The 12 Books of Christmas Day 8

And the 8th winner in The 12 Books of Christmas is...

BONNIE

Congrats, Bonnie! I'll be in touch about claiming your prize!

And now for another delicious holiday recipe from author Kathy Harris, who is graciously giving away a copy of The Road to Mercy (read the description HERE) in the 12 Books of Christmas.

Kathy says:

Here is a quick and easy gourmet recipe for Christmas or New Year’s brunch . . .

Writers and readers alike all share in a lack of time during the holidays—often with the need to entertain or contribute to holiday meals—so it’s fun to discover a recipe that tastes 100% gourmet but is quick and easy to prepare. True Eggs Benedict is smothered in Hollandaise Sauce, but this version substitutes Havarti cheese with Dill. I make mine vegetarian, without the Canadian bacon, and use gluten free products, but you can tweak this basic recipe per your personal preferences.


Simply & Delicious “Almost Eggs Benedict”

Ingredients (with recommended brands for the gluten free version)

Food for Life Multi-Seed Gluten

Free English Muffins

Good Food Made Simple Egg White Patties or poached eggs

Boar’s Head Havarti cheese with Dill, in thin slices

Canadian bacon slices, optional

Salt &pepper to taste, optional

Method

Per serving, split an English muffin and toast. In the meantime, cook one egg or egg white. If using Canadian bacon, warm a slice in the microwave or skillet.

If using the bacon, place a slice onto one half of the toasted English muffin. Top with egg and then 1-2 slices of cheese. (Lightly season with salt and pepper; this is optional–I don’t use either.) Microwave on high for 20-30 seconds to melt cheese. Top with remaining toasted muffin. Serve hot.

Enjoy!

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Kathy Harris is an author by way of a divine detour into the Nashville entertainment business. She graduated with a B.S. in Communications from Southern Illinois University and has spent the past two decades employed as a marketing director in the Nashville music industry.

An active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the publicity officer for Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, Kathy lives near Nashville with her husband and their two Shiloh Shepherd dogs. Her fiction debut, The Road to Mercy, released this fall.

Kathy regularly interviews literary and music guests on her blog at www.DivineDetour.com. Her author site is www.kathyharrisbooks.com. You can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KathyHarrisAuthor or regularly on Twitter as @DivineDetour. 

 

Don't forget to leave a comment for another chance to win! 

 

Complete giveaway details HERE

The 12 Books of Christmas Day 3

The names in the hat are piling up! Thanks to everyone who has commented so far!

And the 3rd choice of books goes to...

KAREN K!

Congrats, Karen! I'll be in touch soon!

Today, we have a treat. Jo Huddleston, whose book That Summer is one of the 12 books in this fabulous list of giveaways, has agreed to share her journey to publication. Even if you're not a writer, you will be inspired by the way God worked out His plan for her life.

Enjoy!

MY WRITING JOURNEY

by JO HUDDLESTON

When deciding to write for publication, all I had was aspiration and hope. I had not studied the craft of writing but I had loved books and reading all my life. So I sent my first stories to Good Housekeeping and Ladies Home Journal. Those form rejection letters came back immediately. It didn’t take me long to learn that I needed help.

I scoured the magazines in the mall bookstore and found some about writing. I discovered names of books about all aspects of writing and lists of writing conferences to attend and gain knowledge.

I decided my first conference would be the Professionalism in Writing School conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’d read in my new magazines that I should take samples of my writing and business cards to identify myself when I made an appointment with an editor or agent. I didn’t have business cards and was relieved when I read that I could put my information on a 3x5 card and share that with people.

My husband let me out at the front of the large hotel where the conference was held while he parked the car. I stepped into the area between the outer entrance doors and the doors into the lobby. A young lady came inside pulling a carrier stacked with books and paper materials. At the threshold of the first doors when she pulled her carrier into the space where I stood, everything tilted and scattered around us. I timidly helped her stack things back as best as I could. Didn’t introduce myself, didn’t recognize her.

