2017 Alphabet Challenge Completed Successfully!

2017 Alphabet Challenge
Once again this Challenge is hosted by Lori at Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

All details and sign up form are found HERE.

These rules apply:

You can drop the A’s and The’s from the book titles....
The First Main Word Needs To Be The Letter You Are Counting

Except For those pesky Q, X AND Z titles the word that starts with the challenge letter can be ANYWHERE in the title. [Emphasis Added.]

I have always tried to have the beginning letter as the second word after an article like "The" or "A". Having it anywhere in the title could actually make it easier except I think I had already lined up titles for this challenge!

Last year I tried to do four titles for each letter and came pretty close. I did get at least One each.
This year I worked on TWO for each letter: an Audiobook and a TBR, preferably NetGalley. If I didn't have a NetGalley title there is a third book as a PrintTBR or eBookTBR or an Tour or Author book if not TBR.

I completed a total of 65 books as part of the challenge. All but 16 were TBR and there were four print TBRs.

When all completed, I got an Audiobook for all letters (the requirement for the original challenge) but I did not get a second book for Q and U. I plan to try harder to get at least two each letter in 2018.

1. Audiobooks ATBR
2. NetGalley eNGTBR or eNG
3. eBook eTBR or Print PTBR

A 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Avenging Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 7 by A. American; Post Apocalyptic, Survival; my rating 3.75.
A 2. eNGTBR(tour)- Book Review: Ashes by Steven Manchester; Fiction, Family Drama; my rating 4.25.
A 3. PTBR(LBC)- Book Review and Giveaway: All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life by Mark Batterson; Spiritual growth; my rating 4.5.

B 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Borrowed World: A Novel of Post-Apocalyptic Collapse by Franklin Horton; Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
B 2. eNGTBR- Book Review: The Blue Hour by Isabelle Simler; Children, Nature; my rating 4.75.
B 3. eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Bear Learns to Share by Lily Lexington; Animals, Children, Rhyming; my rating 4.0.

C 1. ATBR- Audible Review: The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel by Darynda Jones; Paranormal, Mystery; my rating 4.0.
C 2. eNGTBR- Book Review: Codename Lazarus: The Spy Who Came Back From The Dead by A.P. Martin; Espionage, WWII; my rating: 4.0.
C 3. eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Chasing Christmas Past: An Airship Racing Chronicles Short Story Prequel (The Airship Racing Chronicles) by Melanie Karsak; Sci Fi, Steampunk; my rating 4.0.

D 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Days of Noah: Book One: Conspiracy by Mark Goodwin; Sci Fi, Conspiracy, Chrisitian; my rating 4.25.
D 2. eNGTBR- Book Review: Dead and Breakfast: A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery by Kate Kingsbury; Cozy Mystery, Ghost; my rating: 4.25
D 3. eATBR- Book Review: Death Unmasked by Rick Sulik; Mystery, Police Procedure, Romance; my rating: 4.25.

E 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Excerpts from The Encyclopaedia Britannica; Fiction; my rating 4.5.
E 2. eNG (tour, not TBR)- Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Elementary, She Read: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery by ; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.5.


F 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Finding Dory by Disney Press; Children; my rating 4.25.
F 2. eNGTBR- Book Review and Giveaway: Free Space by Sean Danker; Sci Fi, Thriller; my rating 4.0.
F 3. eTBR(Author)- Book Review: Forbidden by F. Stone; Suspense, Romance; my rating 4.75.

G 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi ; Epic Fantasy; my rating 5.0.
G 2. eNG (not TBR)- Book Review: Gift From The Stars by James Gunn; Hard Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.
G 3. eTBR (Author)- Book Review: Glenfiddich Inn by Alan Geik; Historical Fiction; my rating 4.0.

H 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald; Personal Memoir; My rating 4.0.
H 2. eNGTBR- Book Review: Hunt the Dawn by Abbie Roads; Suspense, Supernatural; my rating: 4.75. 
H 3. eTBR- Book Review: Hope Under the Mistletoe by Jessica R. Patch; Christian, Inspirational, Romance; my rating 5.0.

I 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Into the Black: Odyssey One by Evan Currie; Sci Fi, Space Opera, Military, First Contact; my rating 4.25.
I 2. eNGTBR- Book Review: Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring... by Vanita Oelschlager; Children, Poetry; my rating 4.0.

J 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Jackaby by William Ritter; Mystery, Paranormal,Teen; my rating 4.25.
J 3. eAuthor (not TBR)- Book Review: Jeopardy in July: A Jamie Quinn Mystery by Barbara Venkataraman;Cozy Mystery, Female Attorney; my rating 4.25.


