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Join me at the Lit Ladies blog for my online book party with prizes. Details on the flyer below or on The Lit Ladies blog here: (http://www.thelitladies.com)

Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem when the angels appear to announce the Savior’s birth. Can he trust that the miracle of the first Christmas will keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

Purchase your copy from:

Guardian Angel Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Indiebound.org

Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA2KStzoCPo

Cheryl’s Favorite Christmas Children’s Books

In case you didn’t realize it, I’m a big kid at Christmas. I honestly think I’m a bigger kid than my girls. I decorate almost every room in the house. I bake for the neighbors. I’m hoping to go Christmas caroling next month.  Oh, Christmas carols are an all year thing around this house. If it weren’t for the cats, I’m pretty sure I would leave the Christmas trees up all year round, too.

Seasonal books are another great way to get into the holiday spirit–not that mine is lacking, but it’s a good excuse to buy books. Here are some of my favorite Christmas children’s books.

When my son was a kid  (and that’s many years ago), he had to read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. It is the story of the Herdmans, who are not exactly the kind of kids you want yours emulating. They lie, cheat, and steal. There had never heard of Christmas before, but they end up getting involved in the Christmas pageant at church with some hilarious results.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss is a holiday staple. In the years it has been on TV, I’ve not missed it–the original animated version, not the movie version. If Dr. Seuss didn’t think readers needed to know the Grinch’s history of how he became so sour, then Ron Howard and his writers didn’t need to create one. I love the story of the green, miserly Grinch with the heart two sizes too small.

My son and I read this one together for years, then it was my girls’ turn. As a child, even more than A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, this book revealed to me there is evil in this world, or at least grumpy people who for one reason or another cut themselves off from the joy of Christmas. Perhaps that’s why the Grinch’s transformation is so thrilling to me. Just like Ebeneezer Scrooge, Christmas works its magic on the Grinch and he’s pulled into all the joy it can bring.

I sometimes wonder if Clement Clarke Moore had any idea that his poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” would entertain generations of families for centuries. More commonly know-at least around here–as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ this poem shares the story of a father who witnesses the jolly old elf visiting his house on Christmas Eve. It has been used to create magical story books featuring humans and animals alike as the characters of this story, in addition to several television movies.

One of my favorite written versions is the one Tiger Tales released in 2011 with Santa Mouse visiting the Mouse family, giving new meaning to “Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder has long been a favorite of mine. Most of the books have at least one Christmas featured in them–if not all of them.

The publishers pulled out the Christmas stories from the set and featured them in two large hardcovers.

From Christmas in the Big Woods of Wisconsin to the day Mr. Edwards delivered presents so that Santa didn’t have to cross the creek, to the chapters of Christmas on Plum Creek where Laura received red mittens, the white china box, and the fur cape and muff off the tree at church, each story is just as special as when you first read it in the Little House books.

The illustrations by Garth Williams have been colorized to make this book an extra special treat for Little House fans, and also includes the words and music to Merry, Merry Christmas! by Mrs. T.J. Cook.

While A Little House Christmas shares the Christmas stories of Laura’s early days, A Little House Christmas, Volume II travels east to Malone, New York to share the story of Christmas at the Wilder farm when Almanzo was a boy and the aunts and uncles and cousins were coming to dinner.  Then the book travels to the shores of Silver Lake, where Laura and her family are living in the surveyor’s house, and on to Christmas in De Smet, SD, where the blizzards seem like they will never end and the trains won’t run again until spring. And finally, we get to read the story of Almanzo’s surprise return visit on Christmas Eve in These Happy Golden Years.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the short return to my childhood. I hope you’ll share some of your Christmas favorites, too.

Cheryl Malandrinos is a children’s author and freelance editor. She is the author of Little Shepherd, released by Guardian Angel Publishing, and A Christmas Kindness, released by 4RV Publishing, under her pen name, C.C. Gevry. A digital version of A Christmas Kindness will be released in 2013.

Since 2007, Cheryl has been an online book publicist specializing in virtual book tours. She is a member of the SCBWI, a book reviewer, and blogger.

Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also has a son who is married. Visit her online at http://ccmalandrinos.com/ or http://ccgevry.com/.

