Three Things & Contest Winners!

1. Announcing

...winners for the last two giveaways here at Woman of Faith!  (Finally!) The first giveaway winner receives
the book English Country House Murders, and the CD, "Voices of the Faithful," from Beth Moore Presents.

And the winner is....MARY PRESTON. Congratulations, Mary! I'll need your mailing address to send your prizes so please email me at Linore(at)LinoreBurkard(dot)com.

The 2nd giveaway was for a free copy of Pearls from the Sea, by MaryLu Tyndall and Debbie Mitchell.
And the winner is....VICKIE MARNEY. Congratulations, Vickie! Your ebook will be automatically mailed to you by one of the authors.

Hope you both enjoy your prizes. :)

2. UPDATE to "If Sickness Doesn't Kill You, Modern Medicine Will."

Last week I wrote about having gone for a CT Scan at my doctor's request, which he felt was necessary because I have high cholesterol. I mentioned that high cholesterol, according to the latest science, has absolutely NO causative relation to heart disease, especially in women. I went for the scan, received a chest full of radiation (yuck!) and said I'd get back to you with the results. I felt that maybe the toxicity of the test would be worth it if I found out something useful.

So--the results came back (the very next day): I have a score of ZERO cardiac calcium. "You have NO heart disease," the nurse told me during the call. So I underwent getting all that radiation to find out it wasn't necessary. I am trying to console myself with the fact that it was good news--even though the test WASN'T necessary--it is far better to find out that I have no diseased cardiac arteries, than to feel it was worthwhile getting it because I do. 

Bottom line: Don't be eager to undergo tests that aren't necessary, especially if they entail radiation exposure. If I could turn back the clock, I'd ask, instead, for a test that measures arterial blockage in the neck, and that is far less toxic, if at all. I'm not sure why my doctor didn't suggest this test to begin with, and I will ask him that at my next opportunity. 

3. The Sale Continues! (But for how much longer?)

 

It's odd to be an author and not know when your books go on sale but it happens. Recently I was on Amazon and discovered accidentally that my books (the Kindle editions) were on a deeply discounted sale! Apparently, ( a reader told me) that the Nook editions are also at these bargain prices.

Before the Season Ends   Only $1.99                                    

The House in Grosvenor Square  Only $2.51

The Country House Courtship  Only $3.03

I love sales because it means more readers take a chance on me; some of my dearest friends are women who read my books and contacted me! Of course I enjoy getting more readers anyway, but a great deal on my books is something I'm happy to tell others about. I love a deal myself, so I can totally identify with you on that.  

The Regency Books on Sale on Nook

Stay tuned for an announcement of the new drawing--June is the month for weddings and romance, so I have something beautifully fun and romantic to give away! All commenters this month are automatically entered in the drawing, so even if you comment today, it counts.  I'll have a picture of the June giveaway by tomorrow.
Hugs and Blessings,
Linore

Devo Monday--Words Are Wonderful Things

I saw the following little poem in my email one day and saved it. I don't remember who sent it to me.  (Thank you, whoever you are!) I'm big on saving things; snippets of poems, quotations, web links, book titles, and so on. Now and then--miracles never cease--I even go back and look at what I've saved.

I'm glad I found this, again. 

It's a reminder we all tend to need from time to time, and written in sweet old-fashioned language. I found the full text of a book this poem appeared in, Morning Exercises For All the Year, (A Book for Teachers) from the Cornell University Archive Library on-line. It was sobering to see what was included in this book for public school teachers, which is so often absent, now: Morality! Biblical principles! Goodness and Righteousness! 

With election day looming before us, it reminds me how far our country has fallen. (Anyone else wish for the days when prayer was allowed in school? When teachers could openly share their Christian principles?)

Well--back to the poem I want to share:

Words Are Wonderful Things

Keep a watch on your words, my darling,  

For words are wonderful things;

They are sweet like the bee's fresh honey,
Like the bees they have terrible stings;

They can bless like the warm, glad sunshine,
And brighten a lonely life;

They can cut, in the strife of anger,
Like an open, two-edged knife.

Mrs. E. R. Miller

  Scripture reinforces the idea of the poem:

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

(Proverbs 12:18)

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

(Proverbs 10:19) 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

(Ephesians 4:9)

Did you find this little reminder useful? May we all keep our talk wholesome and helpful! 

Warmest Blessings,

Linore

PS: CONTEST STILL GOING ON for a prize of 5 Books! See the details here. Entering is EASY!

Time For A Good Book. Enter my contest and you could win five of them!

LAST DAY to enter-- Plus New Contest!

Books, Books, Books

The winner of the "Just Ten Things Giveaway II" will be chosen after midnight, tonight. Have you left a comment to be entered in the drawing? It's not too late!

Once this contest closes, it's time for a new one! I'm stepping it up a little by giving away not one, but five great books by popular Christian authors this week. Two of the books are hardcovers with dustjackets. One is a brand new release. All are by authors you'll love (especially, ahem, the author of that last title. You'll love her the most. I know it.) 

