Monday, October 12, 2009

The 12 Books of Christmas - Tracy Ruckman


Today is Monday, and you may be among the millions looking forward to the kick off on Monday Night Football.

Well, I'm excited to announce that here at On the Write Track, there's a kick off, too. We're kicking off...

The 12 Books of Christmas!

With only 11 weeks until Christmas, I have enlisted the participation of 12 authors who have written Christmas-themed books and offering YOU a chance to win a copy! Cool, huh?

Only, it's even cooler. Maybe I should have titled this giveaway event The 12 Authors of Christmas because a couple of these authors have TWO books to give away, so the number of you who will walk away with a book is more than 12. Now THAT'S what I call cool!

Here's how it will work:

Every Monday, a new giveaway will be announced. You'll get a glimpse into the book that's up for grabs, plus you'll learn a little about the author. In addition to a bio, each author will share either a favorite Christmas memory or a favorite holiday recipe. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Winners will have until Friday at midnight to enter and the winners will be announced in a very brief post every Saturday morning. This means that you only have about 5 days to leave your comment. So be sure to check back each week to enter every giveaway. The more you enter, the better your chances are to win! The best bet is to subscribe to my blog so you'll get a reminder email when my blog is updated. Then you can just click on the link and enter! Anything to make it simple, right?

To kick off this Christmas book giveaway event, I introduce you to a good friend of mine, Tracy Ruckman, who will be giving away a wonderful Christmas book called, Christmas Miracles. This book releases this week and is sure to become a family favorite.

Here's a synopsis:



Celebrate the season of hope and miracles with these inspiring true stories that will warm the heart and touch the soul…

A man lies gravely ill in the hospital on Christmas when he hears angels singing and immediately makes a full recovery. A little boy with dyslexia sits down to read a Christmas book and realizes that his disability has vanished. And a woman’s faith is renewed by the chance discovery of a simple nativity set.

Many ordinary people experience God’s grace during those special moments when Christmas becomes more than just a holiday, but a time for miracles. Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson bring you the real-life stories of everyday people who have experienced these life-changing moments of hope, comfort, and transformation—all during the most wonderful time of the year.
Tracy’s story, “Miracle of the Nativity” reminds us all that God is still very much involved in the tiniest details of our lives, even in the hardest of times.
_____________________________________________________________


Tracy's Favorite Christmas memory:

Well, besides the events surrounding the Nativity scene told in Christmas Miracles, I have several, so it’s going to be hard to narrow it down. Okay if I share two?

The first memory goes back to my childhood. Every year, my dad’s mother, Nanny, would come visit us during the holidays. On Christmas Eve, after dinner and baths, Nanny would turn off the lights in the kitchen and dining room, and turn on the Christmas tree lights. Our tree was always in the dining area (it was one large eat-in kitchen.) Then she would go to the stove, turn on the dim hood light, and make the most delicious hot chocolate – from milk and Nestle’s Quik. LOL! Then she poured it into our special Christmas mugs, and served us (my sister, brother, and me) at the table. As we sat in the glow of the Christmas tree, she told us stories, sang Christmas songs, and told us the story of Jesus’ birth. It was the perfect way to wind us down and a memory I’ll always cherish.

The second memory is much more recent. Several years ago, our whole family went through some very trying times, all individually, but it caused a lot of strain in many relationships. In 2007, my two sons and one future daughter-in-law came to visit us for an early Christmas celebration. Having everyone together for the first time in several years, and for the first time in our new home – well, it was a memory that still causes me to bawl. We cooked, we ate, we laughed, we visited, I cried. Very special, indeed. God blesses us in such tremendous ways, doesn’t He?







Tracy Ruckman is a freelance editor, writer, and photographer. She owns Write Integrity Editorial Services and WIES Workshops, which offers online writing courses year-round.

She hosts the popular Pix-N-Pens blog for writers, editors, and photographers, and she is the National Christian Writing Examiner for TheExaminer.com.

Tracy is the blessed wife of an incredible husband and the proud mom of two grown sons and one spoiled rotten dog. She loves to travel, fish, garden, and read - and usually has her camera with her at all times.


**Contest disclaimer: Void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents. Odds of winning depend on number of entrants. Only one book allowed per person throughout the duration of the event.

28 comments:

Jo said...