Pump Up Your Book and Cheryl Malandrinos are giving you the chance to win a set of 2 Little Shepherd mugs.

Use the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to enter. Bloggers participating in this tour are eligible to enter and win.

Terms and Conditions:

• Giveaway runs from 12:00 AM EST on 11/4/13 and concludes at 12:00 AM EST on 11/30/2013.
• By entering you certify you are 18 years of age or older and reside in the United States or Canada.
• Winner will be notified by email on 12/2/2013 and have 72 hours to respond with mailing address.
• Prize will be shipped directly from the author to the winner via USPS.
• Blogs participating in this book tour are not responsible for items lost or damaged in shipment.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also visit the Little Shepherd tour page to enter at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2013/08/01/little-shepherd-virtual-book-tour-november-and-december-2011/

Little Shepherd Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Nov 4

Book spotlight at The Story of a Writer

Book review at Margo Dill’s Read These Books and Use Them!

Nov 5

Book review and interview at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews

Book trailer reveal at 4 the Love of Books

Nov 6

Guest post at I’m A Reader, Not A Writer

Nov 7

Guest post at This Little Book of Mine

Guest post and book review at Topsy Turvy Land

Nov 8

Interview at Between the Covers

Nov 11

Guest post at Marilyn’s Musings

Guest post at Authors and Appetizers

Nov 12

Book review at Janet Ann Collins On Words

Guest post at Bookingly Yours

Book review and giveaway at Mom Loves 2 Read

Nov 13

Book review at Maureen’s Musings

Nov 14

Guest post at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

Nov 15

Guest post at Paperback Writer

Book trailer reveal at Broken Teepee

Nov 18

Book review at Blooming with Books

Nov 19

Book review at Nancy Stewart Books

Radio interview at Stories from Unknown Authors at 1 PM.

Nov 20

Guest post at 4 the Love of Books

Book trailer reveal at Thoughts in Progress

Nov 21

Guest post at Literarily Speaking

Nov 22

Book review at Cheryl’s Book Nook

Nov 23

Book review at Freda’s Voice

Nov 26

Book trailer reveal at CelticLady’s Reviews

Nov 27

Book review at ASC Book Reviews (ASC Photos and Designs)

Guest post Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways

Nov 29

Book spotlight at Cheryl’s Book Nook

Book spotlight at Rose & Beps Blog

Book spotlight at Frugal Canadian Coupon Mom

Treason, betrayal, and heartbreak.

A lot can happen to a girl between her first kiss and her first kill.

It’s 100 years since the Genetic Integrity Act was passed and America closed its borders to prevent genetic contamination. Now only the enemy, dysgenic Deviants, remain beyond the heavily guarded border. The Department of Evolution carefully guides the creation of each generation and deviations from the divine plan are not permitted.

When 16-year-old Jess begins to show signs of deviance she enlists in the Special Forces, with her best friend Jay, in a desperate bid to evade detection by the Devotees. Jess is good with data, not so good with a knife. So when the handsome and secretive Sergeant Matt Anderson selects her for his Black Ops squad, Jess is determined to figure out why.

As her deviance continues to change her, Jess is forced to decide who to trust with her deadly secret. Jess needs to know what’s really out there, in the Deviant wasteland over the border, if she has any hope of making it to her 17th birthday. Because if the enemy doesn’t kill her first, the Department of Evolution probably will.

Title: External Forces
Author: Deborah Rix
Publisher: Dime Store Books
Pages: 268
Language: English
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Format: eBook

Purchase at AMAZON

Deborah Rix’s favourite position for reading a book is head almost hanging off the couch and feet up in the air with legs against the back of the couch. She’s been reading too much from Scientific American for research and ideas and needs to get back to some fiction. She has a long standing love of science fiction, some of her favourite authors include William Gibson, Philip K Dick, Kurt Vonnegut Jr, Douglas Adams, Iain M Banks. A bit old school.

Deborah enjoyed a successful career in entertainment publicity, live music promotion and event management. Which means she slogged through muddy fields for music festivals, was crammed into concert halls with too many sweaty teenage boys and got to go to Tuktoyaktuk (that’s in the Arctic Circle) for a Metallica concert. She lives with her family in Toronto, Canada, where she is the proprietor of The Lucky Penny, a neighborhood joint in Trinity-Bellwoods.

