The 12 Books of Christmas Day 1

First things, first.

The very first winner in THE 12 BOOKS OF CHRISTMAS giveaway, and the one who gets first pick from all the books listed, is...

REBECCA PAINTER!

Congratulations, Rebecca! Start thinking about which book you'd like and I'll be contacting you soon for your choice. All of the non-winning names will stay in the hat for the remainder of the contest.

Now, here's a little about the first 6 books included in THE 12 BOOKS OF CHRISTMAS. Be sure to leave a comment on this post, then come back tomorrow to see the next winner, and for information on the other 6 titles.

 

Postmark: Christmas by Darlene Franklin 
The holidays are stamped for love in Christmas, Florida. While keeping her eye open for her next job lead, will nomadic event planner Stella find romance instead? How will one retired major change war widow Randi’s postcard-sending mission? Can photographer David Levine draw shy Gabi Archer out of her shell? Will retired police officer Rick Stanton be able to steal postmistress Edie Hathaway’s heart?

 About the author: Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin is one of four authors of this novella collection, along with Paige Winship Dooly, Kathleen Kovach and Paula Moldenhauer. Darlene lives in Oklahoma near her son’s family, and loves music, needlework, reading, and reality TV. She has published several titles with Barbour Publishing, including her two latest releases, A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas, and Merry Christmas, With Love, in Postmark: Christmas. She has also written two books in the Texas Trails series with RiverNorth Fiction, Lone Star Trail and A Ranger’s Trail. She’s a member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers. You can find Darlene online at http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/darlene.franklin.3
 

 A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman

 Fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds. Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who’s preparing to spend the holidays alone…again. Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny’s farm. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited, and she’s more than happy to sell the farm and move to the city.

As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart—that sometimes love comes when you’re least ready for it. Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?

About the author:  Anita Higman is the award-winning author of more than thirty books, including fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and plays. Her previous Christmas book, Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe, hit both the Nielsen and CBA bestseller lists. Anita lives with her husband in the Houston area, and they have two grown children.Visit Anita online at: www.Anitahigman.com

 

Christmas Stalking by Margaret Daley

Bodyguard Ellie St. James has one objective: protect her client…without letting her know. Pretending to be Rachel "Winnie" Winfield's assistant lets Ellie stay close, but there's an unexpected complication—Colt Winfield. Winnie's grandson wasn't in on the plans, and the suspicious marine biologist isn't easy to fool. When the truth comes out, so do more threats to Winnie's life. Trapped on a Colorado mountain, Ellie and Colt must trust each other to guard Winnie and find the stalker. Before this Christmas becomes their last.

 About the author: Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-three books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.

 
 Thyme for Love by Pamela S. Meyers

 April Love has always dreamed of being a chef. But she didn't expect a former fiancé or murder to be part of the recipe for her new job. When April Love signs on to be an in-house chef at an old lakeshore mansion in Canoga Lake, Wisconsin, she comes face to face with her long-lost love, the drop-dead gorgeous Marc Thorne. It doesn't take long for their old magnetism to recharge, but how can she trust the guy who left her nearly at the altar eight years earlier? Her gut tells her something happened to Marc in between-something he's reluctant to reveal. When April's boss is murdered, Marc is accused of the crime. Unless April can find out who really killed Ramón Galvez, her chances for love will end up at the county jail. But someone else is just as determined she not solve the mystery...and will go to any length to stop her.

About the author: Pamela S. Meyers lives in the Chicago suburbs, an hour’s drive away from the Southeastern Wisconsin setting of most of her stories. Her debut novel Thyme for Love, Book One in her On the Road to Love series, released November 2011, and Love Will Find a Way, Book Two will release very soon. Her historical romance, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, will release in April 2013. When she isn’t busy writing her next novel, you can find her coordinating the ACFW Genesis Writing Contest for Unpublished writers.  You can find more information on Pam at www.pamelasmeyers.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pamela.meyers .

Pineapples in Peril by Cheryl Linn Martin
 Thirteen-year-old Leilani Akamai and her friends, Maile and Sam, are the only official members of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club. Leilani pictures a summer full of secrets and stakeouts as she and her friends aim to solve their first real crime, a case of pineapple vandalism at Tong Plantation. It's all Leilani has to look forward to now that her younger brother, Kimo, has already ruined her summer. Thanks to him, surfing is out and she blames him for her broken arm, now in a clunky, itchy cast. To top things off, Kimo might interfere with the pineapple case and blow their entire investigation! The ugliness continues when Leilani's beloved surfboard ends up in the hands of her dreaded enemy. Can she get her board back and solve the first case of the Hawaiian Island Detective Club? This summer will be one to remember.

About the author: Cheryl Martin is a graduate of the University of Oregon. After pursuing a successful Parks and Recreation career, Ms. Martin now focuses on her passion - writing mystery novels. The Hawaiian Island Detective Club combines her love of all things Hawaiian and her fascination with intrigue. A wife and mother of three grown children, memories of raising her spirited kids inspire many of her characters' quirks, relationships, and mishaps. Visit Cheryl's website and blog (Life in Flip-Flops).

 

The Woodcutter's Revival by Jerry Slauter

Set at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, Woodcutter’s Revival is an intriguing and thought-provoking story about life, love and leadership. You will come to admire some characters and despise others. In just a few pages, you will find yourself caught up in this delightful tale.

 

About the author:  Jerry is a retired school teacher. He graduated from Ball State University with a Master of Arts degree in Education. He has been very active in various political and educational groups, and has established, administered and taught in an alternative school in Knox known as the ACE Program (Alternative and Continuing Education). Jerry is a husband, father and grandfather. He loves to travel, write and work in the wood, metal and leather shops at home. He has built and uses a wood fired pizza oven. Visit Jerry's website at: www.woodcuttersrevival.com


Do these books sound great, or what? Go ahead and comment on this post to get your name tossed in the hat for tomorrow's drawing. Come back in tomorrow to see if you've won, and read the blurbs and bios for the other 6 books included in the giveaway. For complete rules on The 12 Books of Christmas, read THIS POST.