The Challenge Factory discussion

Do you know a story where a main character has a pet? This reading challenge is for those books. Use the name of the animal to spell out the alphabet.

Since finding names for the letters Q, X, Y, and Z can be tough, the setup for this challenge will be a bit different. YOU decide which 26 letters you will search for.
You might leave out the vowels and double up on five consonants, or only look for
Bs, Fs, Rs, and Ss (everyone names their pets Boots, Fido, Rover and Spot, right?).
The letter choices are up to you, but there must be 26 of them.

Here's some lists to help:
Popular Romances with Pets
Best Pet Mystery Series
Best Fictional Pets
Unusual Pets in Romances

Use one name per book.
Do not change your letters after you have posted your final list.
No page limits. Re-reads are okay.
Duration: Jan. 1, 2018 - Dec. 31, 2018

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short cut to participant's sign-up post


Brigia
Celia
Diane ~Firefly~
Elaine
JoAnne
Lanelle
Lara
Lisa
Marie Claude
Meg

Do you know a story where a main character has a pet? This reading challenge is for those books. Use the name of the animal to spell out the alphabet. Skipping Q, U, Y, Z

Use one name per book.
No page limits. Re-reads are okay.
Duration: Jan.1, 2018 -Dec. 31, 2018

COMPLETED – 26 / 26 *** 10/14/18 ***

A. ALFIE - The Mountaintop School for Dogs and Other Second Chances by Ellen Cooney – 2/18/18
B. BUDDY – Sit, Stay, LoveSit, Stay, Love by Debbie Burns – 10/14/18
B. BOGIE - Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber – 1/15/18
C. COUNTESS - Pawsible Suspects by Chloe Kendrick – 2/14/18
D. DEWEY - Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-Town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions by Vicki Myron – 1/13/18
E. EINSTEIN - Einstein Dog by Craig Spence – 9/8/18
F. FIDO – Wild Ride by Julie Walker – 1/20/18
G. GOODY – The Right Side by Spencer Quinn – 5/30/18
H. HANK – Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason – 1/22/18
I – IVAN – Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery – 6/10/18
J. JACK -Fan the Flames by Katie Ruggle – 3/8/18
K. KLONDIKE - Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero by Michael Hingson – 6/4/18L. LASS - Lessons from a Sheep Dog by Phillip Keller – 1/1/18
L. LEXI – On the Chase by Katie Ruggle – 1/21/18 (in place of Q)
M. MAX - Max: Best Friend. Hero. Marine. - Max by Jennifer Li Shotz – 1/5/18
N. NAPOLEON - The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin – 1/14/18
O. - OOGY - Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin – 8/31/18
P. PEANUT - Too Hard to Handle by Julie Walker – 1/13/18
R. ROSELLE – Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero by Michael Hingson – 6/4/18
R. ROBO - Killing Trail by Margeret Mizushima – 9/1/18
S. – SNICKERS – Mulberry Moon by Catherine Anderson – 4/7/18
T. TICK - Maggie by Charles Martin 3/16/18
T. TRINITY - Trinity: Military War Dog by Ronie Kendig – 10/5/18
V. VIGGY – Run to Ground by Katie Ruggle – 1/1/18
W. WOWSER - Bark: Stories by Lorrie Moore - 6/13/18
X – XENA – Survive the Night by Katie Ruggle – 2/15/18

After doing a bit of research, I think I might be able to find the following letters.

Do not change your letters after you have posted your final list.
Use one name per book. No page limits. Re-reads are okay.
Duration: Jan.1, 2018 -Dec. 31, 2018

1. A - Ari Be Mine 12/7/18 ***
2. B - Beast Clean Sweep 1/4/18 ****
3. B - Bailey Arms of Promise 1/30/18 ***
4. C -
5. C - Charlie There's a New Sheriff in Town 5/9/18 ****
6. D - Dog Cabin by the Lake 4/25/18 ***
7. G - Goldstein The Silent Boy 4/28/18 ***
8. H -
9. J - Jack The Last Dog on Earth 4/8/18 ****
10. J - Joe River Road 5/10/18 ***
11. L -
12. L - Lucy Dance Upon the Air 5/3/18 ***
13. L - Lexi Kiss of Death 4/20/18 **
14. M - Medea Fire Touched 4/25/18 ****
15. M - Mr. Grumble Gilt 4/28/18 ***
16. O - Otis Deep Waters 1/1/18 ***
17. P - Phantom The Ghost Next Door 5/31/18 ***
18. P - Picayune The Dedicated Villain 5/13/18 ****
19. R - Rowdy Town Social 6/20/18 ***
20. R - Rusty One Texas Night 1/5/18 ***
21. S - Stew-Cat The Thief of Always 4/1/18 ****
22. S - Shadowfax In Deep Water 1/1/18 ***
23. S - Sandy - Annie 1/12/18 ***
24. T - Titus Candlelight Wish 2/11/18 ***
25. T -
26. T -