Visit her website at www.DeborahRix.com. 

ACCELERATE YOUR POWER GRAND PRIZE

GRAND PRIZE: Winner will have a minor character named after them in Acceleration, the second book in The Laws of Motion Trilogy by Deborah Rix. PLUS: 1 (One) WakaWaka Power – a solar powered charger and light, 1 (one) Limited Edition EXTERNAL FORCES Black Ops Beanie, and 1 (one) signed copy of External Forces.

The fine print: Grand Prize winner will have a minor character named after them in the forthcoming book, Acceleration. The winner can choose a name other their own as long as it is mutually agreeable with the Author, Deborah Rix. That means nothing obscene, stupid or ridiculous, as decided at the sole discretion of the author. Winner agrees that the gender, race, physical description, sexual orientation or any other characteristics of the character are at the sole discretion of the author. Winner agrees that the character may suffer some sort of gruesome downfall or may be a heroic figure in the story, it is at the sole discretion of the author what the role of the character will be and to what extent the character will be part of the story. The author assures the winner that it will be a real character in the story and part of a sub-plot or major plot.

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive the Accelerate Your Power Grand Prize.
• This giveaway begins November 4 and ends January 31.
• Winner will be contacted via email on Monday, February 3, 2013.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit the External Forces Tour Page at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2013/10/20/virtual-book-tour-pump-up-your-book-presents-external-forces-virtual-book-tour/

Editorial Reviews

Salisbury is a rising star in genre fiction. This book makes a unique and exciting contribution in the fantasy realm. The first of great things to come. –Jake Black, “The Authorized Ender Companion” “Smallville” “Ender’s Game: Recruiting Valentine”

Amazon Reviews

Conclusion:
A fantasy adventure that features lots of action and intrigue that is geared to a YA audience.
There are moments in this tale that are especially well done… story telling at a level that I’d be interested to see what this author would do with an adult orientated fantasy work.
As a dedicated YA work… 5 Stars.
~ Ray Nicholson

The beginning of a great adventure!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first book of the Trail of Bones series. It is an unpredictable adventure, with heartwrenching acts of love and friendship. The story ended before I was prepared to put my Kindle down, and now I will wait anxiously for the second book to be published. In the meantime, I think I’ll read it again with my eleven-year-old son; I’m sure he’ll love it as much as I do. Give it a read!
~ HRL

Enthralling story line that really pulls you in
…The characters were some that I will not easily forget because he explains their background in a way that makes the reader really connect and believe they are real. He creates a world that I long to see. I really grew to both love and hate different characters. I think that is a sign of a really great author when they can make us feel so much emotion towards a character.
~ Janason

Enter at a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can win .... 

'Sleeping Bear - Journey of the Cubs' 

PLUS! (Yes, there is more!)

It's that time of year again... CSN stores has approached me asking if I'd like to give my readers another $60 gift card to their online store. I said - why not!? The store is fabulous, selling things like swing sets, a cars themed art desk, and even Michael Kors bed set, with many items that include free shipping...

It's just too easy to enter. Simply visit the CSN stores website, find something you'd love to spend your $60 on and then leave a comment on my blog. Bonus entries for anyone who follows me on twitter, blogger or facebook (one extra entry per follow). You've already seen what I'd pick (links above), so get browsing! Good Luck. Draw is in one week, Wednesday, February 16 at 2pm.

Save & Close

Lately my son has been spending quite a bit of his time scribbling at his toddler friendly art easel with wax crayons and too-short-pencil-stubs (left overs from sketching sprees). Maybe that means he will one day become an artist, like his mother, or maybe that just means he likes spending time in my studio because I'm in there too. Either way, it keeps him busy just long enough for me to catch up on my emails.

One recent email had an intriguing offer for my blog... a giveaway - just for my readers! And the kicker - I got to pick the prize! I wondered, do I give away something useful and beautiful like a Dutch oven (oh the ridiculously elegant meals I could attempt to create in one of those), or maybe something that might inspire other young children to be creative while giving their parents some time to themselves, like the Creativity Desk and Easel? Eureka!

