Giveaway of My Christmas book "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts" giveaway

Cathy Messecar and I are giving away two copies of our co-authored Christmas book "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday". To enter to win just leave a comment here and for a chance to win a second copy leave a comment on
Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts blog
Here is what one kind reviewer wrote:

"This book took my breath away. Truly beautiful, unique, heartwarming. It's one of those books I'll treasure from year to year, reading and re-reading the stories within until I know them by heart. It has a hodgepodge of everything - recipes, inspirational stories, Christmas tips, poetry, projects. I'm not sure how they packed so much into 160 pages, but it's an overflowing chest full of treasures!"

We will select the two winners Dec. 6 using random.org and will mail it quickly so you will get it before Christmas. There are lots of easy, fun and cheap tips in our book to make celebrating Christmas a joy, and we put Jesus at the center of this holiday.

Here is what another reviewer wrote:

This book celebrates the birth of Christ, includes Scripture and plenty of ideas for family activities, craft projects, recipes including Baklava and A Dunkin’ Cookie, easy gifts to make, green Christmas tips, poems and lots more. Stories include a 1^st Christmas with adopted children, a reunion with a prodigal son at Waffle House, and camping in the Florida Everglades swamp for the holiday.

Leave your comment here and on our shared blog full of Christmas tips or visit 
Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts  to read reviews and see more about our book. 

Christmas Book Give Away

Hi Friends,
I am giving away one copy of my book "A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday".
This is a pretty book with silvery stars on the cover, full color on each page, and it is full of fun and frugal tips for celebrating Christmas, family activities, ideas for helping your kids learn to share with others in need, delish recipes, our favorite Christmas themed books and movies and also my green thumb tips in each chapter.
How to grow amaryllis, Christmas cactus, myrrh, and how to nurture living Christmas trees, and much more.
My co-authors share lots of super ideas from how to create a Santa chair to their favorite charity to support and the practice of giving children three gifts, as the three kings gave to Jesus.
For a chance to win, leave a comment on this post.
I use random.org to select a winner.
The winner will be announced November 9.
No matter what country you live in you are eligible, dear friends.
Here is a link to lots of reviews, and to where you can buy the book
Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Oh, and for a second chance to win, visit our book's blog and leave a comment there too.
Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts blog There are 400 posts there, with many ideas, recipes, etc.

Book give away funny senior moments

I admit it, I am a woman "of a certain age", and this book made me laugh at funny senior moments O'Connor includes in it. Not that I personally have had  any senior moments, ha ha. 

I am giving away a copy of this book to one person who comments, and I use random.org to choose the winner. The copy I am giving away is a print copy.

Here is my review of this book:

A Laugh a Day

"365 Senior Moments You’d Rather Forget" by Karen O’Connor

You are sure to find some giggle worthy moments recounted in this book, and I suggest it as a gift for your friends and relatives who are of “a certain age” and who have a sense of humor about aging.

Here are a few moments O’Connor shares in the book:
“Depositing your to-do list in the ATM slot instead of a check.”
“Leaving your house key in the front door and then going to sleep feeling totally secure.”
Or this one “Writing a reminder note and then forgetting to read it.” Ha ha, this one could happen to me.

The book is only five inches tall and four inches across, a handy size for carrying in a purse to read while waiting for an appointment or for mailing to some lucky person.

So leave a comment for a chance to win. 
I will announce the winner on Oct. 2.

Here's a senior moment that happened to my friend years ago, that still makes me laugh. She was 80 at the time, and returned home from grocery shopping, put her groceries away and went on with her day. But she soon realized she could NOT find her car and house keys.

She searched high and low and no keys. Eventually she found her keys when she opened her freezer to take out food for dinner. She put the keys in the freezer, poor darling, and was happy to find them!
Chance for you to win, just leave a comment.

Book Giveaway "A Still and Quiet Soul" by Cathy Messecar

I am giving away one copy of a book filled with powerful and helpful ideas, and titled "A Still and Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment" by Cathy Messecar.
She has a lovely interview published here http://farmscribepeace.blogspot.com/
Here is the first part of that interview (you can read all of it at the above link).

