An early Merry Christmas present going out to Karen K...

who won a copy of A Door County Christmas by Eileen Key, Becky Melby, Rachael Phillips and Cynthia Ruchti--a wonderful read that is sure to get her in the Christmas mood! And for those of you who didn't win, put this book on your wish list or go buy it as an early present for yourself!

Everyone with a US mailing addy who leaves a comment in the month of December (except for Karen K.) will be eligible to win an ARC copy of Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson Taylor.

Here's the back cover blurb to give you an inkling of what it is about:
Scotland, 1473. Highland Warrior, Bryce MacPhearson kidnaps Akira MacKenzie on her wedding day to honor a promise he made to his dying father. When he forces Akira to wed him, hoping to end a half-century old feud between their clans, she struggles to overcome her anger and resentment. Yet her strength in the Lord becomes a witness to Bryce. But there is a traitor in their midst...and murder is the ultimate weapon.

Sounds great, doesn't it?

This book was provided to me by Abingdon Press to use as a giveaway for promotional purposes.

Winner of goodness gracious green is...cheryl linn martin

I am waiting to hear from her. If I do not hear back by next Sunday night, I will have my husband pick another name.

My apologies for being a couple days late posting this month. My hubby and I just returned from a week in Florida yesterday afternoon. We came from temps in the high 80s to the low 40s. Brrr! No big trips planned for the rest of the year, so leave a post anytime in Oct. and check back on Nov. 1st to see who wins an ARC copy of The Narrow Path by Gail Sattler.

I just saw Gail in Indianapolis a couple weeks ago at the ACFW conference and her dark hair had streaks of red this year. Wonder what color it will be the next time I see her!?! You never know with Gail! She is also a mean bass guitar player who helps lead worship for our ACFW conferences.

Gail Sattler has written 21 novels, and 12 novellas, numerous giftbooks and cookbooks and short pieces in other anthologies. She is a member of a Mennonite Brethren church. In The Narrow Path her characters struggle to find a way to make peace in order to meet their goal of opening the doors of the hero's Old Order Mennonite church. This story deals with a universal question--Can two people from different worlds find love somewhere in the middle?

I hope you will want to read this story and find out. If you don't win, you can always order a copy from Abingdon Press or your local Christian bookstore or online.

This copy was provided by Abingdon Press for promotional/review purposes.

Book Winner and July's book---They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti

I only posted three times last month due to a family vacation (you'll hear more about that next week) and several other things going on in our family, but I do want to post the winner of the drawing for the June giveaway--Mary DeMuth. As soon as I receive her mailing address, the book Finding Jeena by Sharlene MacLaren will be on its way to her.

This month's drawing will be for an ARC copy of Cynthia Ruchti's debut novel--They Almost Always Come Home. This copy was provided by Abingdon Press for promotional purposes which is one of the reasons I do a monthly book drawing--to introduce authors and their books to readers who maybe haven't had the chance to "meet" them yet.

I am so happy to have the opportunity to help promote Cynthia Ruchti's book. Cynthia was one of the first people I met at my first ACFW conference in Kansas City in 2002. She is a delightful person, and I've enjoyed our contacts at the conference and also reading the Backyard Friends magazine which is an outgrowth of The Heartbeat of the Home radio broadcast she has been involved in for many years. She also directed our ACFW choir several years and now serves as President of American Christian Fiction Writers. And she is very gifted and talented at all of these endeavors.

So, I can't wait to read this intriguing sounding novel. I have parts of three other books already started (not counting 2 Bible studies! Does anyone else do this?), so this book is number 4 in my TBR pile, and I plan to finish reading it before I have to mail it off to a blessed winner next month. To be entered in the drawing, just leave a comment on any post this month along with your email info so I can contact you if your named is picked. Everyone with an American email is eligible except last month's winner.

To whet your appetite to read this book like it did mine, I will share the first sentence of the back cover: "She would leave her husband...if she could find him." Want to read more? I do. Good thing tomorrow is my happy birthday so I plan to fore go most of my usual activities (except going out to eat with my hubby!) and try to finish at least one of the other books so I can start this one! Happy reading, everyone!