Do you know a story where a main character has a pet? This reading challenge is for those books. Use the name of the animal to spell out the alphabet.

The letter choices are up to you, but there must be 26 of them.
Use one name per book.
Do not change your letters after you have posted your final list.
No page limits.
Duration: Jan. 1, 2018 - Dec. 31, 2018
Read 26/26 DONE!

B Big Tom - Wyoming Winter (Wyoming Men #7) by Diana Palmer 1/21/18 4stars (Colie's cat)
B Beau - Cowboy Bold (Longhorn Canyon #1) by Carolyn Brown 5/1/18 4stars (Cade and the ranch's dog)
C Cujo - Falling in Love With You (Falling in Love #2) by Kathy Coatney 1/27/18 4.5stars (Noah's dog; also used as rescue dog)
C Chaos - Every Dog Has His Day (Bluff Point #3) by Jenn McKinlay 1/28/18 4stars (Maddie and Gracie's foster cat)
D Daisy - Refuge Cove (New Americana #2) by Janet Dailey 1/7/18 4stars (K9 dog that tracks)
D Devil - Love's Whisper (Wilderness Hearts Historical Romances Book 4) by Dorothy Wiley 5/25/18 5stars (Baldy's red sorrel gelding)
F Fred - Do You Take This Cowboy?|by Stephanie Berget, Melissa Keir, Lyssa Layne, Robin Deeter, Ann Anders, Paty Jager, D'Ann Lindun 7/27/18 4.5stars (in story Claiming the Cowboy's Heart by Melissa Keir (snake - part of Preston's Critter Caravan to bring to schools - was someone's illegal pet)
F - Fernando - Maybe for You (Whiskey and Weddings, #3) by Nicole McLaughlin 8/8/18 3.5stars (Charlotte's dog)
G Gidget- The Dating Debate (Dating Dilemmas, #1) by Chris Cannon 2/10/18 3stars (dog belongs to Nina and her family)
H Hei-Hei - (The) Start of Something Good (Stay #1) by Jennifer Probst 6/2/18 4.5stars (chicken on Ethan's family's horse farm/inn)
L Lightning - Falling in Love For the First Time (Falling in Love #3) by Kathy Coatney 2/24/18 4stars (Maggie's dog)
L Lady - The Courage of a Cowboy (Elk Heights Ranch #2) by Kristin Vayden 3/31/18 5stars (Harper's horse)
L - Lizzy - When We Found Home by Susan Mallery 7/4/18 5stars (Keira's kitten)
M Max - One Last Promise (Bedford Falls #2) by Sydney Bristow 4/20/18 4stars (Damon's dog)
M Maxwell aka Max - Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship by Tom Ryan 6/9/18 5stars (Tom's first dog)
N - Noah or Nip - Your Biggest Fan? (Fan Series #1) by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 7/30/18 3stars (Callie's chihuahua named for her crush)
N - Noel - All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy by Jessica Clare 11/4/18 4stars (one of the puppies Eli's dog, Frannie, gives birth to)
P Patches - Cowboy Charmed by Stephanie Berget, Allison Merritt, Danita Cahill, RaeAnne Hadley, Paty Jager, D'Ann Lindun 2/15/18 4stars (Benson's horse, now his daughter's in Branded by D'Ann Lindun)
P Pork Chop - All-American Cowboy (Holiday, Texas #1) by Dylann Crush 6/28/18 4stars (Charlie's pig - mascot of the honky-tonk the Rose)
R Rosie - The Amish Teacher's Gift (Love and Promises #1) by Rachel J. Good 4/17/18 5stars (Ada's family's pony to pull the buggy)
R Rasputin - Cowboy SEAL Redemption (Navy SEAL Cowboys #2) by Nicole Helm 7/3/18 4stars (Becca's rooster)
S Strider - Heart of Eden (Colorado Hearts #1) by Caroline Fyffe 1/14/18 5stars (Belle's horse that was her dad's)
S Shell - Unforgivable Love by Sophfronia Scott 2/4/18 3.5 stars (Val's turtle as a kid)
S Sibyl - The Gunslinger's Vow (Runaway Brides #1) by Amy Sandas 6/3/18 5stars (Alexandra's horse)
T Thor - Sisters Like Us (Mischief Bay, #4) by Susan Mallery 1/19/18 5stars (Lucas' dog)
T Truman - Caught Up in a Cowboy (Cowboys of Creedence #1) by Jennie Marts 3/12/18 4stars (Max's puppy)

