great story! Used this book for N.

[Mara]

I updated my list and moved around a couple of books. This is my list as of March 8th.

A Rules of Rome by A. L. Sowards
Letter: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total 21

B A Peculiar Courtship by Laura Beers
Letter: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

C An Arrangement of Sorts by Rebecca Connolly
Letter: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

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

F For Elise by Sarah M. Eden
Letter: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

G A Night in Grosvenor Square by Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon and Heather B. Moore.
Letter: 2
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 22

H Slayers: The Dragon Lords by C. J. Hill
Letter: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

I Where I Belong by Heather B. Moore
Letter: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

J Havencross by Julie Daines
Letter: 8
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 28

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

M Ashes on the Moor by Sarah M. Eden
Letter: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

P Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt
Letter: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

T The Gentleman’s Deception by Karan 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

Y Beastly Charm by Jennifer Youngblood & Sandra Poole
Letter: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

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

My challenge total is now at 402 points

[A.L.]

Just a reminder that whoever hits all 26 letters first (regardless of whether the books are fiction or nonfiction, by an LDS author or not) gets a prize. (A book: Off Script)

And whoever gets the max # of points first (607) also gets a prize. (An Amazon gift card.)

So all of you getting up there in the point count, let me know when you hit one of those milestones.

[Mara]

A Midwinter Ball (Timeless Regency) by Annette Lyon, Heidi Ashworth & Michele Paige Holmes
Letter L (for Lyon): 1
LDS bonus:10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

challenge total: 423 points

[Jennie]

I don't remember what I've posted and what I haven't, so here's the last four books I read:
O - The Reformation of Lady Elinor? Darryl Harris - 21 points
N - Condemn Me Not/ Heather B Moore - 21 points
G - The Proud Shall Stumble/ Gerald N Lund - 22 points
I - Deadly Inheritance/Clair M Poulson - 21 points

Total Challenge Points : 534

[Mara]

Jennie wrote: "I don't remember what I've posted and what I haven't, so here's the last four books I read:
O - The Reformation of Lady Elinor? Darryl Harris - 21 points
N - Condemn Me Not/ Heather B Moore - 21 po..."
Great book selections!

[Mara]

I just finished The Orient Express (Timeless Victorian Collection) by Elizabeth Johns, Annette Lyon, Nancy Campbell Allen

Letter O: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21
Challenge total: 444 points

[Jennie]

I just finished Dan Yates' Angel Island. It was only 192 pages so I'll read another Y book if I get a chance.
Y- Angel Island? Dan Yates - 4 points
LDS bonus points - 10
Book total: 14

Challenge total: 548 points

[Charissa]

Here are my scores so far.
A – My Sister’s Intended – Rachael Anderson
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

B - Blemish by Jewel Allen
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

C – The Fox of Cordovia – Linda Weaver Clarke
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

E - When I’m Gone – Emily Bleeker
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

F – The Dragons of Alsace Farm - Laurie Lewis
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

G – A Practically Romantic Groom – Maria Hoagland
Letter points: 2
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 22

H - The Smallest Part – Amy Harmon
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

I – The Libby Garret Intervention - Kelly Oram
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

J – The Sidelined Wife – Jennifer Peel
Letter points: 8
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 28

K – Saving Marilee – Annette K. Larson
Letter points: 5
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 25

L – Love’s Journey Home – Julie Coulter Bellon
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

M - Hawaiian Masquerade by Rachelle Christensen
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

N - The Stars Above Northumberland – Anita Stansfield
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

O – The Avery Shaw Experiment – Kelly Oram
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

P - At the Stroke of Midnight – Kate Palmer
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

R – The Husband Mission – Regina Scott
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

S - #StarStruck – Sariah Wilson
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

T – The Lincoln Hypothesis – Timothy Ballard
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

V – Gladly Beyond – Nichole Van
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

W – Torn Canvas – Donna Weaver
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

Total Sum = 452

[Mara]

Just finished Slayers (#1) by C. J. Hill
Letter S: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

Challenge total: 465 points

[Julie]

I finished all the letters in this challenge. My last one by Millet called The Atoning One was very inspiring and I recommend you read it. I totaled 437 points and now I am still listening to The Other Side of the Bridge, which is good also.

