The Christmas Train by Thomas S Monson – Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

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The Christmas Train

In this children’s picture book, President Thomas S. Monson recounts a Christmas memory from his childhood. As a boy, he yearned for an electric train. To his delight, on Christmas morning he got exactly that a train that operated through the miracle of electricity. Then he noticed a second train that his mother had purchased for the boy down the street whose family was struggling. Although it was only a wind-up train, it had an beautiful oil tanker car, which little Tommy wanted for his own. Soon after, Tommy s mother invited him to accompany her to the neighbor s home to deliver the gift. Young Mark was thrilled with his new train and, of course, didn t notice the missing train car. However, a remorseful Tommy did. What happened next will bring the spirit of Christmas into every heart and home. Illustrated by renowned artist Dan Burr, The Christmas Train is sure to be a classic Christmas story and a beautiful addition to every Christmas library.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

 

Includes a QR code for a FREE download of President Monson’s narration of the story!

Winner of the 2012 Gold Medal Mom’s Choice Award!

Download the new interactive Christmas Train app for your iPad!
The pages come alive with animations, sound effects, and narration by the author, Thomas S. Monson. Kids will love listening to a true Christmas story, read by a familiar voice, while navigating trains, turning Christmas lights on and off, and experiencing the importance of giving during the Christmas season.

Click Here to Learn More  About the Author

President Thomas S. Monson was set apart as the sixteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. He had previously served for twenty-two years in the First Presidency of the Church, after having been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since October1963. Five years after his call to the Twelve, he was given a special assignment for the work of the Church in Europe, requiring many visits with members behind the Iron Curtain. He was instrumental in the construction of the Freiberg Germany Temple and in advancing the Lord’s work in other eastern European countries that were part of the communist bloc. He also served as chairman of the Scriptures Publication Committee and supervised the process that resulted in the new editions of the scriptures. His ministry has been characterized by his compassion for the needs of individuals and his gift for one-on-one service. President Monson and his wife, Frances, are the parents of three children, grandparents of eight, and great-grandparents of eight.

About the Illustrator

Dan Burr earned his bachelor of fine arts degree from Utah State University and a master’s degree in illustration from Syracuse University. He and his wife, Patti, are raising their two children in the Teton Valley of southeast Idaho, a setting that provides great artistic inspiration and fantastic fly fishing. Dan is a well-known illustrator, having been in the business for many years, most recently working as a children’s picture book illustrator. A few of the books Dan has illustrated are The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes; God Bless Your Way; A Christmas Journey; and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Guest Post – Living Seperate Lives by Paulette Harper

Hi all! I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays. It’s my favorite time of the year and, once it’s gone, I truly miss it. This is book time, though, so on to today’s post. I love books for many reasons and I have to admit that I love blogging about books. Sharing all of my favorites reads with all of you is a pleasure but today will be a Guest post by Miss Paulette Harper. Miss Paulette’s new book Living Separate Lives is newly released (November 10th) and I am glad to be a part of her blog tour. Take it away Miss Paulette!

Spell Fire by Ariella Moon – Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Tour Schedule

 

 

Spell Fire, The Teen Wytche Saga #3

By Ariella Moon

Summary

New school. New friends. New reputation. High school sophomore Ainslie Avalon-Bennett works hard to hide her Crazy Girl past. But as long as her best friend’s disappearance remains unsolved, she can’t shake the depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder that once landed her in a mental ward.

 

Ainslie’s tenuous control over her life shatters when her warring parents ditch her at Christmas. While they take a cruise to “work things out,” Ainslie must spend the holiday in Palm Springs with her aunt and uncle, owners of a struggling Mystery School and occult store. Plunged into the world of fire fortunes, dragons, entity eaters, and an ailing spell book, Ainslie is well beyond her comfort zone. Then she meets a boy who spikes her pulse and calms her OCD. But will she lose him once he discovers her past? Or will his deadly secret, hidden in plain view, be their undoing?

   Author Ariella Moon

Ariella Moon writes about magic, friendship, secrets, and love in her Young Adult novels, Spell Check, Spell Struck, and Spell Fire, Books 1, 2, & 3 in The Teen Wytche Saga. Ariella spent her childhood searching for a magical wardrobe that would transport her to Narnia. Extreme math anxiety, and taller students who mistook her for a leaning post, marred Ariella’s teen years. Despite these horrors, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Davis. An author and shaman, she now lives a nearly normal life with her extraordinary daughter, shamelessly spoiled dog, and an enormous dragon.

  

 

Spell Fire Excerpt #1

 

 

My body elongated, and I swore I grew six inches. Inside the cafe, there was no line. Another miracle. I paused beneath the fern‑painted ceiling fan and scanned the wall menu. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but a weird craving fueled my search.

The dragon exerted pressure between my shoulder blades, prompting me. “A Scorpion’s Nest smoothie.”

Morningstar leaned over the high counter and gave me a once‐over. “You feeling okay?”

I licked my lips. “Absolutely.” I had never tasted an orange juice, vanilla ice cream, and peanut butter combo, but I slapped the countertop and said, “I’m fine. Hit me.”

Morningstar tilted her head to one side and studied me.

Oh — crap. Maybe I’m dragon drunk.

I wiped the drool from the corner of my mouth stood straighter. I could do this. I could act normal and in control. Behind me, the dragon blew on my hair. I clawed back the stray locks. “Strong ceiling fan.”