A to Maybe Z Spell Out for Pets

Challenge Accepted: January 1, 2018
Challenge (hopefully) Completed: December 31, 2018

No page limit, one name per book.

1. A
2. A
3. B
4. B
5. C
6. C
7. D
8. D
9. E
10. F
11. G
12. H
13. L
14. L
15. M
16. M
17. N
18. P
19. P
20. R
21. R
22. S
23. S
24. T
25. T
26. V

A to Maybe Z Spell Out for Pets

Challenge: January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018

No page limit, one name per book.
I need to do some gophering before setting my letters, but they will be listed before January 1st

12/26

1. C: Charlie - Once Upon a Spine - 02/26
2. C: Charles - Booked for Trouble - 03/17
3. C: Charles - Reading Up a Storm - 04/18
4. C
5. C
6. D: Diesel in Arsenic and Old Books - read 02/13
7. D: Diesel in No Cats Allowed - read 03/24
8. D: Diesel in Twelve Angry Librarians - read 04/04
9. E: Edam or Eddie in Book Fair and Foul - read 01/17
10. E: Edam in Law and Author - read 04/15
11. E
12. E
13. H
14. H
15. H
16. H
17. H
18. M
19. M
20. M
21. S - Steve in Autopsie d'une femme plate - read 04/01
22. S
23. T - Tuttle in A Panicked Premonition - read 01/25
24. T - Tiger in This Old Homicide - read 05/15
25. T - Toby in Ghostly Echoes - read 05/26
26. T

I'm thinking if you pick 1 or 2 series, you could knock out all 26 letters easily :)

A to Z: Pets
Completed: 25/26

B: Boris, the Irish wolfhound in Fish and Ghosts (01/07/18)
B: Buster, the cat in Love and Lint Rollers - (10/19/18)
B: Bran, the dog in A Hidden Fire (08/26/18)
C: Chuck, the golden retriever in Wherever You Go (01/06/18)
C: Chloe, the bearded collie in Tell No One (02/25/18)
D: Duke, the German Shepherd in The Wife Between Us (02/18/18)
E: Euphemia, the goat in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (01/06/18)
F: Freckles, the dog in Freckles (01/25/18)
F: Franco, the dog in Geekerella (05/01)
F: Frankie, the pet zombie chicken in Deathly Still (06/01)
H: Huginn, the raven in The Night Circus (04/08/18)
J: Joe, the greyhound in All Creatures Great and Small (01/21/18)
L: Lenny, the dog in Anonymity (04/30/18)
M: Mäusle, the cat in Solang die Welt noch schläft (02/27/18)
M: Magpie, the cat in Practical Magic (03/01/18)
N: Nico, the monkey in The Forbidden Rose (03/02/18)
O: O: Ozzie, the dog in Aidan and Ethan (04/20/18)
P: Portia, the dove in Six of Hearts (01/28/18)
P: Punch, the cat in The Woman in the Window (03/05/18)
Q:
R: Ryu, the wolf in Cress (06/24/18)
R: Rusty, the dog in I Hunt Killers (7/18)
S: Sheba, the dog in Fair Chance (03/26/18)
S: Shadow, the dog in Wolfskin (05/27)
T: Trickster, the dog in Alone (02/05/18)
T: Tabitha, the cat in A Discovery of Witches (07/08)

Oooh. I read lots of books with pets. I'm definitely in.
Pet Names
26/26 completed!!

