Singing Hi yi yippee yi yay yay yay!

It's not even September the first and we have winners. From the contest, those that pre-ordered my book and sent receipts or proof of purchase are as follows.

1. Gus Chapa
2. Barbara Davis
3. Monica Silva
4. Maritza Cantu
5. Rhonda Gibson
6. Alma Chapa
7. Yvette Cantu
8. Sharon Canamore

Only two more needed to meet the required first 10. Isn't that great!!!! Would you believe that not one of those people are family? I just knew my family would bolt out the door, buy my book and be proudly showing that baby off. Especially my two loving, caring sisters. I believe they are step-sisters. Would anyone like to trade? Hardy, har, har.

And the beloved son...you know...the one I dedicated the book to? Does he have a copy, yet? I think NOT. So, he's not the favorite any more. Can you tell I'm having fun? Hee hee, I am. My dream has come true. I am published. Know what? I want to be published mucho tiempos, so move over Karen Kingsbury; I'm coming to sit beside you again!

Flying High, here.

WOW! I can't believe it. Three people ordered my book last night. I haven't even sent out a newsletter to my email contacts; just posted it to my blog and website. Isn't that wonderful. I began to read the stories last night and they're fantastic. No, I had never read the stories in their entirety, just snippets here and there to get a jist of what it was about. All I can say is GOOD JOB co-authors. So, if you're just reading this, look at the post below this one for contest requirements and let's give away some free books. Also, my co-authors are doing contests on their websites, too, so visit their sites and increase your chances of winning. I love it and thanks everyone.

Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe

My new book is here and I want to celebrate with you. I will put the book blurb below for you to read and I am opening a contest for those that love free things. The first part of the contest is for the first ten people that respond. The book arrives on shelves the 1st day of September but you can pre-order it at www.barbourbooks.com or www.christian books.com. If you pre-order it, or even buy it at Wal-mart and email me a copy of your receipt, I will give you my first book, Shelter in Seattle, free of charge if you send me your mailing address. This is my first attempt at contest, so bear with me. Always before if I hosted a contest, I just gave the winners name and address to the Author or Publisher and they took care of awarding prises. This time it's up to me, so I'd like to get it right.

Now the second part to the contest is a bit easier but your chances to win are a bit less than the above attempt. If you sign the guest book on my website, or leave a comment here on my blog, you will be entered into a drawing for a free Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe. And I will be choosing two winners. So there you have it.

I cannot begin to tell you how it felt to hold this book in my hand. What a blessing to be able to share my beliefs in a love story; a romance with clean and pure characters. I so hope you enjoy. May the Lord bless each one that reads Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe.

Here's the blurb on back of book. Enjoy.

Four young women, fresh out of college, pursue their careers at a new ski lodge at Lake Tahoe's Incline Village during the winter season.

Bethany Stillman's resolve to focus on her RN career falters when she meets paramedic Cole Beckman. Cole wonders how long it will be before Beth realizes he's to blame for crippling her grandfather. Can a Christmas miracle forge a path to love and forgiveness?

Social director Scarlett McKaye loves planning things down to the last detail. But what she didn't count on was having to spurn the bold advances of a reckless suitor. How far will daredevil Derrick Greene go to cancel Scarlett's reservations?

Stephanie St. John is determined to make a go of the time-share program at Snowbird Lodge. But Darrin Hart seems to be undermining her efforts, her confidence, and her reputation. Will misunderstanding be resolved, or will Stephanie succeed in business only to lose at love?

A wounded-at-the-heart Michaela Christianssen has chosen a male-free existence. But her friends and an eleven-year-old girl have other ideas. Widower Jonas Bradley is content with his life as father and forest ranger, until he finds himself pining for Michaela. What will it take to fell her oppositions to romance?

Counting Blessings.

I woke up in the middle of the night with something heavy on my mind. It brought me to my knees. You know, we sometimes think that baby Christians are the only ones that can fall, but what a misconception. We should stay prayed up and right with God. The scripture says we cannot tempt God because he cannot be tempted with evil. It says 'we' are tempted after 'we' are drawn away by our own lust, then lust when it is conceived causes us to sin and sin death. But it doesn't say we are automatically tempted all the time and all day; it says when we are drawn away. So, its simply best not to be drawn to anything that might cause us to sin. I like that very much. Having been a chicken most of my life, I now have permission to stay that way. I don't want to live my life for the Lord then have my testimony ruined by carelessness. What a waste, and what a shame. So today...I am counting my blessings and the many wondrous things that have dropped into my life because I serve the King. With fear, honor and love. Have a gander at one of my blessings.

The Bell Choir.

This is our bell choir from Cornerstone Baptist Church. I am so proud of them. Isaiah, the fellow in the front row is only five. We actually have 9 students but were on a skeleton crew that night of revival. Still, they did good.

I'm so proud, yet humbled.

Yesterday, we had our ladies Christmas party at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Mrs. Sheila Velez, wife of Pastor Roy Velez of Iglesia Bautista Colonia in Mission, Tx., was the guest speaker and she did a devotion on the words of Christmas. It was unique and quite wonderful. She choked up several times and it may have embarrassed her a bit, but it did our hearts good to hear such passion being expressed over words that we take for granted. Like Peace, Joy, Hope and Love. We had such good fellowship and I hope we never become a church where emotions are hidden or considered out of place. I praise the Lord for every tear, every hand raised in praise, and every trip someone takes to the altar.

Now you know if you're a regular reader of this blog, that ladies meetings are my "thing." I love them and see the meetings as a way for us to grow and prepare our younger ladies to lead their own classes and ladies meetings one day. So of course I must show off our photos for you. I hope you enjoy. And remember, BUY MY BOOK. www.thewildrosepress.com, then click on the left side, "Inspirational," and Shelter in Seattle is the 6th or 7th one down. Thanks and I'm done plugging; at least till next post.

Love you guys, Merry Christmas.

BUY MY BOOK, pretty please.

Here's where you can purchase a copy of Shelter in Seattle. I am posting a link to a review site that said fantastic things about Rhonda and my book. Then I will post a link to two places you can buy Shelter. http://manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=2199.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com. Once the web site appears, look on the left side and click on Inspirational. Our book is about the 6th one down.