Tree Swing Reading

New Release from Melody Carlson

First Christmas Book!  I love Melody Carlson!

 

Title: A Simple Christmas Wish

Released: September 2013

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Amish/Contemporary Fiction

Series: no

Publisher's Description

Rachel Milligan is caring for her seven-year-old niece, Holly, at her home in Chicago when she receives devastating news: Holly's parents have been killed in a plane crash. Because Rachel is Holly's only known relative, she assumes that she will be her beloved niece's guardian. However, custody is awarded to Lydia, a distant aunt who happens to be Amish. Just a week before Christmas, Rachel takes Holly to the Amish community in the hopes of persuading Aunt Lydia to relinquish custody. Instead, Lydia sets out to teach Holly to live according to the Amish way. As family secrets emerge and old wounds are healed, Rachel realizes that she will do whatever it takes to ensure that Holly has the loving family she needs.

Combining an Amish family saga with the anticipation of Christmas cheer and the promise of a budding romance, this newest Christmas story from beloved author Melody Carlson is sure to please.

To find out more about Melody Carlson, check out her website.

Christmas Fiction Giveaway 12: "Carol" by Bob Hartman

So, I have come to accept that I'm way behind on the giveaway days and can't seem to get all the books read in time, BUT I'm going to just go ahead and post the giveaways and read them in the mean time. So I'm posting the rest today! 

 

Merry December! I love Christmas! In December I become a sucker for the feel-good Christmas stories and I'm hoping some of you are too!

Starting today I will be giving away a Christmas-type themed fiction book for the next 12 days.  

Here's the rules:

1. Post a comment to let me know which books you would like to be entered to win. In your comment, answer the day's random Christmas question.

Today's question: Favorite Christmas TV special (like "Rudolph" or "Frosty")

Mine are the "Charlie Brown Christmas"! and "The Grinch"

2. Enter by the date for that day's book.
Today's date is December 19.  The winner will be announced the following day. I want to get these mailed to you before Christmas.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back the next day's giveaway!

Today's book is Carol by Bob Hartmann.

Description:

Jack O'Malley hates shopping. He hates snow. He even hates Christmas. All three at once is Jack's idea of a very bad day. Storming into Starbucks to escape, Jack almost knocks someone over. Someone quite beautiful. And mysterious. And his entire life-what he once was, who he is now, and who he could become-flashes before him. This contemporary retelling of Charles Dickens's classic story A Christmas Carol is funny, moving, and really makes you think.

Christmas Fiction Giveaway 11: "Christmas with Tucker" by Greg Kincaid

So, I have come to accept that I'm way behind on the giveaway days and can't seem to get all the books read in time, BUT I'm going to just go ahead and post the giveaways and read them in the mean time. So I'm posting the rest today! 

 

Merry December! I love Christmas! In December I become a sucker for the feel-good Christmas stories and I'm hoping some of you are too!

Starting today I will be giving away a Christmas-type themed fiction book for the next 12 days.  

Here's the rules:

1. Post a comment to let me know which books you would like to be entered to win. In your comment, answer the day's random Christmas question.

Today's question: Do you fill stockings with gifts?

We do!  I usually find little things like lip gloss and gum and put them in during the night of Christmas eve to open Christmas morning. We say they're from Santa, but the girls know who Sant really is...I had to tell them because my youngest was terrified of the idea of Santa coming into our house! She used to not even be able to be at the mall when he was there.  For some reason he really scared her.

2. Enter by the date for that day's book.
Today's date is December 19.  The winner will be announced the following day. I want to get these mailed to you before Christmas.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back the next day's giveaway!

Today's book is Christmas with Tucker by Greg Kincaid.

Description:

It is the winter of 1962, and Kansas is hit with one of the worst blizzards in its history. It is during this cruel season that twelve-year-old George is called upon to endure more than even most grown men could withstand—the death of his father and the upkeep of the family farm that is his legacy.

When his mother and sisters leave for Minnesota, George has only his grandparents and the companionship of Tucker, an Irish setter, to help him persevere through these most difficult challenges. Can he find the strength to walk the road that leads to healing, finding his true self and ultimately becoming a man? A coming-of-age story for readers of all ages, Christmas with Tucker is a classic Christmas story about a young man’s love for his dog, his family, and his farm.