This book sounds very interesting and it is always so wonderful to read about all the miracles that do happen to people.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)COM

Janny said...

I'm a sucker for Christmas books, and this one sounds like a three-tissue job for sure. Count me in!

:-)
Thanks,
Janny
jbutler824(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I Love Christmas stories, and this one sounds wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win!

JJ said...

This is an awesome idea! Thanks.

I would like to do this on my blog for the Holiday Gift Guide but I don't have the time to read all the books and review them. lol


gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

Pamela Hamer said...

Christmas is a season for miracles and generosity. I think with our economy the way it is many people will go back to handmade items and realize the true meaning even more. Love, hope, family is what Christmas is all about. Thanks Lynda for the opportunity to win these books. pjhamer117(at)gmail(dot)com

PatriciaW said...

Count me in. I'm big on Christmas-themed books. What a fun giveaway!

Erin said...

This sounds like a wonderful story, thanks for sharing it!

ellybean at connected2christ dot com

quietspirit said...

Lynda:
Among the types of books I read, I enjoy books that warm my heart. I believe a good Christmas book will do that.

cll4him(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Rose McCauley said...

I love Christmas books, and this one sound slike a special one indeed! I have met Cec Murphy at a writer's conference once. I've also only met Tracy once, but I consider her a dear friend and prayer partner, so would love to win this book! crmcc at setel dot com

Anonymous said...

This book sounds so good...please enter me. Thanks.
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Christina Tarabochia said...

Lynda, remember when you left a comment on Cathy Bryant's blog a month or so ago?

You won a free copy of The Familiar Stranger!

Send your mailing address to christina [at] christinaberry [dot] net and I'll get that puppy right off to you. :D

Ronie Kendig said...

What a neat contest idea, Tracy! I can't believe it's already nearing the Holidays...and this is such a cool thing to usher it in!

stephanie said...

I love Christmas books, and I would be so excited to see what Tracy story Tracy wrote.

Anonymous said...

I love books with a Christmas theme and look forward to spending November and December trying to read all of the new ones! This book sounds like a keeper. We all need to be reminded of the miracles that God gives us and not just at Christmas time. This book will definitely be on my BUY list, if I'm not fortunate enough to be a winner!!

choco1950(at)netins(dot)net

Anonymous said...

The last comment was written by Carol. Forgot to sign my name!

Carol

ossmcalc said...

I love Christmas stories and would like to start enjoying the Christmas season again, especially for my three year old grandson. My mother died on December 19 and never got to know her great grandson. She would want me to bring joy back into the season.

ShellyH said...

Looks like a fabulous read Lynda! I was reading several things on your blog this evening, great job!

Ravish30(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a 'must-read' this holiday season! Enjoyed reading about your Christmas memories, Tracy.

God bless,
Maria

The Demille's said...

I love Christmas books and this looks like a great one! Thanks for the chance!
Thanks,
Rachel
rachel_demille@yahoo.com

Julie J. said...

This sounds like a great book. Please enter me in the contest.

Julie
faithfulgirl4[at]gmail[dot]com

Cherie J said...

I love Christmas books this time of the year. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of what sounds like a wonderful book.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Coleene VanTilburg said...

Thanks so much for the info on the book "A Novel Idea" It sounds like something I would want to get my hands on right away.

Thnaks also for the great interview and heads-up on the great new books out there...more to add to my reading list! Keep blogging and informing! Coleene

Deborah M said...

Fall is here and I'm ready for some good Christmas stories. Please enter me in the contest.
Deborah M.
debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Sounds great. I love Christmas books, but than I love the Christmas holiday an it stands for, what a sacriface given to us. Please enter me. Blessings.

tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

Thanks so much for this wonderful giveaway. I collect Christmas books, so please count me in.

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed reading the comments. This is the time of year I read my holiday books.
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

Linda Owen said...

God is in the smallest of details and in the most difficult of times..oh, so true. I'm sure Tracy's story brings miracles to every heart who reads it. Merry Christmas to you both, Lynda and Tracy, all year long.

Tracy Ruckman said...

Thanks so much, Lynda, for hosting such a fun contest! And thank you readers for all your kind words and encouragement! You are such a blessing.

We'll be announcing another huge contest next week on Pix-N-Pens, so come on over Monday to check it out. You could win one of three cash prizes, a huge box of books, or a copy of Christmas Miracles!