WOW Tours - The Christmas Village

Let's kick of the Christmas season with a bang.  Today I am hosting a giveaway.

Today I'm the hostess for the WOW (Women On Writing) Tours.  A group of women bloggers each host a day this week to introduce you to author Melissa Goodwin.

I'm so excited to share with you . . .

Please let me introduce to you:  Melissa Ann Goodwin.

Her Bio: 

Melissa is a native New Englander, now living in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her husband, artist J. Richard Secor.  She has written extensively for Fun for Kidz, Boys’ Quest, and Hopscotch for Girls.  She was a regular feature article contributor to the Caregiver's Home Companion for more than five years.  Her work has appeared in Guideposts’ Angels on Earth, Caregivers’ Home Companion, Caring Today, The Lutheran Digest, The Peak Magazine, The Andover Townsman, and the Martha’s Vineyard Gazette.  The Christmas Village is her first novel.

I was lucky enough to receive a signed copy of The Christmas Village yesterday.  I was up part of the night reading this great book.

About The Christmas Village:

"When Jamie Reynolds comes to his grandparents' Vermont home for Christmas, he just wants things to go back to the way they were before his dad disappeared.  Time and again he is drawn to Grandma's miniature Christmas village, where he imagines that life is perfect.  Late one night, the village comes to life before his eyes, and his fantasy of escaping into it becomes very read indeed.  Jamie discovers that the village is called Canterbury, where the year is 1932.  He becomes fast friends with Kelly and Christopher Pennysworth, and is taken in by Ida, who runs the local boarding house.  But he also makes a dangerous enemy of the mysterious and menacing Jim Gordon, whose return to town is nothing but trouble.  As Jamie desperately races against time to find his way back home, he is suddenly faces with a terrifying choice:  to go ahead with his plan to leave, or to stay and help his friends, at the risk of never going home again."

The book is an easy read and full of fun adventures.  It is a wonderful story about Jamie and his imagination.  

The book keeps you fully entertained as the mystery of Canterbury and Jim unfolds.  Melissa's writing style is fresh and vivid.

My rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 5

Join the fun and come along on the adventure of The Christmas Village.

For more information on Melissa and her fabulous book, check out these resources:

Melissa's blog, Writer Yogini.

The book has it's own blog, The Christmas Village Book.

The book's Facebook page.

The author's Twitter page.

                               

If you can't wait to read The Christmas Village, click here to purchase the book now.

Now onto the giveaway . . .

Leave a comment (about the book, about the blog, about Christmas) this week and I'll announce the winner on Sunday, November 27th.  Only four days left to enter the giveaway to receive a copy of The Christmas Village.

The Real Magic of Santa Claus

Is Santa Real?  Eventually all kids will ask. This time need not be one of sadness and disappointment for the child or the adult.

The Real Magic of Santa Claus, will answer their questions honestly, but in a way that won’t leave them disappointed. The book is a lesson in love and sharing. Children come away realizing they are part of something special.

Not only does the author tell a bit of the history of the man (who lived over 1,000 years ago), but he offers fun statistics about Santa (like how much milk he must drink if he gets a glass at every child's house) that make it clear to children Santa can't be real.

Or can he? The author gently explains how Santa Claus is real.
This is an excellent resource to introduce children to the real meaning behind the magic of Santa Claus.  Anthony answers questions truthfully.  The book allows the reader to come to their own conclusion.  Readers soon discover that the answer opens up a new chapter in their lives. 

Santa is not a man in a red suit -- he's based on a true figure who has taught us to be generous and caring -- but readers do find that Santa is real.

The Real Magic of Santa Claus

Written and Illustrated by Anthony Canamucio

acanamucio@yahoo.com

Celebrate the Holidays

Each day leading up to December 25th, visitors open a virtual door to reveal a way to give back to their community or contribute to global programs. In addition to charitable tips, behind each door visitors can find festive surprises including tracks from Peter Buffett’s beautiful holiday album, Star of Wonder, behind-the-scenes vlogs, and a first look at excerpts from Peter's upcoming book, Life is What You Make It.

The calendar can be viewed here: www.peterbuffett.com/advent.

Prepare Your Heart for a Great Christmas

Check out this wonderful devotional journal for women. It features scripture-based reflections and journal pages for gratitude, intention, and to-do lists. Written by a Christian mom and beginning on Thanksgiving Day and ending on the Feast of the Epiphany, the book is an insightful prayer companion for busy moms!

Santa's Personalized Stories

Wouldn't you like to have one of Santa's stories personalized for you?!

Pick a theme:
Elf For a Day
Christmas Eve Clean-up
North Pole Christmas Party

Then, enter your personal information. Lastly, click "Read the Story" or "Print a Personalized Story Book" to create your very own book.

http://www.northpole.com/PersonalizedStories/

The Ultimate Blog Party 2009

Welcome to 365 Days of Christmas!

My Brief Introduction

I am: a single mother, a foster mother, a college graduate, a Master's of Education candidate, a feminist, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece, a heterosexual, a lover and owner of Chihuahuas, a lover and previous owner of Cocker Spaniels, eclectic, sassy, unique, allergic to milk, an Internet addict, a Christian, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a counselor, a teacher, a kid at heart, an adult, a woman, a female, a sexual assault survivor, someone working to prevent sexual assault, a chocoholic, a book lover, a scrapbook artist, a photographer, German, Welsh, American, 5'1", a blog junkie, a Christmas fanatic, an advocate for children, supporter of education, a crime show watcher, a hopeful writer . . . I am ME.

To learn more about me, go to my main blog, All Things Cherished.
To learn more about my love of scrapbooking, 365 Days of Memories.
To learn more about getting organized, go to 365 Days of Organization.

Giveaways

Here, at 365 Days of Christmas, the prize is a lovely, hardcover book titled The Heart & Home of Christmas by Karla Dornacher. Artist Karla Dornacher celebrates the Christmas season with her first holiday title. Page after cozy page features her signature artwork with its warm and home-style feel, along with her gentle words of inspiration. I love this book and am so excited to be able to share it with one lucky winner.

If you are interested in this book, please a comment as to why you are interested in receiving this prize and what your favorite part of Christmas is.

At All Things Cherished, the prize is an awesome journal you share with your child. Pillow Talk is a creative way to communicate with your child. Got a secret to share, some admiration to express, or a word of thanks for a job well done? Why not put it in writing? On the pages of Pillow Talk, you'll find 100 relationship building questions for you and your child to answer. In today's world of virtual communication, give your kids the real deal. Something tangible they can see and touch and look at again and again, whenever they want to feel connected with you. The journal is an awesome way to bond with your child(ren) and I am so happy to be able to give one to a lucky winner.

At 365 Days of Memories, the prize is a four-pack of handmade cards (see below). I love scrapbooking and paper-crafting. Recently, I have gotten some very nice compliments on my cards. I am excited to give one lucky winner a pack of four cards for various occasions and holidays.

At 365 Days of Organization, the prize is a high-quality, full-color planner. You have a choice of one planner from primary age through high-school aged children or adults. The dates are from July 2009 through June 2010 so, of course, they are current calendars. There are quotes and other misc. information included. I am happy to be able to share two planners with two lucky winners.

Thanks for stopping by.

Freebie of the Month - A Homemade Christmas

A Homemade Christmas

You will find all those wonderful Christmas recipes everyone loves from the main meal to the cake in this sensational Christmas ebook.

Download:
http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/javanof.asp?MerchantID=78272&ProductID=2749776