And the WINNER is...

 First, let me thank everyone that entered my giveaway.  Those that opted for two prizes - one for each blog - far outnumbered those that wanted one 'winner take all'.  So, I have two winners to announce!

Susan, over at Christian Writer/Reader Connection, was the winner from this blog.  She will receive a $25,000 gift card... whoops!  TYPO... a $25.00 gift card from Borders / Waldenbooks.  (Sorry, I couldn't resist having a little fun.)  She can finally buy that much wanted book that didn't show up under the Christmas tree!

The survey results from this contest told me you mostly enjoy reading about my journey and random essays, along with book excerpts from my WIP.  But everything on the list was checked at least once, so I'll try to include all those things in this year's posts.  I will keep my focus, however, on those topics you said you enjoy most.

The winning entry from my farm blog came from Rhonda over at Shellbelles Tiki Hut.  When she replied with her snail-mail address, she told me there is a Bath and Body Works just down the street from her home!  How nice... especially since her prize is a $25M gift card from there!  Oops... another typo.  $25 is the limit on her card.  Sorry Rhonda.

I sure learned something from the survey on this one!   I learned that I have two kinds of readers... one type can't make up their minds, and the others want it all!  Yes, most of you said, 'whatever you like' or check every box in the list.  So, I guess I will continue with a similar mix to what I've been posting on there.

I love giving gifts!  

Perhaps I'll make this an annual event. 

Thanks again to all that participated.

Time is running out!

This is your last chance to enter my give-away.  The deadline is tomorrow January 28th.  I'm SO excited to announce my winner!  Hope it's you...

PS  be sure to scroll on the entry form

Try it... you'll like it!

Or maybe not.

Call me old and set in my ways, but yes, I was resistant to the move to digital novels.  I didn't resist the change in other media. I love reading news and magazine articles online.  I love doing online research.  I'm addicted to my PC.  But books?  No.  I love holding a book in my hands... the feel of turning the pages.  Then I got a Blackberry.

I'm one of those I only need my phone to make and receive calls kinda people.  (I still don't like texting, but do use the feature with a few friends.)  Around Christmastime, I was having increasing trouble with my old cell phone.  It had seen better days.  It was time for a new one.  Mr J and I talked it over... we didn't want to be left behind by technology.  We decided it was time for smart phones.

Within twenty-four hours of receiving my new Blackberry Torch, I had downloaded the NLT version of the Bible, and several more free ebooks along with the Nook app.  I was hooked.  I read more books in one week than I used to read in a month!  But there was one I didn't read.

I won't mention the name of the ebook I deleted without reading past the first chapter.  I would bet it was a self-pub.  I can't see that MS making an impression on an agent or publisher.  It wasn't just that it was slow starting... after many pages, the most I learned was how the MC loved her cat!

Last night I finished reading Deeper Water by Robert Whitlow.  It was equally slow, yet I read it through to the end.  What was the difference?  Basically, the quality of the writing and how the characters appealed to me.  I was intrigued by the main character, as well as her entire family.  I was surprised to discover that it was Christian fiction.  My purpose here isn't to review the book, but I do recommend it, and I am likely to purchase future ebooks by that author.

The focus of this post is on the try it before you buy it feature of ebooks.  Most ebooks sources will allow you to preview a book before investing the money to buy it.  Some will let you read several chapters even!  No more standing in the aisle of a store reading the jacket and the first pages.

OK, I know this isn't breaking news.  But it is an important point.  What if my WIP is released as an ebook?  Once they've read the first chapter, are readers going to fork out the bucks to read the rest?

I shared the story of the deleted ebook with Jody Hedlund, debut author of The Preacher's Bride.  She replied that it fit with what she was preparing to post this week -  The Increasing Importance of the First Chapter.  There's no need for me to discuss it any further.  She has covered the topic well in this post.  Please do read it and let me know your thoughts.

Just a reminder...

You have one week left to enter my give-away.  The deadline is January 28th!

Broadening My Horizons Part 2 - Review of The Preacher's Bride

In a prior post, I told you that I gave my oldest grand two autographed books for Christmas.  Even though neither book was the usual genre (contemporary fiction) I read, I was anxious to read these debut works of authors I follow here on Blogger.

