Category: Giveaway

Giant Victoria Lily Pads

3/5/2020

Woman playing violin, standing on lily pad at Shaw's Garden (Missouri Botanical Garden), in front of Linnean House, c1905. Courtesy of Missouri History Museum, Public Domain

The woman in the above image is playing her violin while standing on a giant lily pad. Sound incredible? It's not. The leaves of the Victoria regia can grow up to 8 feet across depending on conditions. With a fascinating underside that allows it to support weight, many historical images show people standing or sitting on the giant leaves.

If you're interested in learning more, and seeing historical images about this wonderful plant that grows in the wilds of South America and many of the world's botanical gardens, check out my post on the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog.

Valentine Ephemera

2/5/2020

Valentine in form of a bank note. Philadelphia c. 1852. Library of Congress, Public Domain

With Valentine's Day coming up I'm showing three pieces of Valentine ephemera including picture and word puzzles.

And keeping with the topic, I'm giving away a print copy of The Secret Admirer Romance Collection which contains 9 novellas, including my love note story, Love in Store. (Bookmark in the right column shows the book and love notes.)

So head on over to the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog and get yourself entered for the giveaway by leaving a comment before midnight, Feb 5th.

Mid-Month Madness Facebook Party

11/15/2017

History, Heroes, and Heroines Blog is have a book party featuring some of their authors on this event site and on their blog. http://www.hhhistory.com/
They will feature some of their latest books and give away some great prizes on FB and the blog. Join us for books, #giveaways, and lots of fun.
Join 7 authors from Heroes, Heroines, and History Blog as they discuss their books. Grand prize includes a book from each author.

Here's the schedule for November 15, 2017::
3:00 EST (2:00 CST, 1:00 MST, 12:00 PST) – Anita Mae Draper
3:30 EST (2:30 CST, 1:30 MST, 12:30 PST) – Kathy Rouser
4:00 EST (3:00 CST, 2:00 MST, 1:00 PST) - Amber Schamel
4:30 EST (3:30 CST, 2:30 MST, 1:30 PST) - Debbie Lynne Costello
5:00 EST (4:00 CST, 3:00 MST, 2:00 PST) - Nancy J. Farrier
5:30 EST (4:30 CST, 3:30 MST, 2:30 PST) – Joan Hochstetler
6:00 EST (5:00 CST, 4:00 MST, 3:00 PST) – Tamera Lynn Kraft

Contest rules:
You must be 18 to enter. Recipients must live in the US unless otherwise noted. Recipients will not hold Facebook liable in any way for the results of this contest. This contest is sponsored by the authors listed. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administrated by, or associated with, Facebook. Winners will be notified on this event page on November 15, 2017 before 11:00 pm EDT. Winners have until November 16th at midnight EDT to contact the owners of this page with their mailing address. If winners fail to notify the owners of this page by the deadline, prizes will be forfeited.

19th Century Toys & Giveaway

6/7/2017

Christmas 1960, Anita Mae Draper and Bonnie, Camp 5, Stevens, Ontario

For the record, the above photograph of me and my sister is about 50 years later than the ones you'll find over at Heroes, Heroines and History where I'm showing photographs of children and their late 19th century toys. Why? Because I want to show you some of the toys that can be found in the toy corner of my hero, Adam Hazelton's Emporium in my novella, Love in Store, which is contained in The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. And yes, my post includes a little tea set, although probably smaller than the one pictured above.

And I have a #giveaway of a copy of The Secret Admirer Romance Collection going on until midnight Sunday June 11th, but you have to leave a comment on my Late 19th Century Toys - and a Giveaway post to be entered.

Botanical Conservatories at HHH

1/4/2017

Oh, the delight of puttering around a colorful conservatory with the smell of damp vegetation hanging in the air while the cold wind blows pristine snow crystals through the air outside the glass-paned enclosure. That is the reality of my past, as well as the imagery I wanted for my fictional heroine in my newest release, the novella, Sweet Love Grows, which is found in The American Heiress Brides Collection. Well, perhaps not exactly since I set the story in the spring time due to the plot, but I hope you got the picture.

If you haven't already entered my Sweet Love Grows Prize Pak Giveaway, you can do so at the end of my Botanical Conservatories post, over on the Heroes, Heroines and History blog where I'm posting about conservatories, orangeries, palm houses, etc with pictures of the past.

Or, if you'd rather not go there, you can enter right here.