Author Interview: Cathy Messecar, A Still and Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment

Please welcome Cathy Messecar to my blog; she's an author and ten year veteran newspaper columnist for Houston Community Newspapers, The Courier (over 500 columns). I am blessed to have her as a friend, and we even wrote our Christmas book together. Her newest release, A Still and Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment is perfect for individual, Bible study groups, or book clubs who prefer inspirational nonfiction. Cathy will share about her newest book, writing career, and let us in on a few fun facts about her life:

1. Why did you choose to write about contentment?

Thank you for hosting this interview and helping to get the word out about, A Still and Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment. I chose the topic of contentment for several reasons: a) I saw how God had taken me on a journey from everyday frustrations to a more complete trust in his care. b) As I researched the topic, I found that little had been written for Christians along this line in the last two decades. c) I saw a real need in the young and old around me, who seemed to hand-wring, worry, and complain about a lot of things while living in one of the most affluent nations in the world. d) I felt that God could use me, my experiences, and my faith as a reminder to others to watch for God's holy intervention into their lives. e) Finally, when contentment abides within, it becomes an attractant to those who might not have a relationship with God. When we are content, no matter the chaos or calm of our outward circumstances, God lives through us to draw others to him.

 

Now, this rest of the post is written by lil ole me, Terra.
Like me, do you yearn to be more content? When we are content we radiate joy to everyone we encounter. The author has written short, easy to understand chapters with intriguing titles including “Bedazzled” and “One More Lap Around Mount Sinai”. I like her simple to implement tips, and also the story she includes in each chapter about an experience of hers, or of a friend.

I immediately put into practice her ideas on “over-possessions” and “enoughness”, and did some quick decluttering. I made the top of my bureau attractive by organizing the clutter. Now I smile when I see how nice it looks, and it cost no money and took only 15 minutes to organize.

Bible stories and verses are included in her book, and I love her idea of putting the word “Jesus” at the top of to do lists.

The author has given me a copy to give away here; just leave a comment by April 4 for a chance to win this sweet book. I use random.org to select the winner. I want you all to win!

Last Christian, suspense novel giveaway

I read an exciting novel, set in A.D. 2088, and titled "The Last Christian", written by David Gregory. The author wrote a best selling novel "Dinner With a Perfect Stranger".

The United States, in this work of fiction, has abandoned the Christian religion, and the world is on the brink of disaster. A scientist has decided to kill a billion people to push the survivors in to adopting his invention. The heroine is Abby Caldwell, who was raised by her parents in a remote village in the South Pacific. Abby is a devoted Christian who travels to the United States and experiences culture shock.

This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group, and I am giving my copy to one person who leaves a comment here. I pick the winner using random.org

Abby inadvertently breaks the Tolerance Act of 2036, when she spoke critically about other religions on a news show, and she faces being arrested for that. This act reminds me of recent actual laws which ban hate speech, both in the USA and in Australia.

Sometimes fiction, even science fiction, is eerily predictive of what could happen.

http://www.randomhouse.com/gm/results.pperl?x=0&y=0&title_subtitle_auth_isbn=last+christian 
So if you are interested leave a comment here for a chance to win a copy of this novel. 
Someone will win, and that winner could be you :)

.

Books giveaway 100 followers

Fireworks #1
Originally uploaded by Camera Slayer

I am so happy to celebrate having 100 followers, each one of you so dear and sweet.

What can I do to celebrate this auspicious occasion?

Give away a few of my favorite things: Books, yes, books.

Leave a comment here for a chance to win:

1.Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. If you haven't read this one you are in for a treat. A fabulous lady solves mysteries and takes you in to her beloved country of Botswana. The first in a series.

2. The Tale of Hill Top Farm: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. Ms. Potter and her pets are all characters who solve a mystery. Set in 1905 in the country home where Beatrix Potter lived. The first in a series. It is fascinating to eavesdrop on the animals chatting amongst themselves.

3. Treasured: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy. The author guides us in finding tangible reminders of God's active presence in our own lives.For my review of this book see my post of 12/3/09.
Leave one comment here for an entry to win one book, and note which book you would like; if you are a follower tell me and you will have an extra entry. Winners announced March 22.

free copy of Thin Places by Mary DeMuth

Mary DeMuth’s memoir, Thin Places, shows her readers that she is a powerful writer, not afraid to tackle very dark places in her life, and to walk us through how she gradually became a strong and beautiful wife and mom.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/031028418X
DeMuth faced pain in her childhood, including being raped, the death of her father, and a mother who, to put it kindly, lacked mothering skills. When her mom found the author crying  a while after the death of her dad, her mom did not hug her, but told her it was time to get over that.
I admire how DeMuth incorporates Christian understanding as she heals, and now this book will help others heal. How did she gain the courage to write these hard words? My own childhood was sheltered and sweet, but everyone goes through heart ache and I can empathize with her tribulations. This author, instead of staying stuck in suffering and silence, shares her unusually difficult journey and gives readers encouraging words and ideas for healing.
For all who enjoy memoirs, stories of harsh childhoods and learning tools for becoming a joyful wife and mom, I recommend this book.
I will give away one copy of Thin Places by using random.org to select the winner among commenters on this post. The publisher supplied me with this copy. Thank you publishers, and the winner will be selected on Saturday February 13.