You'll have until  Thursday, November 8th, to enter so the winner can be announced on Friday's blog.  

This Week's Woman of Faith Contest Winner (Sorry, US only) will get: 

1. Flight of Fancy- Laurie Alice Eakes
2. The Red Siren--MaryLu Tyndall
3. A Simple Winter (Hardcover with dustjacket)--Rosalind Lauer
4. The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter--Teresa Slack
5. The House in Grosvenor Square (Hardcover with dustjacket)--Linore Burkard  Autographed by moi, of course. 

My iPad camera is on the blink so I couldn't post photos of the books--hopefully I'll be able to do that before the contest closes. I've given links to the Amazon page for these books so you can see what they look like. Just click on the title you want to see, above, if you're interested.

The Contest

I like the focus we've had on counting our blessings; on thankfulness. With Thanksgiving coming up next month, I'd like to keep things focused on the blessings in our lives: family, friends, freedom of worship-- food!
There we have four categories, one of which we'll highlight each week for the next four weeks.

How to Enter

Help me get to know you a little better. 
Leave a comment here at the blog telling me you've entered the giveaway.  

But to enter, click to my facebook Author page and share a photo that shows the blessing of family. Not just any family, but YOUR family!  You could leave a cheery full-family photo, a snapshot of your family doing something it loves, or just a special picture of one member of the bunch, and why this photo is special. That's it! 

When  you leave your comment to tell me you've entered, please leave an email address where I can notify you if you win. I'll also announce the winner on this blog, so be sure to check the posts.Leave your email like this: Linore (at) LinoreBurkard (dot) com.

I'm kicking things off with a few pics of my family, drawn from some I have handy on my pc. (No need to jump through hoops, here!) If you have any Autumn-themed photos, all the better, but not necessary. And, even though I'm sharing a few, you need only submit ONE.
 

                            

 This Week's Theme:  FAMILY
Here are a few photos of mine: 

 

As you can see, my focus for Easter that year wasn't on the beauty of the "baskets."  Family is what makes any holiday special, not the accoutrements--though they can be important traditions. Some years, I have had pretty baskets for everyone, but others, if I've been strapped for time I'll  use ANYTHING that works! You can see by the smiles that kids don't really care how fancy the package is: They just love getting whatever's inside it! 

 My three oldest: We all went to visit my daughter at Grace College, in Indiana, one fall. (No, that upside-down guy is not one of the family!)  

O, happy day! My oldest daughter had said (during the pregnancy), "I think our family is big enough. We don't need another baby." I said, "As soon as you see her, you'll fall in love." She was skeptical. After the birth? "Oh, mom, she's soooooo precious! You're right. I love her."  

Two of my guys (I needed to get my hubby on the page) NEXT MONTH we're getting a family portrait done in time for Christmas cards. I look forward to having one of ALL of us. 

 Here's my crew again in Michigan visiting Aunt Alice (on the left.)

Now it's your turn.

Go to my facebook page and upload a photo to the wall, of YOUR family. 

I'll choose a winner on November 8th .

Again, here's the list of books in the "Basket" you can win:

(One winner takes all!)

1. Flight of Fancy- Laurie Alice Eakes
2. The Red Siren--MaryLu Tyndall
3. A Simple Winter (Hardcover with dustjacket!)--Rosalind Lauer
4. The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter--Teresa Slack
5. The House in Grosvenor Square (Hardcover with dustjacket!)--Linore Burkard  Autographed by moi, of course. 

Enter today. I can't wait to "meet" you!

                                       And Now: A word from our sponsor--(Just kidding!)

Speaking of Autumn, in case you're new here, be sure not to miss my FREE pdf: Autumn Print-Outs

This free resource has printable gift-tags, bookmarks, post-it notes, note holders and stationery, and clip-art graphics.

Get your copy HERE. It's free, and all you need is a pair of scissors and some thick paper or card-stock and glue to make some special things.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway of Journey's Edge

by Dora Hiers

" An outstanding debut novel. Well-written, and packed with ample emotion, suspense, and entertainment. In Journey's End, [Hiers] has without doubt begun a promising journey of her own. I anticipate the next offering from this talented writer."
Delia Latham


Welcome to Fiction Friday here at Woman of Faith, where you can win a copy of debut author Dora Hiers's Journey's Edge!

(Dora has graciously offered to award one reader with a free book. Leave a comment after the post with contact info for a chance to win this exciting new story!)

Dora says the faith element in her novel comes from the following verse:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor 5:17(NIV)

The cover of the book looks like this journey will have readers on the edge of their seats! According to the back cover description, it just might:

A Routine Audit? Hardly.

Red flags—including some goon who's following her—raise McKinley Frasier's suspicions that numbers don't add up at the insurance firm. When someone tries to snatch McKinley's daughter from school, she turns to police officer and ex-fiance, Renner Crossman—the cop who walked out on her a month before their wedding. But Renner's not the same guy who broke her heart ten years ago. He calls himself a "new man." She trusts the new Renner with her daughter's safety...but what about her heart?