I’d learned in my teen years when I was in an unfamiliar situation it would serve me well to keep my

View on Amazon

mouth shut and my eyes and ears open. So from the outset of the conference that’s what I did. The attendees appeared to know what they were doing so I watched and followed their lead. But among these seasoned writers’ conference-goers I was so invisible I didn’t even realize I was invisible.

I got in line to register and received my folder and name tag. I noticed that many folks were getting in another line before entering the auditorium, so I again followed. When my turn at the front of the line came I realized they were putting their names on sheets for 15-minute appointments, each sheet having a name at the top. The instructions indicated these sheets were for time with editors and agents. I signed up on an editor’s sheet and made myself a note of my allotted time and the room number.

As others filed into the auditorium so did I. Alone among groups, I found a seat with nobody on either side. I sat, ramrod straight, eyes and ears open. Someone from the left got my attention by asking if the seat beside me was taken. I shook my head. A woman with a beautiful Texas drawl introduced herself, forcing me to speak my first words at my first writers’ conference as I in turn introduced myself.

I browsed the book room and it was like finding delightful presents on Christmas morning. When the editor’s appointment time came I made my way toward the designated room and waited my turn outside the door.

I went in the room, sat across the table from a perky young lady and pushed my 3x5 card toward her without a word. She picked up my card, looked at it and said, “I’m Karen Ball.” She asked me what I wrote, a question I couldn’t answer. I just wrote whatever came out of my head, but I didn’t say that to her. She was gracious to recognize that I was out of my depth and prodded me along by asking what I had brought for her to look at. I had been writing short prayers for women in circumstances they might find themselves and I’d brought five prayers with me.

I didn’t know that Karen Ball was a fiction editor and she probably could have told me so and to go sign up with a nonfiction editor. No—kind, sweet, and professional Karen Ball read each of my five prayers. She wanted to take my pages back to Tyndale House with her and I agreed. I did not know the significance of her doing so. I did know I hadn’t made any copies of them but they were in my computer, so not to worry.

Releases December 8

Before too long Karen phoned me that Tyndale would like me to write more prayers. The result was Tyndale published two prayer books by me: Amen and Good Night, God and Amen and Good Morning, God. Later, another company published my devotional book His Awesome Majesty. As I learned the craft and used a writers’ market guide, I began submitting short stories and articles—and getting them published.

That Professionalism in Writing School conference was good for me and I attended several years. Oh, and by the way, that young lady who spilled her books in the hotel entrance was Bodie Thoene. She and her husband Brock were the keynote speakers for the conference. And that woman with the beautiful Texas drawl who sat beside me in the auditorium was Vickie Phelps and is now a close writer-friend. We’ve coauthored three e-books and our husbands also get along well.

I now have a 3-book publishing contract for my first novels. I’ve finished Book 1, That Summer, which released in December 2012. Book 2 is scheduled to release in April 2013 and book 3 in September 2013.

Perhaps one of the hardest things about writing for publication is having patience. My patience muscles have grown much stronger over the years. This writing journey is never-ending. How could I not write? What writing ability I have comes from God and I must be the best steward of that gift that I can be.


Visit Jo's website at www.Johuddleston.com. By the way, I am featured in Jo's December newsletter, which you can read HERE. How cool is that?

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into The 12 Books of Christmas giveaway! 
Complete contest details HERE

The 12 Books of Christmas Giveaway: Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe

If you've been following along on The 12 Books of Christmas, you know that one of the questions I ask authors in the fun holiday questionnaire is if they've ever been kissed under the mistletoe. Well, this week's featured author knows all about the mistletoe and finding love there, as Anita Higman is co-author of the 2-novella collection, Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe. But has she personally ever been kissed under the mistletoe? You'll have to read on to find out!