Morningstar glanced up. I held my gaze steady on her face and tried to remember if the fan was actually on. I couldn’t hear the whir of its motor or feel the stir of cool air. I can’t feel anything. I went for distraction and slipped a ten across the counter.

Morningstar leveled her gaze, then handed me my change. “I’ll bring the smoothie to your table.”

“Cool.” My eyes crossed. I pivoted and fell out of my right flip‐‑flop. Fortunately, the place was almost empty, and I didn’t think anyone saw me stumble. Still, my face heated as I chose a table with plenty of space behind it for the dragon and my invisible wings.

“Mind if I join you for a minute?” Morningstar asked when she brought my drink.

“Please.” I giggled, giddy with dragon energy. I was a bright, beneficent angel among earthlings. I was — as crazy as my parents feared.

 

 

   Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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A Marriage In Middlebury | Enter Anita Higman’s Double Kindle Fire Giveaway & RSVP for “Tea for Two” 12/12 Facebook Party!

Cover Rating: 5 Stars*****

Blurb:

One decision changed both their lives . . . but will love win in the end? Charlotte Rose Hill enjoys a comfortable life serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky, devoted customers. The only thing lacking is someone to share it with. At eighteen she denied Sam Wilder’s marriage proposal after his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. They both moved on . . . or so she thought. When Sam walks back into her life more than a decade later, Charlotte is surprised that her heart still quickens. But is it because of his presence? Or because of the presence of Sam’s new fiancée? A second chance at love doesn’t happen often, but their past may keep them apart. Is it too late for Sam and Charlotte?

You can Purchase it here: Amazon * B&N * BAM * CBD * Deeper Shopping

About the Author:

Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, is the author or coauthor of thirty-five books for adults and children. She has recently been honored with a 2013 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award and is a two-time finalist in the 2013 Selah Awards as well as a finalist in the 2013 Cascade Awards. She holds a BA in the combined fields of speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

You can find Anita here: Website * Facebook * Twitter

 

~My Review~

Charlotte Rose Hill spends her days blending special teas for the town of Middlebury at The Rose Hill Cottage Tearoom and one thing she has discovered is you can’t change the past no matter how much you would like to. When Charlotte was eighteen she gave up the one thing she loved most. Sam Wilder was her one true love and all she wanted was to marry him and have a family but Sam’s father forced her to give him up because of her lineage by threatening to expose a family secret to the whole town of Middlebury. In order to save Sam’s relationship with his father, Charlotte walked away without telling Sam why. Now, nineteen years later, Sam is back in Middlebury with some news of his own–he’s getting married–and Charlotte is devastated. Her feelings for Sam are still just as strong but she knows she must do the right thing and keep her feelings a secret. But can she stand by and let the love of her life marry another?

Sam Wilder was heartbroken all those years ago when Charlotte walked away from him and he still doesn’t understand why. But life moves on and his upcoming wedding is proof of that. Moving back home to Middlebury seemed like the right thing to do but now, after seeing Charlotte for the first time, he’s not so sure. All of the old feelings he thought were locked away for good are now haunting his every waking minute. Sam made a promise to his fiancé but how can he marry one woman while still loving another? When secrets start to come out and lies unfurl will their lives change course or are they destined to be apart?

Marriage in Middlebury is my second book by Anita Higman and I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. Middlebury is portrayed as a quaint little town, one that I would love to live in, and I like that. I can relate to a story more when I love the setting. I want to talk about the characters also. Charlotte has such a loving, forgiving spirit. She is a giver and seldom a taker and she handles every situation so well. With finesse even. I would inspire to be like Charlotte. The whole town loves her and she is forever thinking of others above herself. Charlotte is the persona of everything good and wholesome. I love that. Sam is a real great guy too. Always seeing the good in people and extending a helping hand. You can’t help but love Him. But there are other characters that you will love and that make this story complete. Pastor Wally, Mr. LaGrange (an atheist alcoholic), Justine Yule (the town hobo?), Nelly (Sam’s cook) who had the cutest way of saying things, and Meredith Steinberg who is a modern day “Mrs. Miracle” matchmaker. Middlebury is a place for romance and it’s definitely in the air. The characters are so endearing and the story is so well written that I couldn’t help but love it. If the story wasn’t wrapped up so well I would suggest a series. It has a Debbie MaComber quality to me and, if you like wholesome small town romances, you will love this book!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine and mine alone. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

My Rating: 5 Stars*****

*Tweetables*

Tweet Me Please!: “God must love dust. He created us.”

Tweet Me Please!: “My dear, if there is a God… I see him in your face.”

Tweet Me Please!: “Better to be slain by God than reign as queen on Satan’s throne.”

Q & A: I ask the question and you answer with your own personal thoughts! 🙂

Charlotte owned a Tearoom where she blended her own special teas and also served food. Have you ever been to a Tearoom? How was your experience?

Anita Higman is celebrating the release of her latest book, A Marriage in Middlebury, with a double Kindle Fire giveaway (one for you & one to give away!) and a “Tea for Two” Facebook Author Chat Party on December 12th.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire for you AND a friend
• A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman (one to keep and one to give away!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 12th. Winner will be announced at the “Tea for Two” Facebook Author Chat Party on December 12th. Invite your friends and connect with Anita for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Anita’s next book!


So grab your copy of A Marriage in Middlebury and join Anita on the evening of December 12th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on 12/12!