children's book giveaway God Gave Us Christmas & God Gave Us Love

The author, Lisa Tawn Bergren, wrote 2 lovely children's books, "God Gave Us Christmas" and "God Gave Us Love", each featuring the polar bear family.
I will send one of these books to one bloggy friend who leaves a comment here by Dec. 8, 2009 and that person can choose which book. Yes, each of you who leave a comment on my blog, is a bloggy friend of mine.
"God Gave Us Christmas", ideal for ages 2-9, begins when a baby polar bear asks "Who 'vented Christmas? Was it Santa Claus?". Little Cub goes on a hike with Mama Bear, and sees God's creations, including dancing lights in the sky and learns that God created this holiday.

In "God Gave Us Love", also for ages 2-9, Little Cub and Grampa Bear have a fishing adventure, and Little Cub learns about loving even the unlovable, and how all love comes ultimately from God.
Any child would love having these books read to them, or reading them on their own.
The books were provided for review by Multnomah Random House Publishing.
Leave comment for chance to win one of these two sweet books.

ttp://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400071753

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074471

Winners of the two books are ...

Insert trumpet flare here, please
Ta da!
Kat at Heart2Heart won the copy of Thirsty and Jennifer won the copy of Touched by a vampire.
Congratulations, and my next book giveaway will feature a Christmas book for children, among others.

Faith and Fangs, Thirsty, book giveaway

Today is the first day of the book blog tour for the novel "Thirsty" by Tracey Bateman.
This book was provided by the publisher and I am giving away one copy to one lucky commenter.
"Thirsty" has a vampire main character in it, and a human heroine, and a Christian perspective. Nina Parker is the center of this novel. She is 3 months sober, just out of alcohol rehab, and living 3 states away from her ex-husband and their two children.
There's no place like home, they say.

"Hello, I'm Nina Parker…and I'm an alcoholic."

For Nina, it's not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She must face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier–and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone–or something–igniting a two-hundred-fifty-year-old desire that rages like a wildfire.

Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Her daughter wants to spend time with the parents Nina left behind. A terrifying event that has haunted Nina for almost twenty years begins to surface. And an alluring neighbor initiates an unusual friendship with Nina, but is Markus truly a kindred spirit or a man guarding dangerous secrets?

As everything she loves hangs in the balance, will Nina's feeble grasp on her demons be broken, leaving her powerless against the thirst? The battle between redemption and obsession unfold to its startling, unforgettable end. Markus is an old vampire who is obsessed with love for Nina, since she looks like the lady love of his life, who died long ago, and another vampire wants the love and allegiance of Markus, and will kill anyone who thwarts her desires.
This is the first novel I have read by a Christian author, where the novel has a vampire in it. The author did a great job of welcoming the reader in to her characters' world and entertaining the reader.
Two other novels feature a Christian writer's take on merging the vampire legend with Christianity, Eric Wilson's Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy and John Olson's Shade. I will keep a lookout for these two, now that I have read "Thirsty."
The publisher has given me one copy of "Thirsty" to give to one person who leaves a comment on my blog, and who I will select using random.org

When God Turned Off the Lights book give away

Cecil Murphey has written many books and I am pleased to offer a free copy of his newest book to one of you, my dear readers.
The book "When God Turned Off the Lights" is about helping us face dark despair, doubting that God could love us because we fall short as Christians, and being disappointed with God for not fixing things as we want.
The author describes three times in his own life, when he was suffering and in deep despair, while pretending to be a cheerful Christian, and teaching Sunday school, writing Christian books and advising others.
Most of us have probably kept up a happy facade at times, so that when suffering and someone asks how we are we smile and say "Fine, fine."
He shares here his insights from his new perspective of happiness, and tips for changing so that God will turn on the lights. One thing he began to do was to thank God for 10 things before getting out of bed in the morning. This set a better tone for his day.
I began doing this and find it is enjoyable to find ten good things in my life, before starting my day, and each day I find a few new things that make me smile to add to my list.
Midway through his journey and this book, the author writes "God's provision is based on unconditional love - not on my faithfulness. I was getting closer to the light." He explains that God knows us and our faults, and loves us anyway. He loves us even when we are flawed, which is a great relief, and accepting this is part of the journey out of the darkness and into the light.

