Spread the Christmas Joy | Winners

We've got winners from the Spread the Christmas Joy blogathon! I don't know about you, but I was so encouraged by all of the amazing posts. I mean... just wow! Thank you to all of the authors and writers who shared their hearts with us in celebration of the true JOY of Christmas.

If you are a winner, make sure you check your email. If you haven't heard from me, feel free to contact me using the form on the side.

Silver Bells by Deborah Raney

Heidi Robbins 

Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills

Caryl Kane

Wooden Ornament from my Etsy shop 

Rachel S.

Mistletoe & Joy Bookmark from my Etsy Shop 

Amanda T. 

Abducted by Dana Mentink

Susanne Mincer

Joy to the World bookmark from my Etsy Shop 

Melanie Backus

Moonlight Over Manhattan by Carrie Turanksy 

Jackie Wisherd

Bellanok by Ralene Burke 

Michaela Weidinger

A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott

Dianna Gardenhour

One Enchanted Eve by Melissa Tagg

Candice Valdez

Hazardous Duty by Liz Johnson 

Pat Trainum

Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander 

Caitlin McCutcheon

Wrapped in Red by Meghan M. Gorecki

Brenda W. 

A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck 

Judy Jordan 

Almost Like Being In Love by Beth K. Vogt 

Beth Erin 

12 Books, 12 Winners

Hello from Florida! 

I'm taking a quick break to announce the winners from my 12 book giveaway. I know you've all been waiting so here they are...

Happy for the winners
(um, and the beach)

Melanie Backus
Grace Olson
Kara Peck
Beth Schwarzlose
Heather Olsen
Delores
Amber Terry
Dana Black
Aerykah
Ralene Burke
Pam Kellogg
Patty Hamblin Rude

Woohoo! Thank you all for joining the giveaway. You'll all be hearing from me soon so I can get your address and send you your surprise books!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Winners from Spread the Christmas Joy 2015

Thank You face :D

First off, before we get to the fun stuff, I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to all of the writers who shared such amazing, heartfelt, and personal stories with us during the month of December. I mean...wow. Some were funny, some were thought provoking, some were tearful, but they were all filled with the reality that there is joy in this season because of Christ. I love that!

Also, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who commented and shared the posts! The reason I do Spread the Christmas Joy is so that we can do just that - spread the JOY of Christ through this season. Fitting that this is my word for the year (but more on this later).

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for ;-) WINNERS!

I'll list the date, the giveaway, and the winner below:

December 1, 2015 | Christ Tomlin CD | Bonnie Roof

December 2, 2015 | Digital copy of A Singular And Whimsical Promise by Rachel McMillan | Leslie McKee

December 3, 2015 | Digital copy of Not Alone by Jennifer Hallmark | Just Commonly 
December 3, 2015 | Books 1 & 2 in Amanda G. Steven's Haven Seekers Series | Rebecca Bell

December 4, 2015 | 2 books from Lorraine Beatty | Trixi O.

December 5, 2015 | An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti | Deanna Dallenbach
December 5, 2015 | Winners choice of one of Pepper D. Basham's digital novels | Just Commonly

December 7, 2015 | Sing We Now On Christmas CD | Leslie McKee

December 8, 2015 | Semi-Precious Christmas by Jan Elder | Megan Williford
December 8, 2015 | Combo from Melissa Tagg | Carla Moore 
*I'm offering an addition copy of her new novella One Enchanted Night because I liked it so much ;) Winner: Ronda Garnett

December 9, 2015 | Through Deep Waters by Sarah Sundin | Bonnie Traher

December 10, 2015 | A Stitch In Crime by Cathy Elliott | Susan P 
December 10, 2015 | Yuletide Cowboys by Deb Kastner | Connie Hendryx

December 11, 2015 | An eBook copy of Catch of a Lifetime by Candee Fick | Teresa Pollard

December 12, 2015 | Starlight In Her Eyes by JoAnn Durgin | Rebecca Bell
December 12, 2015 | No Safe Haven by Kimberly & Kayla R. Woodhouse | Jebraun Clifford
 
December 13, 2015 | $15 Starbucks Card | Jackie Tessnair

December 14, 2015 | A Refuge A Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky | Charity Faith Billing

