Christian Fiction Bloggers discussion

Team Series

Andrea
Kellyn
Hannah
Brittany
Vinnie
Mindy
Mary

Chat Thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Round Thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Rounds:
January 20-February 2
February 3-16
February 17-March 2
March 3-16
March 17-30
March 31-April 13

(Rounds will be run on Eastern Time, so I plan to post the called category/letter at 12:00 AM)

Countdown to start of challenge: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

Hi, Team Series! So happy to be a part of this group.

What are your thoughts on how many points we ought to aim for per book?

On the title, I'm aiming for 3+ points, if I have access to books that work for that.
On the author, I'm aiming for 2 points, again if I have access to authors with identical initials.

Which tasks do you think will be the toughest?

I'm hoping we can chat out some ideas for animal, secondary female, and secondary male. The rest of them seem easier, since we can find the names of leading characters and locations in the book blurbs.

I'm so excited about this game!

Hi Team Series! I'm looking forward to this bookish game.

Andrea, I think the toughest categories for me will definitely be those that are looking for info that won't be easily discernable on the back cover/blurb (especially the animal one).

As for how to aim for the points, well, I am going to mainly try to use what I have in my physical bookshelf or kindle bookshelf of my TBR, along with my review books. I will try to maximize points, as much as I can, but sometimes I will just have to go with what I have. Sounds like you have a nice goal for what to look for. I will definitely try to maximize those points where I can. Happy to be here! :)

Hello! I'm not sure quite how many points I should aim for yet, but I'll do my best to follow along. I'm hoping to get lots of ideas of books from y'all. ;)

I agree that animals will be a tough one! Secondary characters can be tough, too, because the chances of them being listed on the blurb are pretty minimal.

That makes total sense to me, Brittany. I love that you're using review books too. Two birds, one stone. ;)

Even if we don't get all the points maximized every time, that's okay. We do want to when we can, but there's no pressure to do that every single time.

Yep, Kellyn, that's what I was thinking too. I've seen a few blurbs mention secondaries, but they're very rare.

We have our first round info!!!

Letter: P
Category: Animal

It may be a pet name (Pinky, Petunia) or a classification (panther, puppy, python).

Please check in here when you find your book (must be at least 150 pages).

Books must be read between 1/20 and 2/2, then posted in our Round thread within that time period too.

Happy reading, Team Series!

Found one!

Pony: The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer


I need a romcom for this month, so this ought to kill two birds with one stone.

I'll keep a track of our books here.

Round 1: P, Animal

Andrea: Potato the purebred pug puppy | Sit, Stay, Love by J.J. Howard | 4 points | Done
Kellyn: Pony | Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen | 1 point
Hannah: Potato the purebred pug puppy | Sit, Stay, Love by J.J. Howard | 4 points | Done
Brittany: Pretty Girl the parrot | To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano | 2 points | Done
Vinnie: Pony | The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett | 1 point | Done
Mindy: Puppy named Phoebe | To Save A King by Rachel Hauck | 2 points | Done
Mary: Parrot | The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer | 1 point | Done



Total Points: 15

Back-up Books:
Andrea: Pug named Pancake | Pugs and Kisses by J.J. Howard | 2 points | Done

Our teammate Kellyn has a book that mentions a puppy and a pony (will only count for one point, as only one animal is allowed per book):



If anyone likes nonfiction, this one mentions several P animals, so there would be lots of options to choose from in it:



If you're hunting through your lists or collection at home, remember that covers can be clues. If the cover has a puppy or pony or parakeet, try checking a preview on Google Books or equivalent for that animal in the text.

Wow Andrea, thanks for the recommendations! I had to work until now, so I will start my search now.

I will read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It has a pony in it.

Thanks for checking in, Vinnie! I love The Secret Garden. Such a sweet story!

I'm switching my book. I found one worth two points:

A pug named Pancake is featured. I checked. It does have a sentence that says, "And Pancake is the perfect pug name," as well as, "He has a pug named Pancake."

It's middle grade but long enough in pages. Not sure of any negative content. It looks to be general market, but maybe it will be good.

Andrea wrote: "Found one!

Pony: The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer


I need a romcom for this month, so this ought to kill two birds with one stone."
This one wasn't actually comedic...it was more dramatic.

Oh, really? Stepping out of her comfort zone there. Can't say I'm complaining, as I love her depth, but I'll have to find a different one for the romcom. ;)

Andrea wrote: "Oh, really? Stepping out of her comfort zone there. Can't say I'm complaining, as I love her depth, but I'll have to find a different one for the romcom. ;)"

I read three books to get to a rom com--ha!

I've already read ten this month, none of them romcoms. I'm totally in the mood for one, but it's just not working out for me!

I'm going to read by Jen Turano. My daughter read it and in the epilogue, they mention "Princess the poodle" and "Pretty Girl the parrot". I know that we can only use one animal, but with the names for either of those, it should be 2 points.

And I agree with The Heart's Charge not being romcom. It is a more serious series. Very good, too!

Great find, Brittany!

Brittany wrote: "I'm going to read by Jen Turano. My daughter read it and in the epilogue, they mention "Princess the poodle" and "Pretty Girl the parrot". I know that we ..."

Trust Jen Turano to have snappy animal names!

I think I'm going to read Shadows of Swanford Abbey, for a mention of a pony, unless I find something worth more points!

Sounds great, Kellyn! I'll mark that down, but I can easily swap it out if you find something else.

I think I’m going to read To Save a King by Rachel Hauck unless I can find another book for more points.

Notice

If you have a team member that didn't check in or finish a book for a round, someone else on the team may post an extra book to fill in for them.

Preference is for each member to read their own (1) book, but life happens and sometimes someone can't read as expected.

Mindy wrote: "I think I’m going to read To Save a King by Rachel Hauck unless I can find another book for more points."

Sounds great, Mindy. So excited that you're here with us for this game!

I haven't read any of Heyer's books before, so I'm clueless there.

So glad you're here! Happy reading!

Mary wrote: "I just found out that A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer has peacocks in it, and since I've been wanting to try her books again, it sounds like a good fit. Does anyone know what kind of content it..."

Usually the only content in her books is swearing.

Somehow I missed that you signed up for this challenge. It will be fun to have you as a reading buddy as well as a writing buddy. :)

Hannah wrote: "Usually the only content in her books is swearing."

How heavy or light on that front?

The Grand Sophy by Heyer also has a parrot. It's a fun book.

Andrea, my book has puppies in it if you want to add that to your list. Thanks

Thanks, Mindy! Will do.

Andrea wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Usually the only content in her books is swearing."

How heavy or light on that front?"

Similar to Agatha Christie, I would say.

Thanks!

Finished my book today! Posting it now.

Finished my book too :)

Great job, Vinnie!

Well done on finishing the book, Mary!

We already have three of seven done this round. Totally awesome!

How's the reading coming along, team?

I'm finishing up a couple of books in the next day or two, then I can start a back-up book just in case we need it. I'm not expecting to need it, but if life happens, at least we'll be prepared. :)

I plan to start mine tomorrow.

Sounds lovely, Brittany!

I just started reading my book today.

Awesome, Mindy! I hope it's a good one for you.

I finished my book and just posted. One of the puppies was named Phoebe, so I think that’s 2 points!

Great job! I love that it surprised you with a P name too!

One week left in our first round. Books must be finished and posted by February 2.

How’s the reading coming along?

I’m about a quarter of the way through a back-up book.

I just posted my book for 2 points.

Great work, Brittany!