In my first post of Broadening My Horizons, I reviewed Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.  I had to wait to get hold of the other book.  

Last night, I borrowed Dani's copy of The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund. Tonight, I finished it.  I couldn't put it down!  

The story takes place within a group of Puritans as they are engaged in a struggle against the Anglican Church. Elizabeth Whitbread is thrown into the life of John Costin, a Puritan preacher, when his wife suddenly passes from this world, leaving John with four children to tend, including a newborn son not likely to survive.  Elizabeth's personal fortitude and her passion to do God's will leads her to ruffle the feathers of the community leaders in order to save the life of this tiny baby. She is then persuaded to become a housekeeper to the widower, despite his protests.

As John faces pressure from the Anglican Church, and threats from a man with a grudge against the Puritan evangelist, John and Elizabeth's faith is put to the test.

My thoughts:  I've read lots of Christian fiction.  This one ranks high on the list.  Very high.

This book is a true page-turner, lacking the gaps that can weigh down an otherwise good story.  Jody's character development is sensational.  Not only were the main characters rich with personality, the secondary characters were just as full of life.  I truly felt like I knew these people.  I could smell, hear, feel...  Jody accomplished the task of painting a picture of the times.  Her writing not only took me into the story, it took me into the age.

I truly look forward to more books from this author.  I definitely recommend this one for the nightstand.  Two thumbs up.

 

 (Click HERE to read Jody's post on the initial reviews.)

Broadening My Horizons - Review of Paranormalcy

 If you read my last post, you know that I gave my oldest granddaughter a signed copy of Paranormalcy for Christmas.  Dani started reading it immediately, and was finished in a day! She called it one of the best books she's ever read.  That's sayin' a lot, coming from my little bookworm!  

I wanted to read it, too.  When I asked her where it was, she inquired, "Um... are you a fast reader?  I mean, I really want to take it home with me."  Well, hmph!  I grabbed the book as the clock began ticking...

Here is the profile pic of Kiersten White I grabbed from her blog page, Kiersten Writes.  I had thoughts of interviewing Kiersten for this post, but alas, she is off preparing to write the third and final book of the trilogy, and so posted that she is no longer available for interviews.  Understandable.

Even though I normally don't read much YA paranormal stuff, I wanted to read this book.  Not only had I followed Kiersten's career, and read with excitement when the she got the three-book deal, but I love her style of writing on the blog.  Her sense of humor is delightful.  I had no idea how that personality would show up on the printed page.


But it did!  Delightfully so!    Kiersten's imagination matches her wit.  She has invented such lively, original characters in this novel - not the typical dark, sullen types of other books in this genre.  Even though I never read the Twilight series, I had seen a couple of the movies with my granddaughters.  The characters in Kiersten's book do not compare... or should I say Twilight does not compare with Paranormalcy.  (No offense meant... just sayin'.)  Evie, the main character of the book, does not fall head over heels for the vampire!  Nor does she fear them...  (except for the one time when she burst into that room!)  In fact, she detests...  (bites lip)  Well, I don't want to spoil it for you.  Trust me.  It's not the typical vampire novel.  Not at all!

I don't want to discourage any Twilight fans from reading this book.  Dani is a HUGE Twilight fan.  She faints at the thought of Edward...  Well, maybe that's an exageration, but not much.  Anyway, any YA paranormal fan will find this book fantastic.  I just think it has appeal beyond the normal audience.

From the first page to the last, the dialog and action kept me turning pages.  I couldn't put it down.  I'm sure that while writing this novel, Kiersten didn't have a mid-50s audience in mind, but hey, I loved it!  I'm sure I'll love the movie, too.  (No, I don't have any breaking news on that front... again, just sayin'.)

Bottom line:  Two thumbs up.  Read the book!  Whether or not you're a vampire fan.  There's a reason that this debut author made the NYT Best Seller's List.  It's a very easy and enjoyable read.  I'm looking forward to book two around September of this year.

Christmas, New Year, Give-Away! (in that order)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  It humbles me to think that God chose to come and live among us, experiencing life the way we do.  I keep my Christmas simple and focus on Him rather than all the hustle and bustle.  But, of course, I still shop for the perfect gifts.