December 15, 2015 | A digital copy of Securing Aisling by Andrea Boyd | Debbie Clatterbuck

 December 16, 2015 | Rancher for the Holidays, and one audio book, One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson | Tina Radcliffe
December 16, 2015 | Win, Love, or Draw by Crystal L. Barnes | Melanie Backus

December 17, 2015 | A signed copy of Surrendered by Kariss Lynch | Laurie Bergh

December 18, 2015 | We Have A Savior CD | Karen Curtis

December 19, 2015 | Woman of Light by Teressa Pollard | Theresa N

December 20, 2015 | World-Building From the inside Out by Janeen Ippolito | Ralene Burke

December 22, 2015 | Citrus Fresh oil | Susan P

December 23, 2015 | Girls Aglow Bundle eBook by Jill Penrod | Hannah Campbell
December 23, 2015 | Penelope's Hope by Sarah Baughman |  Lientjie

December 26, 2015 | $10 Amazon Gift card | Heather Herring

December 28, 2015 | An eBook copy of Desert Duet by Debra E. Marvin | Laurie Berg

December 29, 2015 | Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt | Kelly Liberto

December 30, 2015 | Handcrafted, decorative Christmas towel | Caryl Kane

 December 31, 2015 | A signed copy of A Sparrow In Terezin by Kristy Cambron | Kelly Bridgewater

**If you won something please contact me via the form to the right of the page so I can arrange to get you your prize**

Winners & A Special Request

Remember my new, totally awesome newsletter? Yeah, the one that is so entertaining all of the cool kids are signing up for it? Oh...you don't? Well, let me remind you!

SIGN UP HERE

I've got a semi-monthly newsletter that I'll be sending out with lots of fun stories, insider info about my writing, and lots of funny pictures...because you know that's one of the best parts about newsletters! If you haven't had a chance to sing up...you probably should :D

Well, I did a giveaway in association with the birth of this newsletter-baby and I've got 5 fantastic winners! Yes...I did decide to add another winner for funzies (as I am known to say). Thanks so much for everyone who took the time to enter. I won't get these out to you until I get back from the conference...sorry!But you will get them ;)

$15 Starbucks

Jan Elder

$15 Amazon 

Josh Hardt

Pens

Natalie Walters

Oregon Fun

Cathrine Bonham

California Gold*

Trixi Oberembt

*Nope, it's not real gold ;) 

Fall Starter Kit Winner

Last week I had Lori Bates Wright on the blog talking about one of my favorite subjects: FALL! She graciously offered an awesome giveaway (what I called the perfect "fall starter kit") and I'm happy to announce the winner...


Sally Davidson

Congrats Sally! Contact me so Lori can get you this amazing gift just in time for fall!

My Request

Lastly, I've posted an abbreviated version of this on my Facebook page, but I wanted to leave it here as well. I'd like to ask you, my dear readers, something personal.

I head off for the ACFW Conference tomorrow morning (bright and early) and, though I am completely thrilled and excited, I'm also very tired at this point. I've been working very hard these last few weeks to catch up on photography clients which as left me little time outside of that. I know that the Lord can (and will) sustain me, and for that I am so grateful, but I also know I could use the extra prayers ;-)

I'm really looking forward to meeting new friends, to strengthening the friendships I've already made, and to learning more about the writing craft through the workshops and sessions. I'm also going to be meeting with editors *insert squeal of excitement & nerves* and more than anything I want all of this to be covered in prayer. I write for the Lord as much as I write for myself. Everything that I pen (um...well, type I guess) is for His glory alone. I know He's moving and working through and for me, and I can't wait to share what He does at this year's conference!

Thank YOU, my dear readers. You are why I write--yep, YOU! Make sure to check back next week for an update about how things go and, if you're brave...join me on my Facebook, twitter, and Instagram platforms to follow me through the ACFW Conference. I'll try my best to post the most ridiculous photos as well as me totally fan-girling with authors that I meet :)

Brandy Heineman {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Brandy...

Brandy Heineman is a novelist writing stories seasoned with secrets from the past and mysteries of the faith. Her debut novel, Whispers in the Branches, finaled in the 2014 ACFW Genesis contest and was published by Elk Lake Publishing earlier this year. Brandy is a graduate of Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia with a degree in Business Administration and Communication. She and her husband, Michael, make their home in metro Atlanta, along with two needy, greedy cats.