K 1. ATBR- Audible Review: Koban, Volume 1 by Stephen W. Bennett; Alien Invasion, Genetic Engineering, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
K 2. eNGTBR- Book Review: Kalico Jack by Mike Nahorniak; Illustrated Children's book; my rating 4.0.
K 3. PTour (not TBR)- Book Review and Tour Giveaway: King Harald's Snow Job by Richard Audry; Animals, Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25.

L 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Linesman by S. K. Dunstall; Sci Fi, Space Military; my rating 5.0.
L 2. eNG (not TBR)- Book Review: Love Takes Two by Patrice Moore; Small Town, Contemporary Romance; My rating 4.25.
L 3. e-Author (not TBR)- Book Review: The Letterbox by Layton Green; Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller; my rating 4.0.

M 1. A-TBR- Audible Book Review: The Monster Calls by Patrick Ness; Teen, Fantasy, Family; my rating: 4.5.
M 2. eNG (not TBR)- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires (Author, Illustrator)
M 3. e-Author (not TBR) Book Review: Book Review: Mistletoe Kiss by Marie Landry; Christmas, Holiday, Romance; my rating 4.5.

N 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead, Volume 1 by James N. Cook; Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Zombie; my rating 4.25.
N 3. eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: A Ninja Dinosaur Christmas!!! by Sonya Saturday; Children, Sci Fi; my rating 3.0.


O 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt; Mystery, Legal Procedure; my rating 4.5.
O 2. eNG (not TBR)- Book Review: On the Chase (Rocky Mountain K9 Unit Book 2) by Katie Ruggle; Action, Romantic Suspense, Small Town; My rating 4.25.


P 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Patriots of Treason by David Thomas Roberts; Political Thriller; my rating 4.25.
P 2. eNG (not TBR)- Pixie’s Adventure by Jenna Grodzicki (eTreasures book for NetGalley and Kindle release)
P 3. PTBR-LBC- Book Review and Giveaway: Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman; Amish, Romance; my rating: 4.25.


Q 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Quilt by Gary Paulsen; Family, Children; my rating 5.0.


R 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Red Rising by Pierce Brown; Dystopian, Fantasy, Sci Fi; My rating 4.75.
R 2. eNG (not TBR)- Book Review: Resurrection America by Jeff Gunhus; Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller; My rating 4.0.
R 3. eTBR- Book Review: The Remnant by William Michael Davidson; Futuristic Sci Fi, Christian; my rating: 4.25.

S 1. ATBR- Review: Audible Book Review: Skinwalker: Jane Yellowrock, Book 1 by Faith Hunter; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
S 2. eNG (not TBR)- Book Review: Someone to Hold (A Westcott Novel) by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
S 3. eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: The Snow Owl by Jon Hartling; Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

T 1. ABBTBR- Audio Book Review: Two by Vonnegut: The Big Trip Up Yonder and 2BR02B by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
T 2. eNG (not TBR)- Book Review: Terminal Regression by Mallory Hill; Dystopia; my rating 3.75.
T 3. PTBR-LBC- Book Review and Giveaway: A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano; Historical Romance, Inspirational; my rating 4.25.


U 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming; Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi, Zombie; my rating 4.0.


V 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Valor's Choice (Confederation, #1) by Tanya Huff; Military Space Sci FI; My rating 4.0.
V 3. PTBR-LBC- Book Review and Giveaway: The Vision and Beyond by David Wilkerson; Prophesy, Religion & Spirituality; my rating 4.25.
 

W 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
W 2. eNG (not TBR)- Book Review: When the English Fall by David Williams; Dystopian, Religious, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
W 3. eAuthorTBR- Book Review: Who'll Stop The Rain: (Book One Of The Miami Crime Trilogy) by Don Donovan; Crime, Noir; My rating 4.0.

X 1. ATBR- Audible Review: X Minus One: Old Time Radio, Sci-Fi Series; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
X 3. eTour (not TBR)- Book Review: Xenogeneic: First Contact by Lance Erlick; Sci Fi, Alien First Contact; my rating 3.75. 


Y 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: You Will Not Have My Hate by Antoine Leiris; Memoir; my rating 4.5.
Y 2. eNG (not TBR)-Book Review: Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear, Illustrator Esme Shapiro; Animal, Children, Friends; my rating 3.75.


Z 1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Zoo at the Edge of the World by Eric Kahn Gale; Middle Grade; my rating 4.5.
Z 3. eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: A to Z of Silly Animals - The Best Selling Illustrated Children's Book for All Ages by Sprogling; Animals, Children; my rating 3.0.

