Monday, September 27, 2010

Kicking Off the 12 Books of Christmas Giveaway with author, Janelle Mowery


Well, it's Monday, and you know what that means. At least, you do if you read Friday's post. It is the beginning of THE 12 BOOKS OF CHRISTMAS, a giveaway event, where 12 wonderful Christian authors will be giving away their Christmas-themed books over the course of 12 weeks (which will take you right up to the week before Christmas!)

So are you ready for Author and Giveaway #1?

Me, too!

First, a little about this week's featured author, Janelle Mowery (including her favorite holiday recipe!) followed by details about her book, A Woodland Christmas, and specific giveaway info.

Born and raised in southern Minnesota, Janelle Mowery spent hours reading a great many books during her childhood years. Janelle now resides in Texas with her husband of twenty-one years and their two sons. Her love of history, mystery, and stories led her toward her dream of writing novels. When she's not writing, she loves reading, watching movies, researching history, and spending time in the great outdoors. To learn more about Janelle and her upcoming releases, visit her Web site at www.janellemowery.com.


FUN HOLIDAY QUESTIONNAIRE:

Favorite Christmas carol: I think I'd have to say O Holy Night is my favorite Christmas carol. As with most authors, it's the words that speak to me more than the music.

A family Christmas tradition: We don't do anything outstanding. The gifts under the tree are opened Christmas eve night and we receive what's in the stockings Christmas morning.

A memorable gift you've given or received: I can't help but smile at this question. The gift I remember most is when I received Alice in Wonderland as a child. The book was huge, easily a foot wide and over a foot long. The cover was a glossy hardback. I loved that book and spent hours with it. I even had my picture taken with it. I think it was that book that opened my world to stories and imagination.

Favorite Christmas television show or movie? I have two favorites, a classic and a relatively new movie. I love It's a Wonderful Life. As for the new movie, there was one year I had a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit. A friend told me she had the same problem one year until she watched The Polar Express and that I needed
to watch it. It was great advice.

When do you start your holiday shopping? I don't start shopping for Christmas until after my youngest son's birthday, which is the middle of November.

Ever been kissed under the mistletoe? Sure, but since we rarely have mistletoe in our house, it doesn't happen often.

Do you deck the halls in style or keep it simple? I used to go all out when our sons were young. I'd hang lights from the house, down the driveway and along the fence. Now that our sons are grown, I keep it simple with just a tree, a nativity, stockings over the fireplace, and a wreath on the door.

What food do you overindulge in during the holidays? My weakness is fried turkey and dressing with gravy...and mashed potatoes...and green beans...and fresh baked rolls...and, well, need I say more? I overindulge on all the food until I have no room for dessert. Then we take a walk so we can do the same thing again that night. LOL. This happens for Thanksgiving AND Christmas.


Speaking of food...here's one of Janelle's favorite holiday recipes:

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie (this is a family favorite, and the color goes great with Christmas.)
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
2 cups chopped rhubarb, fresh or frozen
2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
1 1/2 tbs. butter
2 pie crusts

Mix sugar and flour. Toss over rhubarb and strawberries. Pour mix into bottom of unbaked pie crust. Dot with butter. Cover with top crust. Rub more butter on top crust and sprinkle with sugar. Cut slits in top crust. Bake at 400 for about 45 minutes.

_________________________________________

Blurb about A Woodland Christmas: Gabe Noell, an itinerant wood-carver, moves from town to town in the Piney Woods of East Texas. His “sawdust sermons” are even more valuable than the furniture he crafts. And the advice he dispenses helps four couples find their way to the miracle of love at Christmas. A Woodland Christmas is a 4-novella collection.

Blurb about Janelle's story, A Christmas Chain: Emma Pickett is on a quest for vengeance, but meeting Caleb Kelley sidetracks her and tempts her to forgive and forget-until she comes face to face with the man she seeks.

To win a copy of A Woodland Christmas, leave a comment on this blog post, telling me your favorite Christmas Carol. No Christmas Carol, no win! Be sure to include your contact info. No email address, no win!

Contest ends at midnight, Friday, October 1st. Winner will be announced in a brief post on Saturday.

**Contest disclaimer: Void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents. Odds of winning depend on number of entrants.**

29 comments:

Jeanette Levellie said...

I spied this book at the Bible store two days ago, but had no money with me, so planned to buy it later. Please enter my name in the drawing, and thanks, Janelle, for your generosity!

My fave carol is Angels from the Realms of Glory.

jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com

Many blessings on your writing,
Jen

Jo said...

I enjoy reading Christmas stories. Please enter me in the contest.

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

Unknown said...

I love Christmas stories!!
My favorite christmas carol is...

"Mary Did You Know"

debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

BECKY said...

Hi! I am so happy I discovered your blog! I would love to win this book. My favorite Christmas carol is "Little Altar Boy", by Karen Carpenter. My e-mail is: Writergal53(at)aol(dot)com.

Janelle said...