Entering is so easy, you could even attempt to allow your toddler to do it for you. Leave a comment on this blog post before Friday, August 20th at 1pm MST. I'll contact the winner that day and we'll set up how to get this fabulous prize to you, even the shipping is free (*I'm so sorry but international readers - that is people not living in Canada and the USA will have to pay for their own shipping).

A great big thank you to CSN stores for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway.

I am so happy to be a part of Tilbury House’s Elephant Tour! We have elephant facts, elephant book giveaways, photos, website links, and more. SO, here we go. . .

Carol Buckley and Tarra when Tarra lived at the tire shop

BOOK GIVEAWAYS!!!! BOOK GIVEAWAYS!!!!

*Two books will be given away from the comments on my blog on this post. I will draw two names from the comments. The first name I will draw gets to choose which book he or she wants either Travels with Tarra or Just for Elephants, both by Carol Buckley. The second name will get the second book. I will draw names on Friday, September 4 at 5:00 p.m. CST.

*But wait, there’s another chance to win a book! Tilbury House is also giving out prizes. They are drawing winners from all the comments on all the blogs that participate in the blog tour. Here are their prizes (they are able to ship in the U.S. and Canada):

1. Copy of Just for Elephants signed by Sanctuary co-founder Carol Buckley
2. Copy of Travels With Tarra signed by Carol and stamped by Tarra the Elephant
3. Package of Tilbury House animal books— The Goat Lady, Thanks to the Animals, and an advance copy of Bear-ly There

So, leave a comment below for a chance to win one of five prizes! Now onto the books. . .

Travels With Tarra is a book about Tarra the famous elephant, whom Carol Buckley purchased from a man who owned a tire shop when she was in college. Tarra has starred in movies, performed in circuses, and provided elephant rides. She loves dogs! This is a touching book with real photographs of Tarra, Carol, and their adventures. It also talks about how Carol started an Elephant Sanctuary for Tarra and other female elephants. A beautiful book for children and adults!

Just for Elephants is a book about Shirley the elephant who was a circus performer and then lived in a zoo. In this book, Shirley goes to the Elephant Sanctuary that Carol started for Tarra. The book shows how an elephant gets used to the sanctuary and other elephants in her new home. And Shirley sees an old elephant friend from her circus performing days. It’s quite touching!

Twitter Prize: From now through Sept. 9, anyone who tweets about the tour using the hashtag #trunktour will be entered to win a copy of Travels With Tarra or Just for Elephants. US/Canada only, two winners will be announced on Sept. 10th. **Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Margo_L_Dill

So, what do you do with these books?

In the back of the books, many resources for teachers are included. Here are three:

1. The Elephant Sanctuary website has downloadable curriculum materials and links at http://www.elephants.com

2. The Elephant Information Repository is an extensive directory of elephant websites, organizations, events, etc. http://elephant.elehost.com

3. The website of the world-leading expert on African elephant family structures, life cycle, and behavior http://www.elephanttrust.org/cynthia-moss.htm

Here’s some interesting facts about Tarra the elephant–care to comment on any of these?
*She is 8′2″ tall and weighs 8,700 pounds!

*Each day she eats: 130 lbs of hay and/or vegetation, 1 pound of hand-mixed whole grains (oats, barley, and wheat), 2 pounds of soaked wheat bran, 10-20 pounds of fruits & vegetables, and drinks approximately 30 gallons of water.

The blog tour continues with. . .

Friday, Sept. 4: Maw Books http://blog.mawbooks.com/
Saturday, Sept. 5: Shelf Elf http://shelfelf.wordpress.com/
Sunday, Sept. 6: Bees Knees http://beeskneesbooks.blogspot.com/
Monday, Sept. 7: Through The Looking Glass http://lookingglassreview.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, Sept. 8: Bri Meets Books www.brimeetsbooks.com

And finally. . .Tilbury House Promotion to Support The Elephant Sanctuary (8/1-12/31)

Tilbury House will hold their first-ever “Trunk Sale” promotion from August 1 through December 31. For every 100 elephant books that they sell, the independent publisher has pledged to sponsor a much-needed item from the Sanctuary’s wish list. These gifts will include 100 lbs of peanut butter (a favorite treat), a day’s worth of meals for one elephant (including more than 10 lbs of fruits & veggies and 100 lbs of hay!), and an elephant-sized piece of land (to support the Sanctuary’s recent
expansion).

