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Day: December 5, 2012

  • Interview with Author Jason D Morrow: The Marenon Chronicles {2012 Holiday Gift Guide}

    Interview with Author Jason D Morrow: The Marenon Chronicles {2012 Holiday Gift Guide}

    The Marenon Chronicles by Jason D Morrow, have got to be the best self published books I’ve ever read!  I have had the immense pleasure this past year to read and review each book in the trilogy as they’ve come out. You can read those reviews at the following links

    When I started thinking of Christmas and a good gift for those teens I know, I didn’t have to think very hard. The Marenon Chronicles are a perfect fantasy novel, one I would easily compare to Lord of the Rings in storyline, to give to a book loving teen.  I asked Jason if he wouldn’t mind answering some questions so we could get to know him a little better – he of course was willing. With that, here is Jason!


    What is your favorite book?
    My favorite book is the Hobbit, so you can imagine my excitement about the new movie coming out this month.
    Who is your favorite author?
    Ted Dekker is one of the best writers out there today. His action keeps the story flowing and his plot always keeps you guessing. I try to pick up one of his books any chance I get.
    If your books were made into a movie, who would you cast?
    That’s a good question. Often times when I write, I sort of have blank faces to the characters, and when I re-read them in editing, my mind fills in the gaps. For the character of Kaden Osric, there is no doubt in my mind that I would cast Liam Neeson if I had the choice. The characters Dink and Emma were written with myself and my wife in mind. I figured that if it ever did become a movie some day, we could try to contract ourselves in for those minor roles.  
    What are your favorite holiday traditions?
    At Christmas time, my mom makes these delicious sausage balls. We can all be gathered together at spending time with each other, but it’s just not the holidays unless those sausage balls are fresh out of the oven. 
    Connect with Jason
    Buy Them
    plus right now you can get Book 1 The Deliverer on Kindle for Free!

    WIN IT
    Jason is giving away Book 1: The Deliverer in my 2012 Holiday Gift Giveaway. Enter HERE
  • Flirty Aprons Flash Sale {50% OFF}

    Flirty Aprons Flash Sale {50% OFF}

    Just in this morning, Flirty Aprons is having a Flash Sale! 

    Use Coupon Code
    holiday50
    This code is only good today (12/5), and only while supplies last!
    Flirty Aprons would make a great gift for the cook in your life, or just add a little style to your own kitchen attire.
    Looking for a different apron, not holiday themed? Through the end of the year you can get 15% Off any purchase.
    Use code 
    www.FlirtyAprons.com
  • Keepsake Krochet {2012 Holiday Gift Guide}

    Keepsake Krochet {2012 Holiday Gift Guide}

    I love finding hand made gifts to give family.  I wish I could be the one making them, but there are some talents I lack.  I mean, we can’t all do everything; what a boring world it would be if we could.
    So whenever I can I like to support crafters in their talent.

    I’ve tried crocheting, and I just can’t do it. Maybe one day I’ll find someone patient enough to teach me, but until then I enjoy browsing the amazing creations from people like Maggie Knorr of Keepsake Krochet.  She has some beautiful afghans, totes and jewelry – all crocheted.  I’m going to turn it over to Maggie now to tell you a little more about herself.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    My name is Maggie Knorr and I’ve been crocheting for about five years, but I’ve been familiar with it for most of my life.  My grandmother was constantly crocheting things and frequently it was things for me.  She made me three dresses as I grew up and also an afghan that I didn’t receive until I went to college.  She kept it in her cedar chest and let me look at it occasionally.  She did teach me the basics of crochet, but never how to read a pattern, so crocheting long pieces of something got kind of boring.  I never really showed any more interest.  Then, in 2005 I came across the prayer shawl ministry online and thought it was neat.  I decided to try to make a shawl.  I was following a pattern, but my one edge kept growing.  I went over to my grandmother’s to find out what I was doing wrong.  She told me I was picking up stitches.  I asked how to fix it, and she said, “Count.”  Well, a row was 109 stitches long and I wasn’t going to count that every row, so I put it aside again.  
    Four years later I came across something called Tunisian Crochet, and this is where you use a long crochet hook to cast on and cast off stitches to make a row — kind of like a mix of knitting and crochet.  I figured if all the stitches were on the hook it would be easier to count, so I gave it a try and picked it up just like that.  After about a year of making things in Tunisian Crochet I got brave enough to try traditional crochet again.  By this time my grandmother had passed away, so I went to a yarn shop and the lady helped me learn to read a pattern and I have just run with it since then.  I enjoy making throws and shawls because they don’t take a long time to make and it’s like giving someone a hug that they can use any time they want to.  Crocheting has become an important part of my life.  I feel I help enrich other’s lives by providing lovingly made quality items and gives me a connection to my grandmother even though she’s no longer with me.
     