Win an Austen in Austin Prize Pak

1/11/2016

I'm celebrating the release of Austen in Austin Volume 1 with a special prize pak containing:
- a Vintage-look post-it set
- a Vintage Vendome jewelry set (necklace and earrings)
- an IKEA Heart Bear
- and a paperback copy of Austen in Austin Volume 1

To enter, leave a comment on this post with a valid email address.

Deadline is Sunday midnight, January 24, 2016.

The winner will have 2 weeks from the day their name is announced to claim the Prize Pak.

Day 3 - Christmas Cheer Blog Hop

11/16/2013

Today I'm on Johnnie Alexander Donley's blog for Day 3 of the A CUP OF CHRISTMAS CHEER blog hop schedule where Johnnie is reviewing my story, Riding on a Christmas Wish, found in Volume 1 as shown on the right.

Each blog "hop" or stop will have a giveaway and I'll be giving away a Starbucks gift card to someone who comments on Johnnie's Day 3 Blog Hop post before Sunday midnight, Nov 24, 2013 and leaves a valid way of contact.

Starbucks Gift Card

At the end of all the Hops there will be a Grand Prize to someone who has visited and commented on every blog stop. A $70.00 porcelain tea set from Yorktown's Victory Center will be part of the Grand Prize along with other gifts such as a gift cards, special hot cocoa packets, the two-book set of "A Cup of Christmas Cheer" and more!

Reproduction Antique Tea Set - part of the Cup of Christmas Cheer Blog Hop Grand Prize

Here's the complete Blog Hop schedule:
Friday, November 8th, Carla Olson Gade is on Carrie Fancett Pagels' blog
Saturday, November 9th, Ashley Clark is on Anita Mae Draper's blog.
Saturday, November 16th, Anita Mae Draper is on Johnnie Alexander Donley's blog.
Sunday Nov 17th Julie Carobini on Ashley Clark's blog
Friday, November 22nd, Carrie Fancett Pagels is on Carla Olson Gade's blog.
Saturday, November 23rd, Johnnie Alexander Donley is on Julie Carobini's blog
Friday, November 29th, Colonial Quills Blog to announce Grand Prize winner.

A Cup of Christmas Cheer Blog Hop Day 2 - Ashley Clark's "THE CHRISTMAS THIEF"

11/8/2013

The Christmas Thief
by Ashley Clark
A CUP OF CHRISTMAS CHEER Volume 2
Tales of Joy and Wonder for the Holidays,
Guideposts Books, October 2013

My Review of Ashley's Book:

What makes a man so desperate that he tries to steal a centuries' old Bible on Christmas Eve?

Samuel Thompson stood outside his childhood church looking for a handout. Forty, homeless and hopeless, he's not sure if he's hit the bottom, or if there are worse days ahead. Of course, if people recognized him, that would be worse because then he'd see their pity, but he could live with it if their spare change allows him to buy a meal.

Within seconds of the church doors opening, Sam drops farther in his despair as he faces the truth - his downward spiral started when he turned his back on the love of one special woman. Instead of sharing a dream with Evelyn, he'd chosen a selfish life of material wealth ... and now she stood there, staring up at him with full recognition. With empathy, Evelyn looks deep in his eyes and tells him that he's lost his hope and must find it again. Although he'd rather have food in his belly than hope in his heart, he accepts her challenge to go into the church and find his hope once more.

But hunger and hope don't balance each other out to a person who has nothing left. And there before him in all its worn glory is a Bible worth enough money to buy him meals and shelter for a very long time. Maybe enough to help get his feet back on the ground.

This is a wonderful story of finding hope. It's also a juxtaposition of opposites. It's set in Old Charleston where horses and carriages stop behind cars on lamp lit roads of cobblestones. Where expected pity is met with empathy. And where hope is found in the midst of sin.

First, Ashley allows us to see how easy it is to choose Sam's path, and then she shows how exceedingly difficult it is to climb out and start again. Many people can't do it. Yet, the miracle of Jesus' birth at Christmas is a source of hope that can't be denied. When you think you've reached your blackest moment, God's light finds a way in, and that's what Ashley uses in this story to touch the center of Sam's heart and let him know that he did indeed hit the bottom and now he must make another choice - to stay in the hole or climb out again.

Have you ever felt so low that you thought there was no hope? What changed it?

Author Ashley Clark writes romantic comedy with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature and poetry courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.

If you'd like a chance to win this Christmas mug donated by Ashley Clark, leave a comment on this post and include a way of contacting you.

Prize eligibility - please comment within one week of this post. Comment on all stops for a chance at the grand prize.