So, buy these books if you don’t win them or buy a bunch and give them to your favorite school or as a Christmas gift!

It's been almost two years since I started my blog with an article about leaving my place of employment. This post marks my 200th article and to celebrate and thank the many readers who stop by and leave comments I'm giving away an entire set prints (by yours truly). There are five in the set and they measure 10 x 13". Switch them up as the years pass, give some away or frame them. They are all individually cello packaged and signed by yours truly.

Enter from anywhere in the world (I'll priority post if the winner is Canadian or will arrange meet/pick up if you live in Edmonton, Alberta to make it a Christmas Present). All you need to do is leave a comment in this post. I'll randomly draw a name from the comments listed on Wednesday, December 17th and then contact the winner for their mailing address.

If you are interested in purchasing a print you may do so in my etsy store. All prints are all currently 50% off ($10 each plus shipping for a limited time only).

I have two copies of my 2008 calendar to give away to two different blog visitors (plus a surprise gift!). Here's the rules: Post a comment on the following topic and I'll draw from the names of people who comment on or before January 31st for the prize. Then once I've contacted the winner you'll be sent the prize (please don't leave your address in the blog comment section but rather leave a website or blog address/email where I can get this from you privately)!

Here's the topic:

"Green Illustration & Design" (what are you doing to make your illustrations and office more environmentally friendly? Any links to good office crafts out or recycled goodies? And if you're not an illustrator or designer what are you doing to make your home more eco-friendly?)

Raleigh’s Page

Author: Alan Armstrong

Illustrator: Tim Jessell

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Raleigh’s Page is the riveting story of Andrew, a young boy sent to be a page to his father’s old friend Walter Raleigh. Yeah that Walter Raleigh - throw his pearl studded cloak on a puddle for Queen Elizabeth of England to walk on Walter Raleigh. Pretty cool, no? I was always fascinated by that story but didn't really know much about him other than the usual middle school page in a history book.

Andrew goes to live in Raleigh's estate along with two other boys who are already serving as pages to him. He is fascinated by all the newness but misses his family. One of the boys is cruel but the other is a good friend to him. Andrew, the farmer's son makes a great friend in the French gardener and becomes his apprentice. Together they learn of strange plants from other lands and prepare for the New World.

Raleigh himself is an interesting character in this book. I was fascinated by his excitement and verve. Walter Raleigh is a high energy, intelligent and purposeful man in this book. His way of teaching the children in his care is also fascinating. He plans secret trials that not only test the boy's writing, business acumen and other abilities but he tests the strength of their character. Interesting.

Andrew, being a solid farm boy with good values and a strong character shines in this story. He's a normal boy with hopes and dreams and fears, yet he consistently rises to any occasion, whether it be spying, carrying secret documents or venturing out to the New World. He meets the mysterious Dr. Dee, the Queen's own astrologer among other characters that populate this book.

Ah yes, Raleigh is planning a big trip to the colony of Virginia - the first expedition to Roanoke and Andrew is determined to go along. The story gets even more interesting once Raleigh's ship actually gets to Virginia. Alan Armstrong writes a great tale full of intrigue, adventure, compassion and understanding.

Raleigh's Page is one heck of a great read. The marvelous illustrations by Tim Jessell give depth to the story and a flavor for the time period in which it is set. One of my favorite illustrations is one of Walter Raleigh almost bursting with excitement.

Book Description from the publisher:
Andrew has grown up near the Plymouth docks hearing the sailors talk about America. Knowing that Andrew's heart is set on going to the new world, his father sends him up to London to serve as page in the house of Walter Raleigh. In Queen Elizabeth's court, Raleigh's the strongest voice in favor of fighting with Spain for a position in the New World, and everyone knows that it's just a matter of time before Her Majesty agrees to an expedition. Can Andrew prove himself fit to go on an expedition to the New World?

Meticulously researched and brilliantly crafted, combining fictional characters with historical, Andrew's tale offers up a vivid look at the cloak and dagger politics of the time and a genuine feel for what it must have been like for the first Europeans to set foot on the beautiful, bountiful, savage shores of America.

About the Author
Alan Armstrong's first book, Whittington, was awarded the Newbery Honor in 2006. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Martha, a painter.