Giveaway, Giving Back, and FESTS!!!

The Father Christmas Confessions Giveaway is starting right here and right now!!!

Emily Ann Benedict is giving away one kindle copy of The Father Christmas Confessions this week, and all you have to do is write a comment below to enter! I'll be putting your names into a hat, literally, and then having one of my kids pick one out - I know this isn't tech-savvy, but it works. The drawing will take place late Tuesday night and the winner will be announced Wednesday morning (Pacific time).

So, first, who is Emily? She's a really sweet blog buddy of mine who I've known since the beginning of my blog days when I had no idea what I was doing. I used to lurk around her blog to see how a blog really worked. She gave me one of my first awards, and she's a fantastic writer. In addition to The Father Christmas Confessions, she's also the author of Only Angels Are Bulletproof, a sweet romantic mystery.

I asked Emily how The Father Christmas Confessions started, and this is her answer:

"My family has a very serious tradition every Christmas. We simply try to watch as many Christmas movies as we possibly can. Whether it is a big Hollywood hit or a simple TV movie, we’ll watch it just so long as it is about Christmas. I guess one year I must have overdosed, because I starting thinking about how I would write a Christmas story. Well, with a head full of Christmas history and Hallmark Channel amusement, I started with the idea of re-writing the Santa Claus legend and it all went downhill from there."

 

Official blurb for The Father Christmas Confessions:

 What if Santa Claus isn’t one man? What if he is a secret organization?

Jeremy Ogden has 25 days to accomplish his mission and a list of people whose lives can be changed forever if he makes it to them in time. He just has one big problem…And her name is Virginia.

Virginia Kipyard is the last girl Jeremy wants holding his family’s ancient secret, no matter how many times his mother suggests she’s “the right girl.” But if he wants to save the life of the next man on his list, he might just need her help.

The “season of miracles” is about to take on a whole new meaning, even for Father Christmas.

If you don't win a copy, I highly recommending purchasing one for .99 at Amazon.

GIVING BACK

Julie Luek has invited all of her blog-friends to give their love for books to First Book, and has created this cute button:

First Book donates books to children, contributing to the efforts of literacy everywhere. What better way for writers to give back than donating books and nurturing the love of reading in children?

And now onto the LONG LIST OF FESTS

Trisha at Word + Stuff is celebrating her blogiversary with Baby Faces Blogfest on December 2-3!

 

Lynda R. Young at W.I.P. It is celebrating the publication of her short story, Birthright, with the Make Believe Launch Party on December 3rd. (two celebrations in one day, no problem, right?) She's also starting her book blog tour that day!

 

 



 Mark Koopman, Morgan Shamy, Stephen Tremp, and David Powers King have teamed up for the Cheers, Cavanaugh Fest.

     In Mark's words:
Ever attended a Christmas party where you bump into the person who was always there for you during the last year. You’d thank them for being such a RockStar, right?

If there’s one person in the Blogisfear who you want to say cheers to, who would it be?

For us, it was a no-brainer: Alex “no hyperlink needed” Cavanaugh.

Alex is an awesome blogger who’s helped hundreds of us via book releases, guest posts, guest interviews and always positive comments. While we can’t have a live part-ay for the Ninja Captain, we can host a BlogFest.

In +/- 20 words, what does Alex look like?

In +/- 20 words, who could play Alex in a documentary? (Living or dead.)

In +/- 20 words, who does Alex remind you of?

In +/- 100 words, (excluding the title) write flash fiction using all these prompts:

Cavanaugh
Ninja
IWSG
Cosbolt
Guitar

For Bonus Points:
In +/- 40 words, leave a comment for Mrs. Cavanaugh - thanking her for sharing J

Rules:
Join the Linky List
Be a follower.
Post your 200 (total) word contribution Monday, Dec. 10.
Have Fun!

Two winners – chosen by Alex – will each win one prize:

FIRST PLACE: A signed copy of CassaStar. (Or CassaFire)

GRAND PRIZE*: A picture of Alex and a download of him playing the guitar. (There might be another prize… all depends!)
This fest runs December 10-12th!

Plus, Don't Forget Hobbit Fest!
I'm teaming up with M. Pax for this fun fest on December 14th! Check out the tab on the upper right for more info!

 

What is your favorite hobbit characteristic/or the one that you think closely resembles you . . .?
If you could choose between a scrumptious second breakfast and a perilous unexpected journey – which would you prefer?

Have you ever left behind something on a journey (expected or unexpected) and wished you could have it over and over again? (a pocket handkerchief?)
What is your Favorite part or quote from the book that you hope will be in the movie?

 And Steampunk Author Jack Lewis Baillot's Book Blog Party starts December 17th!

 

Have you signed up for these fests and celebrations? Planning to give back in some way this December? and are you ready to win a copy of The Father Christmas Confessions? Be sure to comment below!

And again, many thanks to those who prayed for my Dad last week . . .he's out of the hospital and getting good rest at home.