Book Review and Giveaway: Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman

This is a sweet, easy Amish romance.
Plain Proposal (Daughters of the Promise Book 5)
by Beth Wiseman

File Size: 872 KB
Print Length: 305 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 28, 2011)
ASIN: B004P5NRQ0
Genre: Amish, Inspirational, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Miriam secretly vows to follow Saul no matter what the future holds. She never thought that future might take them away from their Amish community.
Miriam Raber could have her pick of any of the eligible bachelors in Lancaster County. But she only has eyes for one . . . Saul Fisher. He captured her heart years ago, and she's never looked back. Even when rumors circulate that Saul may leave their Amish community to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime apprenticeship, Miriam makes a bold assertion: she will stand by him, whether he stays or goes.
Saul Fisher has experienced an inordinate amount of loss in his short life. Raising his two brothers and caring for a grieving father who privately seeks solace in the comfort of his homemade wine, Saul has kept his father's drinking from the community. But if he leaves Lancaster, the burden of secrecy will be left to his young brothers. How does he balance this with the dream that burns bright within him?
As Miriam and Saul consider leaving their lives behind, God starts revealing things to Miriam that make her think twice about what it means to be a Daughter of the Promise, and what it means to make a home.
Experience this love story with a surprising resolution by one of the most popular voices in Amish fiction.

Review:
Miriam Raber, at eighteen, is a lovely young woman who hasn’t dated in her Amish community as she is waiting for the right boy. She has believed for years that Saul Fisher is the one for her. This troubles her mother as it is well known that Saul has had a couple of rumbles and now there are rumors that he has plans to leave the community. Why can’t Miriam be interested in Jesse who is interested in her? Jesse is handsome, kind, hardworking and an excellent choice for a partner.

Miriam is looking forward to her first outing with Saul when she learns that her cousin, Shelby, has arrived from the city. Shelby is disgruntled and wary after suffering through her parents’ divorce and getting herself into a bit of trouble which has resulted in her being ‘sent away’ to her Amish cousins. The Amish farm is a culture shock for Shelby and Miriam tries her best to make her feel welcome.

Saul cares for Miriam and wants the chance to spend time with her even though he knows he shouldn’t. He has dreams that will take him to the city if only things remain smooth at his home so he can comfortably leave his younger brothers with their father. But their father is still having struggles after the death of Saul’s mother and sister. Saul is torn between protecting his family, wanting to be with Miriam and pursuing his dream.

Miriam believes that she is willing to be with Saul no matter where he goes but she doesn’t understand his moods as he seems to be pushing her away. She doesn’t yet know the extent of his dreams or his home problems. Will she still be supportive when she learns the full truth?

Initially Miriam’s mother is judgmental of Saul and later misjudges Shelby for influencing Miriam. Later her father becomes controlling as he fears Miriam may choose to leave the community.

Miriam’s parents are walking a fine line between trying to hold on to their beloved daughter and allowing her freedom to make her own decisions. Saul is hiding secrets at home rather than seeking help from others in their community. Shelby is finding her way to rebuilding her relationship with God as she discovers benefits and peace in the simple lifestyle of the Amish community.

This is a sweet story with likeable characters. It reads quickly and easily and the conflicts create a good plot. I really like the premise of what it means to be “a Daughter of the Promise”. There are several faith issues reflected and there are good discussion questions at the end. There are also some yummy recipes. (I’m eager for my hubby to make the Overnight Blueberry French Toast.) I recommend this to readers who enjoy Amish romances.

This was our Ladies Book Club read for April. It qualifies for Mount TBR and "P" in Alphabet Soup Challenge.

GIVEAWAY:

One (very gently read) PRINT COPY - US Only

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the Author's website and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) May 27, 2017. Winner will be announced in the Sunday Post on 2/26/17.
Winners are asked to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

MBS 2017 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge

Once again this Challenge is hosted by Lori at Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

All details and sign up form are found HERE.

AHH-  just noted these rules:

You can drop the A’s and The’s from the book titles....
The First Main Word Needs To Be The Letter You Are Counting

Except For those pesky Q, X AND Z titles the word that starts with the challenge letter can be ANYWHERE in the title. [Emphasis Added.]

I have always tried to have the beginning letter as the second word after an article like "The" or "A". Having it anywhere in the title could actually make it easier except I think I had already lined up titles for this challenge!

Last year I tried to do four titles for each letter and came pretty close. I did get at least One each.
This year I will work on TWO for each: an Audio TBR title and an ebook TBR.
I will be adding my "possible" lists this weekend.

The Completed Challenge with titles is posted HERE!