How to connect with Brandy...

Blog: http://brandyheineman.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/brandyhei 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbrandyheineman 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brandyhei
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/4X6pn
Purchase: Whispers in the Branches

Author Interview | Brandy Heineman

E.A. Creative Photography

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I was in second or third grade when I got my first encouraging comment—“Keep it up and maybe you’ll be a writer someday!” From there, I could mention any number of writerly moments . . . the time my dot matrix perforated pages caught the wind as I was getting off the school bus and furled out like a sail was I was crossing the street comes to mind. So does my first taste of publishing via the high school literary magazine when I was in ninth grade.

...However, there have always been fits and starts. I got serious about writing when I realized that (1) my thirtieth birthday was going to happen on schedule, regardless, and (2) I didn’t want to ever have to look Jesus in the eye and explain that I buried my talents for safekeeping.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...I have a quirky little short piece called His Pepper Heart. People who get my newsletter will be hearing a little more about that pretty soon…

...It’s my favorite because gave me something fresh and exciting to work on when another project was going poorly. Also, it’s largely a villain POV story, and I love my villains. And the research for it forced me to stop being scared of spicy food!

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book. Why did you write it?
...Sure! My debut novel is Whispers in the Branches. In it, Abby Wells has a crisis of faith when her mother passes away. She tries to connect with her southern roots, but she has questions no one can answer. When Aunt Ruby claims the old family home is haunted, Abby can’t resist the chance to investigate—but it’s her own past that nips at her heels, and the secrets she discovers aren’t the ones she wanted to find.

...The story changed many, many times before it became what it is today, but the undercurrent remained the same: I wanted to write a story about longing for something that could never be. In this story, some characters base their faith on what they wish to be true. I thought it was important to explore that, because a person can be deceived by a tiny lie. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...I love Aunt Ruby. It was so fun to create her character as a slightly spoiled southern belle in 1942 and her tough-as-grit present-day counterpart. Even though her life changes dramatically in the span of seventy years, her voice remains constant. Since this story deals with some heavy themes, I needed a few characters who could deliver some comic relief. Ruby definitely has her moments.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...I hope readers come away affirmed that God is working all the time, that even through our hardest times, He’s there.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...You don’t have to hang out with me for long to discover that I’m a big genealogy buff, and much of my inspiration comes from discoveries and questions about my ancestors. I write stories with two interconnected timelines, and my fiction seeks to make sense of the relationship between then and now.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...I hope that my stories entertain, but with a subtext of significance. I’ve recently started praying for my readers each day when I set to work—that the Lord will bless them through the work He’s given me to do. Whether that means a pleasant mental vacation or a nugget of truth is up to Him. There have been so many times when I picked up a book and marveled at how the content connected to my life. The author can’t plan that—that’s under God’s purview!

You

How did you celebrate the 4th of July?
...A big family day with food and fireworks! We have a couple of July birthdays in my family too, so Independence Day usually turns into a birthday extravaganza.

How are you making the most of your time this summer for writing and relaxing? Do you do anything different in the summer months?
...We are really having quite a summer here in metro Atlanta this year, so there’s a fair amount of parking in front of the box fans to cool off, but in general, it’s business as usual.

...I always take Sundays off from writing, although it’s hard to look away from social media, email, etc. After church, I love to work on my family tree, read, or watch movies with my husband.

Do you enjoy hot weather or cold better?
...I’m thankful that Georgia winters are pretty mild. I can’t really say I’m loving these 90+ degree days we’re having, but I do like hot weather better than cold. Spring and fall are my favorite seasons, when it’s warm and beautiful out!

____________________________

I got the chance to meet Brandy in person when I did headshots for her at the ACFW conference last year! I'm so happy to have her here on the blog. I am so encouraged by your second point from why you're a writer. I love the fact that our writing abilities are given to us by the Lord! Love your reader-takeaway as well. And I love how you talk about praying for your readers! I'm currently about to start a new book project and I've found myself praying for the story and for those who will read it in the future. Thanks again Brandy - and make sure you check out her book, my dear readers!

