Archive for October, 2010

The Movies and Memories Giveaway – enter today!

Oct 15th 2010
Posted by Susan

Sarah Sundin presents The Movies and Memories Giveaway in honor of book 2 in the Wings of Glory series. A Memory Between Us is available for purchase wherever fine books are sold. From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

A great wonderfully researched tale full of heart and 'realness'. Sundin's characters stay with you long after you've turned the final page! Highly recommeded. Find out what other reveiwers are saying here!

AMBU_button To celebrate Sarah is giving one lucky winner A Movie and Memory Prize Package! One grand prize winner will receive:

* Make-your-own-photo book from Mypublisher.com (Capture your own Memories)

* Netflix Subscription (New or Nostalgic Movies delivered right to your house)

* Starbucks gift card (To keep your engine revvin’)

*Gourmet chocolate (A favorite in the 1940’s and now) * British specialty teas in carved wooden box (Timeless tradition)

* Miniature model of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber & C-47 cargo plane (Everyone needs a few toy planes) *Big Band music CD (Break out your dancing shoes)

* WWII authentic poster playing cards (Cards – a perfect game for two)

* Keep Calm and Carry On (Uplifting sayings WWII, a boost for troubled times)

To enter simple click on the icons below (Contest ends 10/17!)

A few more books to add to your TBR pile!

Oct 13th 2010
Posted by Susan

The Perfect Blend by Trish Perry

Steph Vandergrift left everything to elope with Middleburg attorney Rick Manfred, who then stood her up at the altar. Too embarrassed to return home, Steph hopes to earn enough to get by until she can decide what to do next. Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel hires her and appreciates the extra help at the tea shop.

Also appreciative of Steph is Kendall James, one of the kindest, most eligible bachelors in the area. But by the time Steph feels able to consider dating again, her run-away fiancé returns and tries to win her back. Steph is wary, but she and Rick always blended so well.

Christie Burnham, the frank-talking equestrian from whom Steph rents a room, and her frillier sister Liz become fast friends and confidantes to Steph. Between the two sisters, there isn't much any man is going to pull over on Middleburg's newest bachelorette and tea shop employee.

About Trish: I started writing seriously about sixteen years ago. Up until then I thought I had finally figured out what I wanted to do when I grew up: I went back to school and got a degree in Psychology. I was drawn to how our minds and emotions work. But while writing for my classes, I found myself drawn to how we relate to one another's minds and emotions.

Hey, guess what? That's what stories and novels are all about (good ones, anyway)!

I started writing short stories—pretty bad ones. And I started taking creative writing courses to round out my degree. So I was in classes full of people just like me—lousy writers. But we were learning!

Then the Lord led me to a local writers' group, Capital Christian Writers, and the contacts and friends I made through CCW enriched my personal life and my writing life more than I can measure. Through CCW and through reading just about every book and magazine ever published by Writer's Digest, I started catching on. Now I'm writing full time and man oh man do I love it.

Before the writing began, I worked for attorneys in Washington, D. C. I worked for the Securities and Exchange Commission. And I was a stockbroker. A horrible stockbroker. How do people do that? Take responsibility for other people's financial futures? Yikes. I'm perfectly happy to take responsibility for the amount of time any one person wants to spend reading my books. If you enjoy the experience, then know that we both enjoyed it together. I love that about books.

In the midst of all that fretting over other people's money and writing about other people's lives, I racked up a few personal experiences myself. Some good, some bad, but all part of God's plan. Now I live in Northern Virginia with my brilliantly funny son. I have a savvy, gorgeous grown daughter, a charming son-in-law, and an amazing grandson. For more info about Trish and her other books, visit her website at www.trishperry.com.

Books 3 & 4 in The London Confidential series by Sandra Byrd

London Confidential, Book #3
Don't Kiss Him Goodbye


It was just a kiss. A simple kiss, a quick kiss, an innocent peck because they were saying good-bye and no one was watching. But someone was watching them–me. Not that I'd meant to. I didn't know why the kiss troubled me, but it did. I hid it well, though. Or so I thought.

Now established in her quirky British village, Savvy works hard to get an article with her own byline published in the school newspaper. When an attractive and mysterious boy asks her for help with his school work, Savvy is slowly pulled into his circle and soon finds out that the wrong set of friends-boys and girls-can influence her own behavior. Following her own advice to cut ties with a charming bad boy would mean abandoning her dearest wishes, and it just doesn't seem as wrong as it feels. Is it? Read on for surprise twists throughout the book!