Now, thanks to Dora, we can view the story from the hero's eyes, Renner Crossman, himself:

"Hey. Renner here. The new and improved version, not the old Renner, the jerk who seduced women, then dumped them. Walls painted white by God’s grace, I’m determined to set things right with people I’ve wronged in my life. Beginning with Kinny.

Beautiful, wholesome, pristine Kinny. Like springtime opening her arms wide after a long, harsh winter; new blossoms popping out to embrace the sun. Unspoiled, if you catch my drift, until a month before our wedding date.

So, I called Kinny a few days ago to apologize, right? Got her voice mail and left her a message asking to meet in person. I could have called that number a hundred times just to hear that sweet voice. Yeah, I’m so not over her.

But, I did the right thing breaking up with her, even if it was lousy timing. She blamed me for the deaths of her mother and brother. Well, not me, but the badge in general.

Ten years later, I’m still a cop, just a different kind: a Deputy U.S. Marshal. That won’t matter to Kinny, though. I still carry a gun and a badge. So, it’s probably best that she blew me off and didn’t show up tonight. With an early morning appointment for a job transfer to Charlotte and plans to hunt down a house near my friends, my plate’s mighty full.

When Kinny stumbles into my room after midnight, a thug hot on her heels, what choice do I have but to protect her? Will she still see me as the “old” Renner? Or can I model the “new man” in Christ?

Sounds like an interesting journey, indeed. Ready to grab a copy? Show your support for a new Christian author, and show the world that Christian women not only have spending power but CHOOSE to use it for quality, clean, fiction.

Buy from Amazon:

Buy from the publisher: Pelican Book Group:

Or, buy an autographed copy at Dora's blog: http://dorahiers.blogspot.com/

After a successful auditing career, Dora left the corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom to her two sons. When her youngest son didn’t want her hanging out at school with him anymore, Dora started writing heart racing, God-gracing books. Dora belongs to the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Carolina Christian Writers. Dora and her husband make their home in North Carolina. When she’s not writing, Dora enjoys reading and family gatherings. She despises traffic, technological meltdowns, and a sad ending to a book. Her books always end with happily-ever-after’s.

Readers can connect with Dora at her website: http://www.dorahiers.com,

or on Facebook: Dora Hiers Author,

or Twitter: @DoraHiers

Thanks for coming by and don't forget to leave a comment (with contact info.)for your chance to win a copy of Dora's book!

A Merry December Deal!

It's finally here! December: the "most wonderful," the blessed, the busy, the exciting, exasperating, merry time of year.
I love it.

Even though this is a devotional blog, I'm going to do something different and share my first promotion of the month here. I'm an author as well as a daughter of God, wife, mother and friend; so it is a part of my life that I run promotions now and then on my books. And it only makes sense, now that I've given it some thought, to include that here.

Like anything else in life, you can ignore this if it doesn't interest you--though I hope it does!
If you have readers on your gift list, I'm simply offering an incentive for you to consider giving my regency series as a gift to them. I'm going to randomly choose five people to get a FREE copy of Country House Courtship from among those who participate.

If you've already pre-ordered Country House Courtship, and you win a copy, you can go on and give it away as a gift, too.
FOR FULL DETAILS, see the "Latest News" area on the my website HERE. It's right on the lower right-hand portion of the home page.

Not only will you give a gift that has delighted thousands of readers, but you'll be helping ME out, AND you might win a free book as well. Of course I'll sign the books for the winners. But EVERY PARTICIPANT will get something from me in the mail. I guarantee it. You might get a signed poster of one of my book covers, a stack of postcards with my books on them (which I hope you'll share), a personal note from me with a card, etc. (WARNING: GIFTS ARE LIKELY TO INCLUDE CHOCOLATE!)

If you choose to take part, I look forward to sending something to YOU!
Warmest Blessings,

Linore
Full details, again, are HERE: http://www.LinoreBurkard.com

And the Winner Is......
[drumroll]

Jody!
Congratulations, Jody! But I also want to thank each and every one of you who became a follower of this blog yesterday and participated in the contest. I'm sorry you couldn't all win. However, I may get wild and crazy and actually give each of you a book. In fact, I will! That's right--each and every one of you, since only 13 signed up. This is what I'd like you to do, though. Since only Jody rightfully won the contest by drawing, the rest of you can have a book for the cost of shipping. Leave a comment with your email address and I'll send you a link where you can simply pay for shipping. Fair enough? That's less than $2.50 for a book that retails for $13 or $14, and Jody is still the only one who gets the book for nothing at all.
The rest will get a copy of The House in Grosvenor Square. But please leave a comment today or this weekend, while I still have enough books around to do this!

Jody, I need to know which of my books you prefer. (Before the Season Ends, or, The House in Grosvenor Square). Contact me so I can get your mailing information to send your book. Email me at Linore (at) LinoreRoseBurkard (dot) com. Thanks and congratulations again.

Congratulations again to all of you; you are a winner in Christ for sure, and I hope this little
giveaway helps you to feel like one. : )