For a chance to win a free copy, leave a comment here. If you become a follower or are already one, you will have two chances to win. I use random.org to select the winner.
http://www.amazon.com/When-God-Turned-Off-Lights/dp/0830751556/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254346707&sr=1-1

Saturdays with Stella

I love this book and I don't even have a dog! My two cats have my husband and I trained, but this is a fun book for anyone to read. I learned when reading Saturdays with Stella, that God is as patient with us as a good owner is with their little doggie, and that most of us exhibit negative traits, like fear, lack of trust, being self-centered that dog trainers deal with.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601421397






Sometimes your best four-legged friend is also your best teacher

When you bring a new dog into your home, a wash of great joy can become a trial of perseverance as your furry pal chews, digs, yaps, and yes, piddles her way through every room in the house. Allison Pittman learned this all too well when she adopted a “tiny, shiny puppy of indefinable breed(s).” Stella wasted no time in turning her home upside-down as only a pup can.

As could be expected, six weeks of obedience school covered the much needed basics–sit, stay, come, and down. What Allison didn’t expect was the spiritual benefit she would receive as each Saturday lesson revealed a fascinating metaphor. In this heart-warming, thoughtful, and often hilarious tribute to her beloved Stella, Allison Pittman shares how she came to understand what it means to follow the ultimate Master, including how to:

Sit!–at the feet of Jesus and listen for His voice
Drop It!–and let go of personal agendas
Come!–when it’s time to run in the right direction
Stay!–in God’s presence

In Saturdays with Stella, a slightly neurotic yet curiously adorable canine will not only capture your heart–she’ll show you how captivating you are to God.

Author Bio:

Allison Pittman is the author of the three books in the popular Crossroads of Grace series. Before her life as a novelist, Allison spent sixteen years teaching high school English. A founding member and copresident of the Christian Writer’s Group of the Greater San Antonio area, she devotes her time inspiring other writers to work toward their goals and sharpen their skills. Allison lives in Universal City , Texas with her husband Mike, their three sons, and Stella.


One person who leaves a comment here will be chosen at random, to receive a free copy of this delightful book. You and your dog are guaranteed to learn something within these pages.

Gayle Roper book giveaway and review

Fatal Deduction by Gayle Roper
I am happy to take part in this opportunity to review Fatal Deduction and offer a free copy of this book to one of my blog readers. Her publisher was generous and gave me a copy to review and give to one of my blog readers. I will select the winner from the people who leave a comment on this blog post this week.

“I opened the front door at 5 a.m. on a July Thursday and stepped into murder.” With this opening sentence, you can expect excitement, and you won’t be disappointed.

Gayle Roper takes readers into the world of Libby Keating, her 13 year old daughter Chloe, and the extreme ups and downs of Libby’s life. Libby got pregnant as a teenager and never did get married, so this is a story of a single mom, who is now a devoted Christian, whose family and especially her twin sister, Tori, treat her badly.

I am a gardener, and appreciated what Libby said, while looking at her flower box. “Life’s like a flower box, isn’t it?” She looked at him. “The brilliant blooms of joy and the past-their-prime moments of pain. You can’t have one without the other.”

Little does Libby expect the mayhem and tests of love that she will face. Kidnapping, threats to her sister Lori in the form of foreboding crossword puzzle clues, a charming single dad who becomes her neighbor, culminating in a wild rescue attempt by a mismatched group including a senior lady with a pistol in her purse.

Did I mention a potential love story developing between two wary people? Stolen jewelry and gambling debts? A cute relationship between Libby and her teenaged daughter? Pick up a copy of “Fatal Deduction” and see how this all plays out.

Free copy of Healing Promises offered

Hi All,
A heads up that the author, Amy Wallace, and her publisher have given me a copy of her new book "Healing Promises" to give away to a lucky commenter on this blog.
The book is a Christian thriller/suspense novel, and WAIT until May 16-18 to post a comment here.
I plan to post a review written by me here May 16, and a photo of the cover.
Until then, happy gardening.
Hey, any garden authors out there that have a gardening book to give to Terra Garden readers?