London Confidential, Book #4
Flirting With Disaster

If you forward this to 10 friends within 2 hours something good will happen in your life 2day and 2morrow. But if you don't then something bad will happen 2day and 2morrow. For sure.

In a shocking turn of events, all writers for the Wexburg Academy Times will cast their votes for next year's editor – and it looks like Savvy's vote will be the tie breaker! She must choose between a nasty-girl-turned-nice, with a sudden interest in letting Savvy get what she wants, and the prickly Hazelle, who promises nothing at all. Savvy then finds herself wrapped up in a new, seemingly innocent but potentially dangerous activity. It's all at risk in this book: her position on the paper, the boy she likes, the ministry she wants to go well. At a critical moment, Savvy must figure out how to rely on God rather than luck and to overcome temptation before it is too late.

About Sandra Byrd: After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd went on to publish three dozen books including her widely-acclaimed adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, and her recent 4-book young adult fiction series, London Confidential.

A former textbook acquisitions editor, Sandra is also an accomplished non-fiction writer and author. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications such as Radiant, Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Magazine, Christian Parenting Today, Pockets, Decision, and Guideposts. During the past seven years, Sandra has mentored hundreds of students through the Christian Writer's Guild. 

Sandra resides in Seattle, Washington with her husband Michael, a chaplain, their two teenagers, and a circus dog named Brie. For more info about Sandra and her other books, please visit www.sandrabyrd.com.

Double Teamed!

Oct 12th 2010
Posted by Susan

So, after my terrible Football Mom showing a couple weeks ago, I put in the effort to up my game the following week.  I was feeling pretty fine with my Vikings Football Jacket, my hat with my son’s number, and my football pin.

Football fan mom
 
No one could call ME a pansy.

  Still friends

And Kathi let me into the Football Mom Club.  Finally…I was real.

Little did I know…

See, THIS week was homecoming.  And yes, I expected a big play or two.  Even brought in a few of my own.

Like these:  Football Earrings with MY son’s number!

  33

That’s right.  And just to show my extreme football commitment, I did this:

  Blue hair

BLUE HAIR!  And I brought in fresh blood – a daughter with BLUE HAIR too!  And she wore my son’s away game jersey. 

All in.  That’s me.  Playing for the win. 

Until…

Kathi and my previous Pea-Green Jacket Pal showed up to the game.  Laughing all the way. 

  Hugging moms with poms

DOUBLE TEAMED!!

Not only had Kathi rooted through her 20+ year old high school memorabilia, but she pulled out her CCHS cheerleader POM POMS and her LETTER JACKET!  And the little instigator/overachiever pulled her Cuz “Nicie” into the play who not only wore a practice jersey, but did this:

  Facepaint

FACEPAINT!  On a 40+ year old woman. 

I mean really, that’s just over the top. Have some dignity. 

And just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, I discovered THIS contraband at the game!

  Hidden radio

Apparently it’s so she can listen to the announcer call the game.  Probably just likes hearing her kid’s name over and over and over.  “Johnson on the sack.”   Whatever.

I don’t need a radio to know how awesome MY son is. (The one who made his own stellar sack.  Recovered a fumble.  Rushed in last week’s game for 122 yards and two touchdowns.  If someone kept track of that kind of thing.)

  Gram gramps

And then, of course, there’s the entire row of Grandmas.  I mean, how many Grandmas does one kid need?  And a grandpa too?  I’ll bet they aren’t even RELATED to Johnson.
(Oh, shoot, I’ll bet they are.  Everyone up here is related.)

But, not to fear…I may not have Pom Poms or face paint or even a Football Grandpa, but I still have a few tricks plays up my sleeve.

This season isn’t over yet…

Just you wait, Kathi Johnson, just you wait…

Still Scramblin’ Susie

Bring it.

Oct 4th 2010
Posted by Susan

Bring it, baby

I am a football mom.

I love being a football mom. I go to every game I can, even if it is four hours away. I sit in the rain, the snow, the sleet and I sing the school song.  I ice bruises and layer on antibiotic to cuts.  I talk through bad plays and listen to endless hours of strategy. I know the stats and formations of the opposing teams.  And I have the NFL channel playing in my kitchen.

I am a football mom.

Or…so I thought.

Until I met….Kathy. 

Kathy is also a football mom.  But see, Kathy had a son who graduated two years ago, so she’s been this route before (my son is only a sophomore…a STARTING sophomore.  Starting at Middle Linebacker and Fullback….but I digress….) so she knows that being a football mom isn’t just about listening to plays and driving to games and icing bruises.