Anita is offering a copy of Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe to one lucky reader! Here's a blurb about this delightful book:

Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe: Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Anita Higman


Holly Goodnight's store has just been voted best Christmas shop in America. All the new publicity draws flamboyant novelist Van Keaton to the cozy town of Noel, Missouri, demanding to write Holly's story - a dramatic tale of misfortune and triumph. She is swept up in his world of beautiful words and fanciful interludes. . .until Owen Quigly, her lifelong best friend, launches a plan to win her back.

The second story in this 2-novella collection is Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe: An Appalachian Christmas by Irene Brand.

A promise to her dying sister compels Julia Mayfield to take her young nephew to Mistletoe, Kentucky, a tiny town tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. Sparks fly when she meets David Armstrong, a World War II veteran like herself. Even as shadows from the past weave a dangerous web around Julia and David, will their love flourish like the mistletoe that blankets the nearby hills?

VIEW THE BOOK TRAILER HERE

Now for a little about Anita:

Award-winning author, Anita Higman, has twenty-six books published (several coauthored) for adults and children, and she has been honored as a Barnes & Noble Author of the Month for Houston. Anita has a BA degree, combining communication, psychology, and art. Her favorite things include exotic teas, movies, and all things Jane Austen. Please visit her site at www.anitahigman.com.



Anita's turn to fill out the holiday questionnaire:

Favorite Christmas carol: The Holy and the Ivy

A family Christmas tradition: When our family gathers around the Christmas tree and my husband reads the Christmas story from the Bible.

A memorable gift you've given or received: It's not very romantic sounding, but years ago I bought my husband a leather jacket for Christmas. He loves it and now years later he still wears it.

Favorite Christmas television show or movie: It's a Wonderful Life

When do you start your holiday shopping? In September or October

Ever been kissed under the mistletoe? I'm sure somewhere in my past I've been kissed under the mistletoe, but it probably wasn't very remarkable since I can't remember it.

Do you deck the halls in style or keep it simple? I deck it all the way. I love all things Christmas, and I love decorating for the holiday!

What food to you overindulge in during the holidays? Buttery dressing out of the turkey! I love it. My mouth is already watering!
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Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe. Deadline is Friday, November 19. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Saturday, November 20.

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

Book #7 in The 12 Books of Christmas Giveaway: Christmas Under Western Skies by Linda Ford

If you love historical romance and/or westerns, you'll want to enter this fabulous giveaway! A blurb of this week's book, Christmas Under Western Skies, and details on how to enter are posted at the bottom of this entry. But first I'd love you to meet the multi-published author who wrote one of the two stories in this book and is behind this giveaway. Meet Linda Ford!

Linda Ford is a multi published author with both Heartsong Presents romances and Love Inspired Historicals. She lives in Alberta, Canada where she can see the Rocky Mountains every day (and feed her creative soul). She shares her life with her husband and a live-in physically handicapped client. The mother of fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted-- she enjoys family gatherings and having her children and grandchildren visit. For more information about Linda and her books and to read her blog, visit www.lindaford.org

Fun holiday questionnaire:

Favorite Christmas carol: This is a fairly new song but I love it. It is Paul Brandt’s The Way In a Manger is Easy to Find. You can find the lyrics here. http://www.metrolyrics.com/the-way-in-a-manger-lyrics-paul-brandt.html

A family Christmas tradition: When the children were at home we had a special Christmas Eve tradition. With one child reading or narrating the Christmas story the others acted it out, dressed in costumes they created. Then we had a birthday party for Jesus complete with a birthday cake and singing of Christmas songs.

A memorable gift you've given or received: One of my favorite presents (and there are lots) is a photo book my brother made my sister and I after we took a trip to Paris. It is hardbound and printed. Doing photos this way is now fairly common but a few years ago when he did it, it was fairly rare. I treasure the book and the memories of that trip.

Favorite Christmas television show or movie? It’s A Wonderful Life. But talking about movies reminds me of another Christmas memory. Years ago, my brother and I were the only ones at home with my parents. I suppose we were 12 or 13. Something like that. The weather was atrocious so we barely left the house. That year throughout the holidays each afternoon on TV they played a Shirley Temple movie. We sat enthralled for two hours. Great memory.