____________________________

::WINNERS::

Well plant me in the ground and call me green...um, not sure where that came from? Maybe it's all the western freelance work I'm writing hehe! But, either way, I've been a little lax on choosing my winners! I'm on time for Blood for Blood by Ben Wolf, but I forgot about my Loree Lough winners a few weeks back. My apologies! So, today I'm announcing ALL the winners :D

Once A Marine by Loree Lough

Winner: Deanna Stevens

Currency of the Heart by Loree Lough

Winner: Wuzzie2516

Blood for Blood by Ben Wolf

Winner: Kara Peck

And don't forget - if you didn't win here don't worry there are plenty more giveaways! Check out Monday's post and leave a comment to enter to win {two chances on this one}.

Winners All Around

Excited that we have so many winners on the blog today! I decided to just do one big ole post.

And the winner of Heart's Design...

Katrina Epperson

Congratulations Katrina!! 

And the winner of The Tomb by Stephanie Landsem is...

Virginia Winfield

I'm sure you'll enjoy this Virginia!

Excited to announce the winner of Erin Healy's Motherless and the $10 Starbucks gift card...

Emily Smith

(props on having an excellent name Emily hehe)

Thanks for everyone who participated! I'll be contacting you Emily and we'll arrange to get your your coffee card and book.

Winners of the above books...

Presumed Guilty

by Dana R. Lynn

Melissa Oldaker

The Oregon Trail Romance Collection

with Jennifer Ulharick

Joy Avery Melville

Secret Refuge

by Dana Mentink

Susan P

You may not have won today, but check out my giveaway from this week from author Melissa Tagg and Catherine West! 

Amanda G. Stevens | New Novel News

Found and Lost: A Novel
by Amanda G. Stevens

Haven Seekers (Book 2)
Published February 15, 2015
David C. Cook

Purchase: Found and Lost: A Novel (Haven Seekers Book 2)

What it's all about...

-->When Violet DuBay’s friend Khloe confides that her dad is a Christian, it’s the one secret Violet can’t keep. Turning in Khloe’s dad to the Constabulary is her duty. Her decision becomes an opportunity to infiltrate the Christian resistance; but as she gets to know Marcus, Lee, and the others, she’s compelled to question the things her society has taught her about God and His followers.

Clay Hansen persuades his family to join him at an underground church meeting and brings Violet, his teen daughter Khloe’s best friend. That night, the church is raided. He and his wife escape, but in the chaos, he loses Violet and Khloe. How can he find them with the Constabulary monitoring his every move? If the God who once spared Khloe won’t intervene, Clay will have to save her himself.

Get to know Amanda...


-->If your main characters were animals, what would they be? For some reason, I picture Violet in Found and Lost as a rabbit. Something about the soft and cuddly combined with timid and twitchy. She wants to belong and be loved, but she’s not fully at ease with anyone. And a rabbit introduced to a new environment is very cautious, hopping from one new thing to another, taking its time. That’s Violet in this book, relearning so many things she thought she knew and gradually gaining more certainty as she goes. She’ll continue to grow in the third book as well.

Clay is most like a horse. He’s a runner. He spooks reflexively, and once he’s stampeding in any direction, he’s hard to stop. He’s also single-mindedly loyal to “his people,” namely his wife and daughter.

Who is your favorite secondary character in this book?
 My favorite secondaries in this book are of course Marcus and Lee, who were primary in the last book. Six months have passed since Seek and Hide (Book One), and Marcus and Lee are now actively running a resistance movement to help fugitive Christians. This book gives glimpses (through Violet’s point of view) of their trust in each other and the ethical dilemmas they face in their resistance work.

What are you reading right now?
My most read genre is crime/noir, followed by speculative. My most recent reads have been The Third Man (Graham Greene), Black River (S.M. Hulse), and The Ryn (Serena Chase), all of which were lovely in unique ways. I’m about to start Gun Street Girl by Adrian McKinty.

***Leave a comment to win your choice of either Seek and Hide or Found and Lost***

(Winner chooses paper back (U.S.) or eBook option and will be announced next Monday Feb. 23) 

_______________________________________________________________

//Last week's winners// 

Excited to announce winners of two newly released novels from last week! 

< Winner: Merry Z

Winner: Jing Li >

Thank you for entering!!! Make sure and leave a comment for the giveaway this week!