Winner!
And the winner of April Gardner’s Wounded Spirits is . . .
Charlotte Kay! (chakasa58@ . . .)
Congrats, Charlotte! I’m emailing you now.
Story Time . . . For the Season
Every year, a whole new slew of Christmas books hit the shelves. Novels, gift books, inspirational non-fiction . . . you name it, you can find it.
Some years I’m reading Christmas books from September onward. Some years (like this one–sigh) I never get around to picking one up.
Last year my favorite novel for the theme was Loree Lough’s Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska. It wasn’t only for Christmas, mind you, as the story spanned several months . . . but it was set in the town “where it’s Christmas all year round!” so, you know. Excellent for the season. =)
Although I gotta say, my all-time favorite Christmas story is from that most excellent wordsmith, Dr. Seuss. How the Grinch Stole Christmas just can’t be beaten. We’ve already read it several times this year, and I imagine we’ll squeeze in a few more. =)
So how about you? What are you favorite books to settle down with this time of year?
Modern . . . Christmas Songs
Holiday spirit, you know. =)
Let’s chat Christmas songs! (I totally stole this topic from my friend Carole of Sunnybank Meanderings. Thanks for the idea, Carole!!)
My all time favorite is Silent Night. The English translation came about in 1859, so, see, this is modern–it comes after my current historicals. 😉 I also adore O Holy Night, One Small Child, and What Child Is This?
If we’re talking genuinely modern, then I gotta give a shout-out to Mary Did You Know, which is not only gorgeous, but has tingle-inspiring lyrics. I’m currently practicing this one to sing at our Christmas Eve service.
What are your favorite Christmas songs, be they hymns, modern takes, or featuring that jolly red elf?
My Friend Delia – Contest and Quick Look
Today I’m pleased to welcome Delia Latham to my blog. We’re all so busy with the holiday season that today I’m just going to keep it short and simple. Below you’ll find a message from Delia about her fantabulous giveaway package, a description of her latest book, Destiny’s Dream, and a little teaser to get you hooked. =)
I haven’t yet read this one (though I want to!!!!) but have read Delia’s work before, and it was wonderful. I appreciate an author who can pack a punch of a story into a small amount of words–something I can NOT do! LOL. Delia has that gift, and you don’t want to miss her wonderful romances!
And since today is the OFFICIAL RELEASE of Destiny’s Dream, I feel super-privileged to get Delia over here today!!
I hope everyone’s gearing up for a very Merry Christmas!
~*~
CONTEST:
The Daughters of Destiny contest will be underway as of December 1. In lieu of giveaways from blog to blog, I’m encouraging all of you to visit my contest page and take part in this giveaway. I also encourage you to tell your friends about it…and their friends…and theirs! J I have TWO absolutely stunning decorative bottles, AND a wonderful, aromatic anointing oil to go in them. The contest has two parts. One decorative bottle/anointing oil will be awarded in each part. There are ample opportunities build up your entries, so come on over and check it out!
Sounds great, Delia! (And oooh! A giveaway I can actually enter! LOL)
~*~
About Destiny’s Dream
Is a little respect too much to ask at a parent’s funeral?
Apparently it is for Destiny May. Clay Gallagher is built like a small mountain and far more vocal than is fitting when he shows up late to her mother’s “going away party.” When it turns out he’s not even at the right funeral, Destiny demands retribution in the form of an escape from the day’s dreary proceedings. Spending time with a handsome stranger who makes her laugh is more therapeutic than fighting with her overbearing family.
Clay finds Destiny beautiful, charming…and intelligent. So why is she stubbornly determined to open a Christian dating service? Clay has little respect for such a frivolous profession, and doesn’t think the small, conservative town of Castle Creek will welcome such a progressive business. But when Destiny is threatened by an anonymous caller who deeply resents her and what she does for a living, Clay makes it his business to keep the saucy redhead out of harm’s way.
Trouble is, spending time in her company weakens his defenses, and Destiny may be the one thing Clay can’t escape…if he even wants to.
~*~
About Delia
DELIA LATHAM is a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. While she considers each of these roles important ones, she treasures most of all her role as a child of the King and an heir to the throne.
A former newspaper staff writer, Delia promised herself a novel for years, while raising her four children, working at various jobs and writing the occasional article, poem, or song. She fulfilled that promise when Vintage Romance Publishing released Goldeneyes in 2008. A Christian historical romance with a touch of the divine, Goldeneyes is set in the farm country of the author’s childhood, and therefore close to her heart. In 2010, White Rose Publishing released Yesterday’s Promise in electronic format, and Destiny’s Dream in print and e-format. A children’s book will be available early in 2011.
Delia grew up in Weedpatch, a tiny agricultural community near Bakersfield, in California’s San Joaquin Valley. She and her husband Johnny recently transplanted from that area to Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.
Find out more at:
Destiny’s Dream is available at White Rose Publishing and Amazon.
~*~
Sneak Peak of Destiny’s Dream
The dim porch light revealed her smile. “I had a wonderful evening, Gallagher. Thank you.”
Clay’s eyes were fixed on her lips. Could they possibly be as soft as they looked? With a monumental effort, he managed to tear his gaze upward, only to find her green eyes every bit as magnetic.
He tugged gently on a loose tendril of hair. “I’m glad, ma jolie dame. Maybe we can do it again?”
Lowering her gaze, she spoke so softly he almost missed it. “I’ll look forward to it, monsieur.”
Just when Clay thought he couldn’t resist at least a brush of those inviting lips with his own, Destiny’s spontaneous humor—apparently never far from the surface—prevented him from losing control. Her lips parted in an enchanting smile and she shrugged one shoulder. “I’m afraid that’s all the French I know, and I only learned it tonight.”
Clay chuckled. So now what? Should he just say good night and go? Should he kiss her? Man, I can’t believe how much I want to kiss her. Shake her hand?
He settled for pulling her into a gentle hug, making it possible to drop a feather-light kiss onto her hair. I think I like you far too much, pretty lady. Grinning in the dusky darkness, he decided it was all right to say the words aloud. “Je crois que je vous aime bien trop, la jolie dame.” Stepping back, he took the key from her unresisting fingers and opened the door. With a final touch—the brush of a finger under her chin—he turned and walked away.
He almost reached his car door before she called out, just as he’d hoped she would. “Clay?”
He turned.
“What was it you said?”
He sent her a little grin he hoped was mysterious, raised a hand in farewell, then slid behind the wheel and drove away. A fellow had a right to keep a thing or two to himself.
If you want more, check it out at White Rose!
Winner!
And the winner of Grace Bridges’ Legendary Space Pilgrims is . . .
Pegg Thomas! (twinwillowsfarm@ . . .)
Congrats, Pegg! I’m emailing you now.
About Me
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. Having successfully launched two homeschool grads, she now spends her time writing fiction, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years, as well as a fantasy series and contemporary mysteries and romances. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.