When do you start your holiday shopping? Shudder. I hate shopping. I never do it really early because I am notorious for forgetting who I bought for, what I bought and where I hid it. So I usually start in November and get it done as quickly as possible. In fact, if I can, I take someone with me who is better at shopping than I am.

Ever been kissed under the mistletoe? Nope.

Do you deck the halls in style or keep it simple? I would keep it simple. Very simple. But my family feels I’ve short changed them if I do. Sometimes one or two of the girls come out and help me decorate. I often decorate with all sorts of Christmas trees—the big green one, little predecorated ones, ceramic, foil, feather ones. I love Christmas trees. I also have several Nativity sets I’ve collected. For me, the trees and nativity sets are all I need.

What food do you overindulge in during the holidays? Nuts.

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Now for the giveaway information:

Linda's story, A Cowboy's Christmas is the second novella in this 2-novella Love Inspired Historical collection.

A Cowboy's Christmas by Linda Ford: Just until Christmas—that’s how long rancher Derek Adams needs a nanny for his young sister. Winnie Lockwood knows it’s a mistake to get too attached. Yet little Kathy’s sweet smiles undo her best intentions. And Winnie can’t help but pray she’s found a home for the holidays. . .and forever.

A Prairie Family Christmas by Anna Schmidt: A thriving homestead in South Dakota Territory is Julianne Cooper's dearest wish. Can the war-weary chaplain she rescues from a snowstorm help her reach it? Nathan Cook insists he's only passing through, but the lovely widow and her children have him dreaming of a lifetime of Christmases together.

Enter to win a copy of Christmas Under Western Skies by leaving a comment on this blog post. Be sure to leave your contact information so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Contest ends at midnight on Friday, November 12. The 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.**

The 12 Books of Christmas Giveaway: A Daughter for Christmas

Can you believe we've reached the half-way point of The 12 Books of Christmas? Is the thought of only 7 weeks until Christmas exciting or scary for you? I personally can't wait. I LOVE Christmas! And this week, I get to introduce you to another fabulous author who is generously giving away a copy of her book, A Daughter for Christmas. Details about this heartwarming book and the giveaway are posted at the end of this blog entry.

But first things, first.

Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. She has sold seventy-five books to date. Visit Margaret's website at: www.margaretdaley.com


Now, Margaret takes a minute to fill out this fun holiday questionnaire:

Favorite Christmas carol: The Prayer (Celine Dion has a wonderful version of it on her Christmas CD)

A family Christmas tradition: Going to Christmas Eve church service

A memorable gift you've given or received: Anything my son got me while he was growing up--especially the handmade items

Favorite Christmas television show or movie? The Christmas Story

When do you start your holiday shopping? I usually shop all year long.

Ever been kissed under the mistletoe? Yes--but that is all I'm saying. I don't kiss and tell.

Do you deck the halls in style or keep it simple? I usually put out a lot. I have all my mother's ornaments (from my childhood) as well as ones I've collected over the years. I especially love the ones that are homemade. When I decorate the tree, I go down memory lane as I put the ornaments on the tree.

What food do you overindulge in during the holidays? Pecan pie - I absolutely love it. Also, eggnog is delicious.

Do you have a favorite recipe to share?

This is a great appetizer for the holidays

Cheese Ball

2 large packages of cream cheese

¼ cup chopped green pepper

8 oz. can crushed pineapple-drained

2 T finely chopped onions

1 t seasoned salt

¼ cup thin sliced ham cut in small pieces

1 cup pecans-finely chopped

Squeeze all juice that you can from the pineapple. Combine all the ingredients except the pecans and mold into a ball shape. Roll the ball in the pecans. Refrigerate.

