Presents, Presents Everywhere!

I sincerely apologize for the delay in announcing last week's winners. Life has taken over, and things have been busy, busy, busy this past week!

The winners of Marybeth Whalen's novel, She Makes it Look Easy are...
Carly and Anita!!! Thank you, ladies, for posting a comment. Carly, please email your address to amoralescmc@yahoo.com. Anita, I already have yours... ;)

I pray this brief post finds you all in great health and enjoying your holiday season!

Tomorrow, join me for guest blogger, Gayla Grace. Gayla writes about step-family dynamics and is sharing on how to deliver grace during the holiday season.

I'll also be posting on Friday this week. I'm really excited to share something God showed me this morning during my quiet reading time with Him.

I will not be posting next week. Instead, I'll be enjoying my family. My husband flies in Friday, and he'll be home for the holidays. I'll resume posting shortly after New Year's Day. Thank you for following my blog this past year, and I look forward to sharing life with you more in 2012.

Presents, Presents Everywhere!

The countdown has begun! My children are pulling Hershey Kisses from behind perforated doors on their first Advent calendar! Today we opened door #17. (We're counting backwards.)

Which leaves only two more giveaways! 

This week's winner is Allison Martin, also known as The Budget Maven. Congratulations, Allison! If you could email me your address, I'll get that information right over to Baker Publishing so they can send you My Favorite Bible.

This week, I'm giving away not one, but two prizes! Two winners will receive a copy of Marybeth Whalen's second novel, She Makes it Look Easy. 

While reading Marybeth's blog post today, I was reminded of the theme of this book. How often do we wish we had it as good as the woman next door? Yet, if we step back and look deeper, we might realize that she has her own issues she's dealing with, just like we do. Her yard may be perfect, but her marriage might be a mess. Her house may be large enough to hold two of your family, but her wallet might be small, and she might be swimming in a pool of debt, about to lose that home. Her kids may be well-dressed and proper, but their hearts might bear scars from the turmoil that exists behind the closed doors of their home. 

In She Makes it Look Easy, Ariel Baxter moves into her dream house in her dream neighborhood. Ariel becomes disappointed when she realizes that the loneliness and chaos of motherhood and domestic life aren't solved by her new residence. Until she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine appears to have it all. Order in her home. The ability to bake amazing cupcakes for her kids' birthdays. An incredible husband. But does she? Or is she carrying around secrets under that facade of perfection?

It's a great read, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did. To win your copy, simply leave a comment. Two winners will be chosen by Hershey Kiss-covered hands next Thursday!  

Presents, Presents Everywhere!

We have a new winner! And, another winner! Surprise! I received an autographed copy of A Pheromone Affair while visiting my parents at Thanksgiving, so I am also giving away the copy I'd purchased when we found out the book had been released. 

The first autographed copy goes to (drum roll, please)...VONDA SKELTON! Woo Hoo!
The second, non-autographed copy goes to...Don!

Please email your address to amoralescmc@yahoo.com and I'll get those out to you this weekend. Thanks for entering!

For this week's giveaway, Baker Publishing Company has blessed me with the opportunity to offer My Favorite Bible by Rondi DeBoer and Christine Tangvald. 

With the vibrant illustrations and engaging text in this Bible storybook, you can enjoy sharing the best-loved stories of the Bible with the children in your life and encourage a life-long love for the Word of God. My Favorite Bible is a book of exciting Bible stories and activity pages that guide children through the foundational truths of Scripture.

Each story is fully illustrated and includes a simple narrative full of things kids love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, and discussion questions to help adults introduce children to the Bible.

The colorful illustrations will capture the imaginations of children ages 4–8, and the stories will help adults to pass along the most important truth in life—the Gospel. Families will cherish this time as they read, listen, learn, and love, growing closer to one another even as they grow closer to God.

By clicking on the book cover or title, you can get to amazon, where there's a place for you to see inside the book. This isn't a Bible, but a wonderful book of Bible stories. Each selection includes activities, discussion, and a find-the-butterfly search for you to do with your children. It also includes praying together, which is so important in building our childrens' faith.

For an opportunity to win this wonderful book, please leave a comment on this post. I'll choose the winner next Wednesday evening and announce it on Thursday morning. Baker Publishing is sending this book out to my winner after December 15th. 