You know those people that are really hard to buy for?  Aren't teens the worst?  Like I'm going to pick something she thinks looks hot.  I really don't like just giving money or something equally impersonal.  But neither do I enjoy picking a gift from a written list.  Well, I struck gold this year!

My oldest grand is sixteen.  (Was that an understanding sigh I heard?)  Dani is a bookworm who also writes, and wants to complete a book of her own someday.  She loves YA paranormal and historical fiction.  Books are always a safe bet with her, as long as you check to see if she's already got it.

A little backstory:  You know I follow a lot of up-and-coming writers... some of whom have since become published authors.  One in particular caught my eye... Kiersten White.  I love her sense of humor and the way she writes.  Even though it wasn't my particular genre, I did want to read her book when it got published.  Well, now she's famous!  Yep, Paranormalcy made the  NYT best sellers list.  It's her first book!  How awesome is that?

Anyway, I've been keeping Dani up-t0-date on Kiersten's career.  She thought it was so cool that I actually 'knew' this best-selling author.  It would have been so cool to take her to one of Kiersten's book signings, but I couldn't just pop us out to California for Christmas.  So I sent her a note, inquiring about obtaining a signed copy.   With her advice,  I found a bookstore in Illinois that had some left-0ver autographed copies of her hit Paranormalcy , and would ship one to me!  (Could've had it personalized but Barnes and Noble, where she had an upcoming signing, only ships from its warehouse.  Bah, humbug!)

Dani, along with her three sisters, spent the week before Christmas with us on the farm.  I let them have their presents a few days early, so they had fun with them while visiting.  Here is Dani with her signed copy of Paranormalcy.  She told me it was one of the best Christmas presents EVER!  Dani had the book read in one day, and then graciously let me borrow it, as long as I finished it in a day!  She didn't want to leave it behind when she went home on Christmas Eve.  (More on that later.)  She had me check to see when the next book comes out.  It will probably be a late birthday gift.  I promised her that if Kiersten's tour brings her within driving distance, we will go and meet her, and bring back that personalized, autographed book!

I had another surprise coming for her...

Recently, I checked my e-mail to discover I had won a signed copy of Jody Hedlund's The Preacher's Bride!  I couldn't believe my good fortune!  I've been following Jody's blog for a while, too.  She writes Christian historical fiction; another of Dani's favorites!  She said she'd personalize the copy however I wanted.  I sent her a reply... "If it's not asking too much..."

Happily, the book arrived on Christmas Eve, before Dani left for home.  Here is a photo of the inscription that Jody wrote in the book.  Needless to say, Dani was thrilled!  I do hope she remembers these books next year when I'll probably give her a gift card.  I also hope she lets me borrow this book when I see her tomorrow.  I didn't get a chance to read it yet!

Well, you've waited long enough... I'm ready to hold my contest.  What a great way to start a new year!  Just in case you didn't get all you wanted, I've got some gifts for you.  Just be sure to enter before the deadline!

Everyone needs a little pampering, but if you're all stocked  up on this stuff, the card is also honored at The White Barn  Candle Co.  You'll definitely be able to get rid of the barnyard smell!  (My farm blog followers will think that's funny.)

I know lots of you got e-readers for Christmas. (My daughter got a Nook Color!)  Others got some good 0ld-fashioned actual books.  If you didn't get enough, or didn't get the ones you wanted, well, here's your chance.  This card is good at Borders, Waldenbooks, and Brentano's.  Of course, if you did get all the books you want (crazy idea) you can also use if for CDs and lots of other items in their stores and online.

I'm also including a little something from the farm.  (I like surprises, so I'm keeping that secret for now.)

Here's the best part...  you can enter more than once, and YOU determine the prize package!  This contest is also going on at my other blog.  I couldn't decide whether to award the bookstore gift card here, and the other one there, or to have one winner get everything.   That's where you come in...

On the entry form below, you get to vote on whether the contest is a combined prize package with one winner, or two separate prizes with one winner from each blog.  So what will it be?  Double the odds, or double the prize?