Christmas Fiction Giveaway Number 10: "I'll be Home for Christmas" by Julie Cannon

So, I have come to accept that I'm way behind on the giveaway days and can't seem to get all the books read in time, BUT I'm going to just go ahead and post the giveaways and read them in the mean time. So I'm posting the rest today! 

 

Merry December! I love Christmas! In December I become a sucker for the feel-good Christmas stories and I'm hoping some of you are too!

Starting today I will be giving away a Christmas-type themed fiction book for the next 12 days.  

Here's the rules:

1. Post a comment to let me know which books you would like to be entered to win. In your comment, answer the day's random Christmas question.

Today's question: Favorite hot drink: hot chocolate, tea, coffee, cider?

Mine: Coffee with flavored cream!

2. Enter by the date for that day's book.
Today's date is December 19.  The winner will be announced the following day. I want to get these mailed to you before Christmas.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back the next day's giveaway!

Today's book is I'll be Home for Christmas by Julie Cannon.

Description:

With Bing Crosby's "I'll Be Home for Christmas" playing in the background, Maggie Culpepper and William Byrd proclaim their undying love to one another. But with the U.S. at war and Maggie's personal home front under attack, the Southern belle impetuously joins the WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service).

When Christmas draws near and Maggie finds herself miles and miles away from her Georgia hometown...and her beloved William...will she realize that, no matter where she spends Christmas, home is where her heart is?

Christmas Fiction Giveaway Day 9: "The Snowflake" by Jamie Carie

Merry December! I love Christmas! In December I become a sucker for the feel-good Christmas stories and I'm hoping some of you are too!

Starting today I will be giving away a Christmas-type themed fiction book for the next 12 days.  

Here's the rules:

1. Post a comment to let me know which books you would like to be entered to win. In your comment, answer the day's random Christmas question.

Today's question: What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Mine are "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Elf"

2. Enter by the date for that day's book.
Today's date is December 18.  The winner will be announced the following day. I want to get these mailed to you before Christmas.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back the next day's giveaway!

Today's book is The Snowflake by Jamie Carie.

Description:

Christmas 1897. Ellen Pierce and her brother are determined to reach the Alaska gold rush. But when ice stalls their steamship, all seems lost, until Buck Lewis makes a decision: he'll lead all who dare to follow on foot toward Dawson City.

Buck is determined to leave behind a heartbreaking past. No amount of ice or weather will stop him. But he never counted on a woman joining a dangerous wilderness trek--or on falling in love with her.

As their journey unfolds and Christmas approaches, Ellen and Buck discover that the greatest gift of all can't be wrapped in paper and tied with a bow. It comes from, and is received in, the heart.

Come share in a soul-deep romance that gives a joyful reminder of a redeeming God who makes us each unique, yet loves us all the same.

My Thoughts:

I'm still behind on my reading! We're getting a blizzard tomorrow though, so I expect to get lots of reading done then!

Christmas Fiction Giveaway Day 8: "All I Have to Give" by Melody Carlson

Merry December! I love Christmas! In December I become a sucker for the feel-good Christmas stories and I'm hoping some of you are too!

Starting today I will be giving away a Christmas-type themed fiction book for the next 12 days.  

Here's the rules:

1. Post a comment to let me know which books you would like to be entered to win. In your comment, answer the day's random Christmas question.

Today's question: Eggnog: yes or no?

My answer: I love it! Yum! I love eggnog taffy, eggnog chai lattes, and eggnog pie too!

2. Enter by the date for that day's book.
Today's date is December 17.  The winner will be announced the following day. I want to get these mailed to you before Christmas.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back the next day's giveaway!

Today's book is All I Have to Give by Melody Carlson.

Description:

In this delightful, present-day retelling of O'Henry's The Gift of the Magi, Anna and Michael's dreams of having a baby have come to an end. Amidst her heartache, Anna secretly struggles with strange health problems that have her very worried. But as each tries to give the other the perfect Christmas gift, the magic of Christmas is working its way into their lives in a surprising way.

My Thoughts:

I just barely started this book.  I'm behind because I was working on a big project for church today.  I can't wait to read it tomorrow because who doesn't love a Christmas story by Melody Carlson?! :)

 

Christmas Fiction Giveaway Day 7: "Christmas At Harrington's" by Melody Carlson

Merry December! I love Christmas! In December I become a sucker for the feel-good Christmas stories and I'm hoping some of you are too!

Starting today I will be giving away a Christmas-type themed fiction book for the next 12 days.  