A: Avogrado (turtle): January Exposure by Sunny Benson - 12/23-18
B: Bandit (cat): Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper by J.L. Bryan - 1/17/18
B: Betty (dog): Rumour Has It by Jill Mansell - 3/22/18
C: Cricket (horse): A Darkness Absolute by Kelley Armstrong - 1/8/1/
C: Coco (dog): Death Down Under by Samantha Silver - 2/28/18
D: Dulcinea (donkey): Citizen Pain by Elise Sax - 6/11/18
D: Deputy Donut (cat): Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton - 10/29/18
E: Eggy (dog): Doom with a View by Victoria Laurie - 1/4/18
G: Goldie (dog): Silence is Golden by Shannon Esposito - 1/21/18
H: Honey (dog): Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston - 2/9/18
L: Lulu (lamb): Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis - 4/16/18
L: Lyssa (elephant): A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James - 4/23/18
M: Muffin (cat): Alice in Murderland by Samantha Silver - 2/11/18
M: Merlin (hawk): Blood Magick by Nora Roberts - 8/17/18
N: Nelli (dog): Doppelgangster by Laura Resnick - 3/27/18
O: Oberon (dog): Tricked by Kevin Hearne - 4/11/18
O: Oscar (cat): Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey - 4/30/18
P: Pal (ferret): Spellbent by Lucy A. Snyder - 8/3/18
R: Rex (lobster): When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare - 3/29/18
R: Rasputin(dog): Serpent's Kiss by Thea Harrison - 4/14/18
S: Spider (cat): Miss Frost Braves the Blizzard by Kristin Painter - 3/11/18
S: Sledge (dog): A New Leash on Life by Debbie Burns - 5/11/18
S: Socrates (dog): Dial Meow for Murder by Bethany Blake - 9/29/18
T: Trevor (toad): Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - 5/12/18
T: Tango (cat): Marked Fur Murder by Dixie Lyle - 8/6/18
W: Watson (dog): Cruel Candy by Mildred Abbott - 4/1/18

Wouldn't you know that I get a dog named YoYo in a book when I got to pick the letters. Who would pick Y???

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Wouldn't you know that I get a dog named YoYo in a book when I got to pick the letters. Who would pick Y???"

I certainly didn't choose Y!

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Wouldn't you know that I get a dog named YoYo in a book when I got to pick the letters. Who would pick Y???"

Lol, I got a dog named Kansas in a book - K? Anyone?

I'm gonna try it! Am committing to these letters (come on, Q!):

A. Amber, large cat from To Helen Back 3/1
B. Bumper, cat from Knot In My Backyard 3/4
B. Blue, dog from Cooked Books 4/1
C. Chloe from The Case of the Abandoned Aussie 4/19
C. Clover, dog from Chili to Die for 6/20
D. Dimples, goat from Bitter Harvest 1/18
F. Fred, dog from Mrs. Jeffries Reveals Her Art 5/19
G. Galahad, cat from Celebrity in Death 3/4
G. Gidget, goat from Mistletoe Murder 10/3
H. Hops, cat from Tangled Up in Brew 1/29
H. Homer, blind mule from Finding Justice 3/25
J. Jazz, cat from Blownup in Paradise 5/26
K. King Henry, "bodyguard" cat from Fatal Chocolate Obsession 1/27
L. Le Roi, Maine coon cat from Fogged Inn 2/12
L. Liam, terrier from Single Malt Murder 2/28
M. Mick, Labrador from Cheddar Off Dead 1/26
M. Matterhorn (Mattie), St. Bernard from Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen 2/15
N. Nutmeg, cat from Assaulted Caramel 5/8
P. Pommes Frites, dog from Monsieur Pamplemousse 4/17
Q. Qigong (chee-gung), terrier from Death Drops: A Natural Remedies Mystery
R. Rusty, dog from Holidays Can Be Murder 1/29
S. Sushi, shih tzu from Antiques Fate 2/3
S. Sexy Beast (SB), poodle from Undertaking Irene 5/28
T. Tillie, dog from The Christmas Letter 2/18
T. Trixie, Jack Russell terrier from The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer 3/15
Z. Zip, dog from Rebel, Mary Hiker 5/29

Meg wrote: "Am committing to these letters (come on, Q!)"

Very brave of you. If I come across a pet name that starts with Q, I'll let you know.