[Mara]

Julie wrote: "I finished all the letters in this challenge. My last one by Millet called The Atoning One was very inspiring and I recommend you read it. I totaled 437 points and now I am still listening to The O..."

What did you use for the letter X?

[Katrina]

I just finished a book for letter X. It is not an LDS author and it was non-fiction, but I enjoyed it. It was Sky Burial by Xinran.

[Julie]

X by Sue grafton,my books are in my shelf reading challenge books

[Alisa]

I have a few questions about LDS authors... There are some authors I thought were LDS, but now I'm not positive. Can anyone confirm if any of the following are (or are not) LDS: Taylor Hart, Kasie West, Amy Mantayo, Victorine Lieske. Thanks!

[A.L.]

Julie wrote: "I finished all the letters in this challenge. My last one by Millet called The Atoning One was very inspiring and I recommend you read it. I totaled 437 points and now I am still listening to The O..."

Congrats, Julie, on being the first one to hit all 26 letters!

You win a copy of Off Script by Liv Bartlet.



A reminder that there are still two prizes available:

A book by Jennie Hansen to whoever has the most points half-way through the year.

And an Amazon gift card for whoever earns the maximum number of points first, or whoever has the most points on December 31.

[A.L.]

Alisa wrote: "I have a few questions about LDS authors... There are some authors I thought were LDS, but now I'm not positive. Can anyone confirm if any of the following are (or are not) LDS: Taylor Hart, Kasie ..."

Taylor Hart, Kasie West, and Victorine Lieske are. I'm not sure about Amy Mantayo.

[Alisa]

A.L. wrote: "Alisa wrote: "I have a few questions about LDS authors... There are some authors I thought were LDS, but now I'm not positive. Can anyone confirm if any of the following are (or are not) LDS: Taylo..."

I wasn't sure about her either, but I was pretty sure the others were (but just wanted to be sure). Thanks - that helps my challenge out a lot! I'm almost 70% done with the challenge!

[Charissa]

Changing my F choice to D, and using Lady Fallow's Secrets by Suzanne Rogers for F now. Total points 474.

[Jennie]

X Xenocide/Orson Scott Card 8 points
LDS Bonus 10 points
Novel (592 pages!) 10 points

Total points: 28

Challenge points: 576 points

[Jennie]

I finished the alphabet with 597 points, but sometime before the end of the year I'll read another Y book and add a final 10 points. (Too bad I can't borrow the other eight pages from the nearly 600 page Card book) Here is my challenge list:

2018 Alphabet Challenge

A - Lies Jane Austen Told Me? Julie Wright 21
B - The Killing Curse/H. B. Moore 23
C - A Tangled Inheritance? Chalon Linton 23
D - The Fisherman's Daughter/Melinda Sue Sanchez 22
E - Clear Expectations/Terri Reid 21
F - A Familiar Fear/Kathi Oram Peterson 24
G - The Proud Shall Stumble/ Gerald N Lund 22
H - A House Divided/Diane S. Tolley 24
I - Deadly Inheritance/Clair M. Poulson 21
J - The Darkest Summer/Rebecca J Greenwood 28
K - Six Days to Live/Kenneth M. Page 25
L - Love Remains/Sarah M Eden 21
M- Lily of the Manor/Anita Stansfield 23
N - Condemn Me Not/ Heather B Moore 21
O - The Reformation of Lady Elinor/Darryl Harris 21
P - In Spite of Lions/Scarlette Pike-Jamie Jensen 23
Q - Quality Concealed/Betty Briggs 30
R - The Road to Freedom/Shawn Pollock 21
S - The Other Side of the Bridge/Camron Wright 21
T - The Time Key/Melinda Sanchez 21
U -Undercover Saint/Frank Holdaway 21
V - Outshine/Nichole Van 24
W - Heart of the West/Carolyn Twede Frank 24
X -Xemocide/Orson Scott Card 28
Y - Angel Island/Dan Yates 14
Z - King of the Friend Zone/Sheralyn Pratt 30
Challenge Total: 597 points

[A.L.]