Today is Day 2 the A CUP OF CHRISTMAS CHEER blog hop schedule. Each blog "hop" or stop will have a giveaway. And at the end of all the hops there will be a Grand Prize to someone who has visited and commented on every blog stop. A $70.00 porcelain tea set from Yorktown's Victory Center will be part of the Grand Prize along with other gifts such as a $10 Amazon card, special hot cocoa packets, the two-book set of "A Cup of Christmas Cheer" and more!

Here's the complete Blog Hop schedule:
Friday, November 8th, Carla Olson Gade is on Carrie Fancett Pagels' blog
Saturday, November 9th, Ashley Clark is on Anita Mae Draper's blog.
Saturday, November 16th, Anita Mae Draper is on Johnnie Alexander Donley's blog.
Sunday Nov 17th Julie Carobini on Ashley Clark's blog
Friday, November 22nd, Carrie Fancett Pagels is on Carla Olson Gade's blog.
Saturday, November 23rd, Johnnie Alexander Donley is on Julie Carobini's blog
Friday, November 29th, Colonial Quills Blog to announce Grand Prize winner.

The Grand Prize winner must have left a comment on each of the Blog Hop blogs.
A $70 porcelain tea set from Yorktown Victory Center, a $10 Amazon gift card, special cocoa packets and more will be given away.

Presenting the authors and their story titles in the two-volume set of A Cup of Christmas Cheer short stories:

Faith and Family Volume One:

THE CHEVALIER
by Susan Page Davis

SECOND-CHANCE CHRISTMAS
by Jenness Walker

NOT QUITE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
by Pam Hanson and Barbara Andrews

MRS. MEYER’S CHRISTMAS CALLER
by Jessica Keller

RIDING ON A CHRISTMAS WISH
by Anita Draper

UPON A CHRISTMAS TREE SCHOONER
by Carla Gade Olson

SNOWED IN
by Carrie Fancett Pagels

THE PRODIGAL
by Jennifer Johnson

Joy and Wonder Volume Two:

MEAT LOAF AND OTHER MINOR MIRACLES
by Liz Johnson

THE BEST DEAD CHRISTMAS TREE
by Linda S. Clare

BENEATH THE CHRISTMAS STAR
by Johnnie Alexander Donley

CALLING GRANDMA JEAN
by Pam Hanson and Barbara Andrews

THE CHRISTMAS THIEF
by Ashley Clark

POSTCARDS AT CHRISTMAS
by Julie Carobini

A STRANGER’S VISIT TO THE LIGHTHOUSE
by Marilyn Turk

THE SNOW GLOBE
by Ginger Kolbaba

I'm a Guest Blogger Today

11/28/2011

Today I'm guest blogging on Rose McCauley's blog. The decision on what to write about on someone else's blog took a lot of thinking, but in the end our prairie weather and the time I got punked by a porcupine in a blizzard stood out as something I felt would hold reader's interest.

My questions for discussion over on Rose's blog are:
Have you ever seen a sundog? Felt the cold bite of a -40C/F wind? Tasted a snowflake before it touched the ground?

Join us if you have a minute or two. All comments left before next Monday are eligible for my giveaway of a new copy of Lynette Eason's Love Inspired Suspense, Threat of Exposure.

And don't laugh too hard at the video. <grin>

Welcome Prize Giveaway

8/7/2011

To celebrate the creation of my new website and the re-organization of my blogs, I'm having a
Welcome Prize Giveaway.

Rules:
One comment with a valid email address
is eligible on each post.
Comment can be on any blogpost on this site between Aug 1st and midnight, Sep 30th, 2011.

For an extra entry, use the contact form to send me a note or tell me who you’d like featured on the Author Memories blog.

The Welcome Prize Giveaway includes:

- Knit Together, God's Pattern for Your Life by Debbie Macomber (Audiobook)

- The Lawman Claims His Bride by Renee Ryan (Love Inspired Historical)

- The Rancher's Reunion by Tina Radcliffe (Love Inspired)

- Angels for Christmas by Pamela Griffin, Tamela Hancock Murray, Sandra Petit and Gail Sattler. (Barbour anthology, hardcover)

- Christmas Miracles by Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson. (St. Martin's Press, hardcover, autographed by Marley Gibson, true stories)

- Western Wall Hangar

- 'Tweety' Door Hangar Notepad

- 'Canada' pendant pen

All items are new, including the books which haven't been read, but probably have fingerprints on them. :)