    I also enjoy reading, writing, journaling, cross stitching and letterboxing.  I’m extremely proud of my son who is pursuing his black belt in karate and my hubby who is a staff sergeant in the WV National Guard.
    I could see many teen girls and moms wearing these beaded chokers. They would make a great stocking stuffer.  Plus they’re affordable for a hand crafted item.
    Beaded Choker, metal clasp
    Connect with Maggie on Facebook
    Win It!
    Enter to win our choice of tote from the 2012 Holiday Gift Giveaway
  • For What It’s Worth {Book Blast – $50 Amazon giveaway}

    For What It’s Worth {Book Blast – $50 Amazon giveaway}

    For What It’s Worth by Karey White

    Twenty-four year-old, Abby Benson has dreams of owning her own wedding cake shop. An inheritance from her aunt gives her the ability to make those dreams come true. She hires Dane, a handsome contractor, to help her get the bakery up and running and soon they’re moving toward their own happy ending.

    Unsure what to charge for her cakes, Abby has a crazy idea to let the customer decide what they think their cake is worth. This plan has its ups and downs, but the novelty of the idea makes her a local celebrity. When she is interviewed on television about the unusual idea, business booms and Abby has cake adventures she never dreamed possible. But as her fame grows, Abby is swept up in a whirlwind that threatens everything she values. With the challenges that face her, will she be able to determine what is worth the most?

    Praise for For What It’s Worth

    Reading Karey White’s books, like eating chocolate cake, is always satisfying and brings a smile to my face. For What It’s Worth is light, romantic, and delicious. It’s a great pleasure read. Sit down and get lost in the charming world of wedding cakes and love. As an added bonus, each chapter  starts with a recipe, so it’s a novel and cookbook all in one. A fun read!
    —Teri Harman, KSL columnist, Studio 5 contributor, and author of Blood Moon, available June 22, 2013

    I just loved the book – loved it. Hated putting it down and hated finishing it. Karey White is my new Maeve Binchy, her writing as warm as the bakery her novel is set in. For What It’s Worth surprised me, made me smile, say “no” out loud in a public place. I love when a character feels like my sister. I didn’t want to finish it, so now I may try the recipes that began every chapter.
    —Amanda Dickson, author and radio personality

    This book oozes charm, romance, and mouth-watering recipes. If you want to escape reality and curl up with a darling story, For What It’s Worth is the perfect fit. Thank you, Karey White!
    —Rachael Anderson, author

    This is a book worth every penny of the price. In the business of baking wedding cakes, every detail must be perfection, but this story remembers that real life is oh-so-messy. White’s clear and honest writing left me hungry for good food, a close family, and a little romance. A beautiful marriage of food, family, and faith.
    —Regina Sirois, author of On Little Wings, 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

    Purchase

    ~Book Trailer~

    Author Karey White

    Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

    She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.

    Links
    Blog Tour December 2012
    Tour Schedule
    Book Blast Giveaway Details
    $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash from Author Karey White
    Ends 12/14/12
    *You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Karey and leave the others blank.

    Open to anyone 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’s permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.