Here's the rules:

1. Post a comment to let me know which books you would like to be entered to win. In your comment, answer the day's random Christmas question.

Today's question: do you get a white Christmas where you live?

2. Enter by the date for that day's book.
Today's date is December 16.  The winner will be announced the following day. I want to get these mailed to you before Christmas.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back the next day's giveaway!

Today's book is Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson.

Description:

Christmas is coming, but Lena Markham isn't looking forward to it. After being imprisoned on false charges, she's released---penniless and friendless. When her secondhand red coat lands her a job as Mrs. Santa, she thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret? A delightful story about fresh starts!

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book! It's a wonderful feel-good story by the fabulous Melody Carlson.  I really liked the character Lena and her ability to allow herself a fresh start.

Christmas Fiction Giveaway Day 6: "Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball" by Donita K. Paul

 

Merry December! I love Christmas! In December I become a sucker for the feel-good Christmas stories and I'm hoping some of you are too!

Starting today I will be giving away a Christmas-type themed fiction book for the next 12 days.  

Here's the rules:

1. Post a comment to let me know which books you would like to be entered to win. In your comment, answer the day's random Christmas question.

Today's question: Fruitcake: yes or no?

ME: NO! 

2. Enter by the date for that day's book.
Today's date is December 15.  The winner will be announced the following day. I want to get these mailed to you before Christmas.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back the next day's giveaway!

Today's book is Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul.

Description:

Irrepressible Cora Crowder is shopping for the holidays. While visiting Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad's bookshop, she meets quiet Simon Derrick---and they both discover tickets to an enchanting event in their purchases. But Simon wants to take his sister, so Cora gives him her invitation. Will the mysterious matchmaking booksellers get their romantic plans straightened out?

My Thoughts:

A wonderful and fun book! I loved the combination of magical events with the down-to-earth personalities of Cora and Simon. I enjoyed it very much!  A wonderful little romance!

Christmas Fiction Giveaway Day 5: "The Shoe Box" by Francine Rivers

Merry December! I love Christmas! In December I become a sucker for the feel-good Christmas stories and I'm hoping some of you are too!

Starting today I will be giving away a Christmas-type themed fiction book for the next 12 days.  

Here's the rules:

1. Post a comment to let me know which books you would like to be entered to win. In your comment, answer the day's random Christmas question.

Today's question: Are you an early Christmas shopper or a last-minute gift buyer?

I'm somewhere in between.  I get about 1/2 done before Thanksgiving and the rest in little bits until Christmas. There's always one or two last minute ones that I forget to get ahead of time too. 

2. Enter by the date for that day's book.
Today's date is December 13.  The winner will be announced the following day. I want to get these mailed to you before Christmas.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back the next day's giveaway!

Today's book is The Shoe Box by Francine Rivers.

Description:

Curl up by the Christmas tree and lose yourself in the unforgettable story of Timmy, a foster child with a special and mysterious shoe box! Designed for gift giving, this heartwarming book features beautiful black-and-white illustrations, Francine's favorite holiday recipes and traditions, and the complete Christmas story from the New Living Translation.

My Thoughts:

A short little story with a feel-good message and a great reminder about giving our hearts and lives to Jesus. 

Christmas Fiction Givaway Day 4: "A Plain and Simple Christmas" by Amy Clipson

Merry December! I love Christmas! In December I become a sucker for the feel-good Christmas stories and I'm hoping some of you are too!

Starting today I will be giving away a Christmas-type themed fiction book for the next 12 days.  

Here's the rules:

1. Post a comment to let me know which books you would like to be entered to win. In your comment, answer the day's random Christmas question.

Today's question: When do you open Christma gifts with your immediate family? The four of us (my husband, our daughters, and me) open gifts together on Christmas morning.

 

2. Enter by the date for that day's book.
Today's date is December 12.  The winner will be announced the following day. I want to get these mailed to you before Christmas.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back the next day's giveaway!

Today's book is A Plain and Simple Christmas by Amy Clipson.

Description

When Anna Mae McDonough left her Amish community four years ago to marry David, an Englisher, her family shunned her. Now eight months pregnant with their first child, she longs to return home for Christmas. But when she arrives, she doesn't receive the welcome she expects. Will it cause her to question her faith in God?

My Thoughts:

I'm a bit behind on my reading. I've read a few chapters and am enjoying it very much.