So many good Christmas songs! It really is hard to narrow the choice to just one. Thanks for stopping by, ladies. Good luck in the drawing and I hope you enjoy the stories.

Andrea said...

Hope you have an awesome week!
Blessings,
andrea

PS: Great contest!!

collettakay said...

My favorite Christmas Carol is: either Silent Night or The First Noel. I can't decide!

pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

Nancy Williams, LPC said...

I grew up playing the piano in church and looked forward each year to the music of Christmas. So many songs are popping into my head just now but I'll set "Silent Night" out there because it was one of the first I learned and it takes those who sing(and play) as well as those who listen to a moment of peace and calm, and reflection.

What a fun way to begin a Monday morning! Now I'm humming all sorts of songs. I buy a new Christmas book or two each year so this one will have to be on my list - especially since I have been blessed to share time and laughter here and there with Janelle.

- nancy@nancywilliams.net

Joanne Sher said...

Sounds like a LOVELY book. I love SO MANY Christmas songs, but my TWO favorites are Little Drummer Boy and Mary Did You Know (if I HAVE TO pick one, I'll pick MaRY).

joanne(at)joannesher(dot)com

Susan said...

Umm, warm strawberry-rhubarb pie (with a dollop of ice cream) sounds wonderful on this nippy fall day. Would you mind sending me a piece, Janelle? LOL

I just wanted to pop in and give a shout-out to one of my favorite writer-people on the planet. I'll relinquish my entry in the book giveaway to someone more deserving. :-)

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Janelle said...

I don't usually get into the Christmas spirit until after Thanksgiving, but listing all these songs is getting me there much earlier. Thanks, everyone!

Good to see you pop in, Nancy. Wish we could share more time and laughter.

And my dear Susan, you're one of my favorite people, too. And if you come see me, I'll let you have all the warm pie you want.

Jodie Wolfe said...

My favorite Christmas carol is Silent Night. It was especially meaningful when my husband and I were stationed in Germany and we learned this carol in it's original language - German.

Love the opportunity to win Christmas books.

Blessings,
Jodie Wolfe
digging4pearls(at)comcast(dot)net

helpmelord8@blogspot.com said...

You mentioned a Christmas carol and immediately "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire" starting racing through my mind. I had to stop and sing it all the way through...guess I like it, huh!! Thanks for offering one of your wonderful books. I love reading Christmas stories. Blessings on your continued success. Donna Watson
dswphd8@cox.net

Anonymous said...

I'm new to reading/writing Christian Fiction so I'm anxious to have as many examples as I can. Please sign me up for the drawing.

Theresa N. said...

My favorite carol is "Faith Of Our Fathers" song by Bing Crosby.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Linda Glaz said...

Yum, I'm stuck on the strawberry/rhubarb pie!

karenk said...

my favourite christmas carol is: o holy night. thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Linda said...

Hard to believe Christmas is so close. A good book about Christmas sounds great. Please enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I love books with a Christmas theme.
When I was in the youth class at Church in Indiana, we had the tradition of going to nursing homes and homes of the elderly to sing Christmas Carols. I really loved that experience. "Silent Night" is my favorite.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Janelle said...

LOL. It's no wonder you're still stuck on the pie, Linda. That stuff can be addicting.

And Carol, our church does the same thing. The elderly just love it. And I enjoy watching them sing along.

Cheryl Linn Martin said...

I just love everything Christmas!!!

Thanks for doing this drawing.

My favorite Christmas carol is "O Holy Night," but as far as Christmas music, it has to be "Mary Did You Know," since I've sung it a number of times in the past as a solo at church.

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Lynda Lee Schab said...

Glad to see so many comments so far! Be sure to tell your friends!

Just one note...a few of you didn't name a Christmas carol. I'd hate to disqualify you from the running, so be sure and specify your favorite!

:-)

Ivy said...

I love "Good King Wenceslas". The four-part harmony on that song is incredible. My brother and I are trying to learn two of the parts, and it's harrrrd.

This book looks so cool -- my email is ivystrader at yahoo dot com.

Anonymous said...

My favorite carol is O Litle Town of Bethlehem! Would love to read this book...so please enter me.
Thanks!!!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

Anonymous said...

PAT SAID,

I love to read Christmas stories,
would enjoy winning!

My favorite Christmas song is Silver Bells, please enter me into the contest.

Enjoyed your blog.

rosco355@rnetworx.com

Renee said...

I'm so glad I found your blogs! The Christmas books are a great giveaway idea. My favorite Christmas carol is Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming.

reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Thanks so much!

Juanita W said...

Wow, would love Woodland Christmas, or whatever one is given away. I have 4 Christmas ones I am saving to read in December, since i have about 50 more to read that i have purchased during the past year. Juanita
whisper97304@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Anything Christmas is good, but MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROL IS ... O Holy Night. annc999(at)yahoo(dot)com

stephanie said...

My favorite Christmas Carol is Jingle Bells because it's the only one both of my boys can sing right now. They sing it all year:) And strangly enough, I am not tired of it. Yet.