It’s all about the look. 

I thought I had my act together until I arrived at the game and realized that I had NOT brought my A game to the stands.  I do not look like a football mom.

  Sad mom

And see, it’s not just about the gear…it’s about the details.

These details.

   Football mom

And don’t forget the earrings.  Earrings!! With her son’s number!

Cj earrings

Blindsided!  Blitzed for the tackle!

Worse, I looked around and discovered I was surrounded by the Varsity moms!

This is Lori.  Her son is the QB, #11. Her husband is the coach.

Lori is a football mom. 

Football gramma
 
Not only that, but she brought a GRANDMA to the game with her!  In fact, you can’t see it, but there is an entire ROW of grandmas back there. 

I don’t have a football grandma.

There are others like me in the stands.  Like my friend in the pathetic pea green coat.
 
Kathy pea green

Kathy sure looks gleeful.  Probably because her son just made a great tackle.

Whatever.

Fine, Kathy, if that’s how you want it. 

I will get the gear.  The blankie, the numbered hat, the button, the jacket…the earrings.  Maybe even a tattoo.  (Okay, maybe not, but…) I will not be benched.  Sidelined.  Sacked.

Because I am a football mom.

Game on, baby.

Susie “the Scrambler” May

A Friend in the Storm … Win a KINDLE!

Oct 2nd 2010
Posted by Susan

Hey friends – check out this sweet little book. Cheryl's creativity and heartfelt words jump right off the page. This book is the perfect gift for someone going through a rough patch or for anyone who needs a reminder of God's goodness.

Cheryl is also giving away a KINDLE in her "Share Your Storm" Contest – but hurry the contest is over on Monday. She's hosting a fun Facebook party on the evening of October 4th to chat with friends, new and old, give away signed copies of her book and gift certificates to Amazon.com. She'll also be announcing the winner of the KINDLE! Don't miss the festivities.

All the details here:

Cheryl Ricker is hosting this great contest over at her website during the blog tour for A Friend in the Storm, Zondervan’s latest innovative gift book of quotes, Scripture and poetry that leads to lasting hope!

Since this book covers matters of the heart, Cheryl wants to hear from YOUR heart! In the midst of any type of loss, grief or crisis, A Friend in the Storm takes you on a healing journey where you experience Christ’s love in a fresh, memorable way. Now she invites you to submit an original poem, story or snippet about a time when someone was a friend in your storm… and she's giving you the opportunity to win a KINDLE to do it!

Head on over to her Contest Page on her website to find out how to enter!

On October 3rd, she will randomly select one winner to receive a brand-new KINDLE! She's also choosing 5 more names at random to receive a signed copy of A Friend in the Storm! The winners will be announced at her Facebook Party on October 4th. The party will take place on Cheryl's Facebook "A Friend in the Storm" Page – go here for all the details.
Share Your Storm Kindle Giveaway

The Facebook Party will be a blast!  Not only will she be announcing the
Share Your Storm Kindle Giveaway winners, but she'll also be chatting with party goers, hosting fun trivia contests, and giving away even more prizes every 10 minutes – including signed copies of A Friend in the Storm, and gift certificates to Amazon.com and Starbucks.com!

Oh, and check this out – Cheryl is also giving away a $50 Amazon gift certificate! Simply help her spread the word about the contest; Facebook Party. Interested? It’s easy to enter! Here’s how:

Share this on FACEBOOK: Want to help someone who’s hurting? “A Friend in the Storm,” Zondervan’s latest gift book of quotes, Scripture and poetry, is helping thousands find lasting Hope! Go here http://ow.ly/2BYiN to enter to win a KINDLE!

Post this on TWITTER: A Friend in the Storm by @cherylricker heals hearts in tough times. Enter 2 win a KINDLE http://ow.ly/2BYiN here! #litfuse (You must use hashtag #litfuse to be entered.)
Share this as many times as you like – just email amy@litfusegroup.com by October 4th and let her know how many times you tweeted/shared on Facebook, twittered or blogged about the contest. Each ‘sharing’ represents one entry into the contest.

Another way to ‘share’ the contest is to add this button to your blog or website.  Adding the button is worth ten entries into the contest!
Simply copy and paste the code in the text box below into the html screen of your blog/website, then send Amy an email letting her know that you added it along with your URL and she’ll toss your extra entries into the pot.


Share Your Storm Kindle Giveaway