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A Daughter for Christmas, Love Inspired, November 2010 Blurb:

Dr. Max Connors had no idea he'd fathered a child thirteen years ago. Or that his baby girl had been given up for adoption. He locates his daughter in a small Oklahoma town and moves there, hoping to become a part of her life. But when he meets her widowed mother, Max is unsure how to reveal his identity. As he helps Rachel Howard with her plans to homeschool the girl, he's welcomed into the family. But with the holidays approaching, Max must tell Rachel who he really is. Can he make his dreams of family come true by Christmas?

Enter to win a copy of A Daughter for Christmas by leaving a comment on this blog post. Be sure to leave your contact information so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Contest ends at midnight on Friday, November 6. The 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.**

The 12 Books of Christmas Giveaway: A Prairie Christmas Collection

Week #5 already, can you believe it? WOW! I know you'll love the featured author this week, not to mention the wonderful Christmas book she's offering. Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to enter.

DEBORAH RANEY is at work on her 20th novel. Her books have won the RITA Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Almost Forever, first in her new Hanover Falls Novels series, released in May from Howard/Simon & Schuster. Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy small-town life in Kansas. They are new empty nesters with four grown children and two precious grandsons, who all live much too far away.

Visit Deb's website at: www.deborahraney.com

FUN HOLIDAY QUESTIONNAIRE:

Favorite Christmas carol: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

A family Christmas tradition: One of our favorite Christmas traditions inspired my story in A Prairie Christmas Collection. When we eat out together after our Christmas shopping spree (see holiday shopping below) we pray for the Lord to send just the right server to our table who needs a blessing, then we tip him/her a $100 bill and quickly leave before the server discovers the bill.

A memorable gift you've given or received: My engagement ring! And our first grandbaby, born December 15 five years ago.

Favorite Christmas television show or movie? A Christmas Story ("I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!" "No, you'll shoot your eye out.")

When do you start your holiday shopping? I'm a terrible shopper and always put it off till the last minute. For many years when our kids were at home, our tradition was to have only small "stocking" gifts on Christmas morning, and wait until after Christmas to take our kids on a shopping spree when we could combine our money with the grandparents' gift money and take advantage of the after-Christmas sales. Then we'd all go out to eat together to give our "Christmas Tip."

Ever been kissed under the mistletoe? I hang mistletoe in the doorway between the laundry room and the kitchen every year, so there's a whole lot of kissing going on at our house around Christmas.

Do you deck the halls in style or keep it simple? Definitely keep it simple. We always have a Christmas tree, candles, mistletoe, and decorate the mantle, often hanging the stocking collection my aunt and nieces started for us the first year we were married. When the kids were small and money was tight, we would have a Snowflake Party early in December and cut out snowflakes to hang in the windows for decoration. But we've always kept Christmas on the simple side.

What food do you overindulge in during the holidays? Cookies of every kind, especially Jewel Cookies (recipe below.)

Favorite recipe to share? Here’s a recipe that’s a Christmas tradition in my family. Some might think the recipe gets its name from the colorful egg yolk paint, but in fact, these cookies are named after Jewel Fuson, a sweet neighbor from my childhood (to whom I dedicated my novel A Nest of Sparrows). Though Jewel and her husband, Don, had no children of their own, Jewel used to invite all the children of our little farming community to “paint” and decorate cookies at her farmhouse every Christmas. After Don and Jewel moved into town, my sister and her family moved into their farmhouse, and my sister continued the tradition for her children and mine. Jewel often stopped by as an honored guest to eat cookies and sip hot chocolate, always poured from a musical teapot that played “Tea for Two.” Jewel was spunky into her 90s. She died a few years ago, but I think of her often––especially at Christmastime. My sisters and I inherited some of Jewel’s vast collection of cookie cutters, and that teapot has an honored place in my sister’s house.