God bless you every one!

Presents, Presents Everywhere!

I apologize for posting this late. I've been busy, busy, busy this week!

Our first Christmas giveaway winner is...Glenda Parker!!! Glenda, please contact me with your address. My email is: amoralescmc@yahoo.com. Congratulations! I'll get that in the mail to you right after the Thanksgiving holiday.

My second gift to one lucky reader is...

An autographed copy of A Pheromone Affair. This book is near and dear to my heart for two reasons. One, my dad wrote it. Two, he hired me to edit it.

Audrey Leclaire is on vacation in Israel when her trip is interrupted by a telegram from her grandfather.

While Audrey's grandfather breathes his last breath, disclosing a family secret that's been kept for his lifetime, George Gorman is diligently working on a pheromone which he intends to use to answer the Jewish Question.

Audrey must head back to Israel on a mission to resolve her grandfather's honor. Will she be able to stop a madman and save a nation before the pheromone is released or those who want her dead succeed?

If you would love to check out this exciting read, please leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing what you think of it!!!

Just a Reminder...

I just wanted to post a brief reminder. Every Thursday between now and Christmas, there will be an opportunity to win a free gift here on my blog. It's my way of saying "Thank You" to my readers and offering a blessing in return.

All you need to do is comment on the Thursday blog post for a chance to win each week. I will select the winner each Wednesday night and post the result Thursday morning with the new opportunity to win. You can comment up until 7:00 PM EST each Wednesday.

I look forward to blessing you! Thank you for your continued readership. I love sharing with you as God speaks to me.

Presents, Presents, Everywhere!

Welcome to the first giveaway of the season! Up for you today is one of my favorite summer beach reads. (Although, I read it at home. And in the car.)

Here's the book trailer:

 

Lindsey Adams started visiting the mailbox as a teenager. Ever since, she's poured her heart out in letters each year, documenting the good times and the bad. This year, she's returned to Sunset Beach, North Carolina for the first time since her husband left her and her two kids, Anna and Jake.

As she struggles in her sorrow, memories of her first love, Campbell Forrester, arrive. With them come the heartache of rejection, again. Twice rejected by men she loved, Lindsey must decide if she can trust in love again or will avoid it altogether in order to protect herself from the possibility of being rejected a third time. Campbell reappears, making the decision even harder when he takes interest in her again.

If you think you'd like to read about Lindsey's journey to The Mailbox, please leave your comment below. I'd love to hear about a time when God gave you a second chance! Share your story for your chance to win.

Christmas is Coming! It's Present Time!

Are you aware that there are only 46 more days until Christmas???

Photo Copyright 2007 Alycia W. Morales

Since it's getting so close, I thought I'd bless my readers with an opportunity to receive a gift each week until the holiday arrives!

So, starting this week, watch for posts offering these opportunities. What's in store? How about a few of my favorite novels? I have four in stock right now! I also have some handmade crook-style and paperclip-style bookmarks. How about some handmade jewelry? Earrings, anyone? (Please be aware they are for pierced ears.) Maybe a necklace? Bracelet?

In order to enter to win, you simply need to leave a comment on the blog post. Please do not leave comments via Networked blogs, on Facebook, or in my email inbox. If you're having trouble logging in, and it won't work after following the steps below, by all means send me an email or Facebook message. But, please try the following steps first:

1. Follow this link: www.amoralesthinks.blogspot.com
2. Click on the comments link under the post. (1 comment)
3. It may ask you to sign in. Usually, you can sign in via: 
    a) Google (if you have a Blogspot blog yourself, or if you have a g-mail or Google + account) 
    b) your Open ID (Wordpress, AIM, etc.)
    c) your name and URL (usually an email address or your website) 
    d) as "anonymous" (just remember to leave your name and a place I can contact you, 
        such as your email or facebook ID)
4. Leave your comment.
5. Fill in the box with the word verification.
6. Click Publish Your Comment.


Following these steps will enter you to win one of these fantastic presents! Keep it for yourself or gift it to a friend or family member. Most importantly, though, don't forget to pause during your crazy hectic holiday season to remember the true reason we celebrate this season. Say a thank You to God for sending His gift, our Savior, Jesus Christ.