***Standing ovation for Jennie***

[Mara]

👏👏👏👏

[Mara]

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
Letter E: 1 point
LDS bonus: 10 points
Novel bonus: 10 points
Book total: 21 points
Challenge total so far: 486

[Jennie]

It was fun tracking the books I read by the alphabet so I'm starting over to see if I can get every letter twice. Here's my second just-for-the-fun-of-it go around so far:
A Tripwire/Abramson 21
D Destroying their God/Jeffs 12
J Love's Journey/Bellon 28
L To Love a Spy/Beers 21
M Mustaches for Maddie/Morris & Brown 23
P Suspect/Poulson 23
T Teachings of Thomas S. Monson/Monson 11
W Waiting for the Light/Bradley 24

Total: 142 points

[Mara]

Almost done. Just completed the letter "U"

Under a Georgia Moon by Cindy Roland Anderson
Letter: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21
Challenge total so far: 507

[A.L.]

That's awesome, Mara!

[Tressa]

UPDATED 4/17/18 with all the books I've read so far this year even if not by LDS authors. Those that are marked “Done” are those who have max points. I will replace books and adjust scores as I go when I have all the letters done.

A - Done
Active Memory by Dan Wells
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

B - Done
Bluescreen by Dan Wells
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
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 - Done
My Dearest Enemy by Jennifer Moore
Letter points: 2
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 22

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

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

G
The Forgotten Girl by Heather Chapman
Letter points: 2
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 0
Book total: 12

H
His Risk by Shelley Shepard Gray
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 14

I - Done
My Sister's Intended by Rachael Anderson
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

J
Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty by Stacy Juba
Letter points: 8
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 18

K
Keturah by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Letter points: 5
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 15

L
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

M - Done
Check Me Out by Becca Wilhite
Letter points: 3
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 23

N
A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason
Check Me Out by Becca Wilhite
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 11

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
The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton
Letter points: 10
LDS bonus: 0
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 20

R - Done
Worth the Risk by Heather B. Moore
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21

S - Done
Beneath the Bellemont Sky by Ranee S. Clark
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21 points

T - Done
A Tangled Inheritance by Chalon Linton
Letter points: 1
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 21 points

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

X

Y - Done
What Not to Say When You're Running Away by Rachel John
Letter points: 4
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 24

Z - Done
Ones and Zeroes by Dan Wells
Letter points: 10
LDS bonus: 10
Novel bonus: 10
Book total: 30

Challenge total (so far as of 4/17/18): 459 points

[Tressa]

Julie wrote: "X by Sue grafton,my books are in my shelf reading challenge books"

X has been my problem too. It's the only letter I'm missing, so thanks for sharing what you read. :)

[Tressa]

Jennie wrote: "It was fun tracking the books I read by the alphabet so I'm starting over to see if I can get every letter twice. Here's my second just-for-the-fun-of-it go around so far:
A Tripwire/Abramson 21
D ..."

What did you use for X? Trying to get some ideas... :)

[Jennie]

Tressa wrote: "Jennie wrote: "It was fun tracking the books I read by the alphabet so I'm starting over to see if I can get every letter twice. Here's my second just-for-the-fun-of-it go around so far:
A Tripwire..."

Xenocide by Orson Scot Card He's LDS and the book is nearly 600 pages so it's worth the maximum points. However if you're not a sci-fic fan the story is kind of annoying.

[Jennie]

I read my own book "If I Should Die" for my second round I. It was kind of fun to reread after seven years. I'm getting pretty close (five books to go) with completing the challenge for the second time. By the way I'm not eligible for any prizes, so Keep Reading!