Jewel Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup sour milk
5 cups flour
Edible Cookie Paint (recipe follows)
Colored decorating sugar

In a large bowl, cream together shortening, granulated and brown sugars, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. When well combined, add eggs and mix well. With wooden spoon, add milk and flour alternately, mixing until dough is stiff. Chill several hours or up to one week before rolling out.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare Edible Cookie Paint (recipe below). Divide cookie dough into fourths. Working with 1/4 of the dough at a time (returning the remainder to the refrigerator), roll dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Paint cookies with Edible Cookie Paint and sprinkle with colored sugar before baking. Bake just until cookies begin to brown lightly around the edges, about 10-12 minutes. Baking time depends on thickness of cookie dough. For crisper cookies, roll thinner and bake longer, for softer cookie, roll thicker and reduce baking time.

Edible Cookie Paint:
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon water
Food coloring

In a small bowl, beat egg yolks and water until smooth and frothy. Divide into several small cups and add a different shade of food coloring to each until colors are dark “jewel tones.”

As an alternate to painting, cookies may be baked, cooled, and decorated with frosting and candy sprinkles.

_________________________________________

In this holiday romance collection, the warmth of Christmas will radiate new love from the high plains of Minnesota and Dakota Territory, across the rolling hills of Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois, and down into the flats of Kansas. Filled with inspiration and faith, each story will become a treasure to be enjoyed again each year. Along with Peterson and Raney, other contributing authors include Tracey Bateman, Pamela Griffin, JoAnn A. Grote, Maryn Langer, Darlene Mindrup, Janet Spaeth and Jill Stengl.

Enter to win a copy of A Prairie Christmas by leaving a comment on this blog post. Be sure to leave your contact information so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Contest ends at midnight on Friday, October 29th. The 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.**

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.

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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.**

May Book Releases Provide Nice Summer Reading Material

First things first...in case you missed my weekend post, the giveaway for the Scenarios for Girls books has been extended through Thursday at 8:00 P.M.. YAY for you! Tell you friends! These are fabulous interactive books for tween/young teens. If you haven't yet entered, what are you waiting for? Click HERE to leave a comment on the original post. The winner will be announced on Friday's blog entry. Good luck!

By the way, it DOES pay to enter! Over the weekend, I found out that I won Sandra Bricker's novel The Big Five-O. WOOT! Can't wait to read it!

Speaking of great reads, with summer right around the corner, it's time to stock up on some reading material! Below, is the list compiled by ACFW of the books written by ACFW members that are coming out this month. Head to your local bookstore or click over to your favorite online site and pick up one or five to tuck in your beach bag or to take with you outside to read under that giant shade tree.

1. A Quiet Place; A Tabor Heights Novel by Michelle Levigne -- A Romance from Desert Breeze. Tabor Heights -- A friendly little town on Ohio's North Coast, where the members of one church help each other in their journeys of faith, learning, and love.

2. Betsy's Return; Book 2 in the Brides of Lehigh Canal series by Wanda E. Brunstetter -- An Historical from Barbour. After being left once at the altar, Pastor William vowed to serve the Lord alone. But that was before Betsy's Return.

3. Black Hills Blessing; A 3-in-1 Collection by Mary Connealy -- Three Contemporary Romances from from Barbour. Buffalo owner butts heads with an ornery cattleman; a lady rancher has a cantankerous neighbor; A doormat wife stands up to her tyrant husband. Who will survive when worlds collide?

4. Clara and the Cowboy by Erica Vetsch -- A Romance from Heartsong Presents. Alec takes on robbers, rustlers, and kidnappers, but his greatest challenge will be taking on Clara, his boss's daughter.

5. Finding Jeena; Book 2, Homecoming Series by Miralee Ferrell -- Women's Fiction from Kregel. Shaken to the core at the threat of losing everything, Jeena is confronted with her prejudices and with a God she had long forgotten.

6. In Harm's Way; Heroes of Quantico, Book 3 by Irene Hannon -- A Romance from Revell. An abducted infant, a tattered Raggedy Ann doll, a terrified woman and a skeptical FBI agent come together in what Publishers Weekly calls "an ever-climactic mystery."