Good luck Meg, I'm impressed you chose Q and Z.

A little crazy, huh? Fingers crossed!

I'm going to give this ago

1. Dewey Dewey
2. Death of a Dog Whisperer Jojo 20/02/2018
3. In Dog We Trust Rochester
4. Murder Past Due Diesel
5. A Pedigree to Die For Beau
6. Jingle Bell Bark Goldie
7. Dog Eat Dog Camille
8. Hair of the Dog Tory/Joker/Vanna
9. Watchdog Asta
10. Hush Puppy Heidi
11. Unleashed Boris
12. Once Bitten Titus
13. Hot Dog Dox
14. Best in Show Hope
15. Raining Cats and Dogs Bubbles
16. Chow Down Ginger
17. Hounded to Death Button
18. Doggie Daycare Murder Berkley
19. Gone With The Woof Russet Red Robin
20. The Bark Before Christmas Kiltie
21. Live and Let Growl Tar
22. Murder at the Puppy Fest Bud
23. Wagging Through The Snow Raven
24. A Christmas Howl Laurel
25. Underdog Faith
26.Dumb Witness Bob

Meg wrote: "I'm gonna try it! Am committing to these letters (come on, Q!):

Found my "Q"! lol

Qigong (chee-gung), terrier from Death Drops: A Natural Remedies Mystery. Qigong is a form of Chinese Yoga

Meg wrote: "Meg wrote: "I'm gonna try it! Am committing to these letters (come on, Q!):

Found my "Q"! lol

Qigong (chee-gung), terrier from Death Drops: A Natural Remedies Mystery. Qigong is a form of Chinese..."

Congrats! I'm impressed.

Thanks! =)

I've been trying to get some different kinds of pets. So far I have 8 different animal types: cat, dog, horse, donkey, lamb, elephant, lobster and toad.

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I've been trying to get some different kinds of pets. So far I have 8 different animal types: cat, dog, horse, donkey, lamb, elephant, lobster and toad."

I started out wanting to do that, as well, but wasn't running into very many. The mysteries I read are mostly set in small towns or smaller cities, a couple farms and orchards, but only found a goat and mule. I still have "G" left so maybe...

Meg wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I've been trying to get some different kinds of pets. So far I have 8 different animal types: cat, dog, horse, donkey, lamb, elephant, lobster and toad."

I started out want..."

Yeah, only 6 out of my 22 aren't cats or dogs. They are certainly more prevalent in books.

Does anyone mind if I backlog from the beginning of the year? I'd love to do this challenge.

A. - Abu (Monkey) - 11/5/2018
B. - Brickz (Dog) - 1/14/2018
C.
D.
E.
F.
G. - Gena Rowlands (Dog) - 5/30/2018
H. - Honey (Horse) - 6/28/2018
I. - Itchy (Cat) - 9/5/2018
J. - Justice (Dog) - 12/21/2018
K.
L. - Loco (Dog) - 7/21/2018
M.
N. - Nailah (Lionaire) - 7/28/2018
O.
P.
Q.
R. - Rascal (Dog) - 8/29
S. - Stan (Bearded Dragon) - 9/15
T.
U.
V.
W.
X.
Y.
Z.

Celia wrote: "Does anyone mind if I backlog from the beginning of the year? I'd love to do this challenge."

Go right ahead :)

Lanelle wrote: "Celia wrote: "Does anyone mind if I backlog from the beginning of the year? I'd love to do this challenge."

Go right ahead :)"

Thanks

Completed - Post #3 Loved this challenge!!!!!

Finished, as well! See post 14...

Can't wait for next year's challenge 🎃

Done on post #5
Definitely tough since had to pick the letters first and stick with them!

Will there be a 2019 Version of this?

I have a similar challenge ready. It will be places instead of pets.

AWESOME. I'll watch for it.

Lanelle wrote: "I have a similar challenge ready. It will be places instead of pets."

That sounds like fun. Will be interesting to see if places are cities, towns, states, countries, etc. or like beach, schools, stores, etc.

Lol, I've been mentally cataloging pet names this past month from series books I've been reading. Since I plan to continue reading these series I thought I'd be a little ahead. 😆

Can't wait to see new challenge, tho.

Finished!!!

message 10

Finished in post 25! 10 books