7. It Had to Be You; the third and final novel in the "Weddings by Bella" series by Janice Thompson -- General Fiction from Barbour. Bella couldn't be happier that her long-feuding Aunt Rosa and Uncle Lazarro have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember.

8. Kate's Philadelphia Frenzy; Camp Club Girls Series, Book 5 by Janice Hanna -- General Fiction from Barbour. The Camp Club Girls series introduces young readers to six friends who meet at church camp and solve mysteries together.

9. Legendary Space Pilgrims by Grace Bridges -- A Sci-fi/Fantasy/Futuristic from Splashdown. If Pilgrim's Progress were a space opera, it might look something like this: two young seekers on a journey of discovery, searching for freedom and a planet to call home.

10. Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico by Lena Nelson Dooley -- An Historical Romance from Summerside Press. Heroine in peril becomes a mail-order bride. . .gone awry

11. Love is Monumental; Book 2, A Walk in the Park byAnnalisa Daughety -- A Contemporary Romance from Barbour. Finding love has become a feat of monumental proportions for a shy park ranger.

12. Morning for Dove; Book 2, Winds Across the Prairieby Martha Rogers -- An Historical from Realms, a Division of Strang Communications. Luke and Dove struggle against prejudice and a deadly natural disaster for their love.

13. No Other; Protecting the Witnesses LIS continuity series--book #3 by Shawna K. Williams -- An Historical from Desert Breeze. Jakob Wilheimer longs for healing after his family's internment during WWII, but will freeing Meri from the captivity of her upbringing heal them both, or tear them apart?

14. Nowhere Carolina; Book 2, Southern Discomfort Series by Tamara Leigh -- A Romance from Waterbrook. When Maggie Pickwick's teenaged daughter decides it's time she knew the identity of her father, Maggie's carefully balanced world begins to teeter.

15. Seeds of Summer; Book 2, Seasons of the Tall Grassby Deborah Vogts -- A Romance from Zondervan. When a former Miss Rodeo Kansas queen returns home after her father's death to care for the family ranch and her two younger siblings, what follows is a summer full of change, life-lessons and an unexpected romance with the new minister in Diamond Falls

16. So Over My Head; Book 3, Charmed Life Series byJenny B. Jones -- General Fiction from Thomas Nelson. Newly single, stalked by a killer, and in desperate need of some chic clown shoes,˜ Bella is one mocha frapp away from a total meltdown.

17. The Heiress; New Jersey Historical Series Book 2 byLaurie Alice Eakes -- An Historical from Barbour. Desperate for money, Daire Grassick sells a family heirloom to a lady he doesn't know, only to discover it holds a secret formula for glass without which his family will be ruined.

18. The Narrow Path by Gail Sattler -- A Romance from Abingdon. When they must combine efforts for the most important event in Ted's church's history, can modern Mennonite Miranda Klassen and Old Order Mennointe Ted Wiebe find peace somewhere in the middle?

19. The Wedding Garden; Book 3, Redemption River byLinda Goodnight -- A Romance from Love Inspired. Join RITA and ACFW Award-winning author, Linda Goodnight, in "Redemption River", where healing flows.

20. The Weight of Shadows by Alison Strobel -- Women's Fiction from Zondervan. Kim has found a way to suffer for her sins and ease her guilt--but is her relief more important than her innocent daughter's safety?

21. They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti -- Women's Fiction from Abingdon. He was supposed to go fishing, not missing.

22. To Be a Mother by Ruth Axtell Morren and Cheryl St. John -- Romance from Steeple Hill. Two heartwarming stories of non-traditional families becoming families in a very traditional sense.

23. White Roses by Shannon Taylor VanAtter -- A Romance from Heartsong Presents. Can a heart-broken florist and a widowed pastor reclaim romance after their lives collide among the thorns?

24. Wildflower Bride; Book 2, Montana Marriages by Mary Connealy -- A Romance from Barbour. Glowing Sun, a white woman raised by the Flathead tribe, has never met a man she didn't want to pull a knife on, including the man determined to marry her.