WINNER Plus New Contest!

(Getting cozy with a good book. And we thought sectionals were new?)

 Jean-Etienne Liotard 1702-1789 Madame Adelaide

Book Winner Announcement!

 The winner of a book of her choice  from among all those I've written, is: 

Karen K  (kmkuka)

Congratulations, Karen! We hope you'll soon be reading in comfort like Madame Adelaide. (above.)
[If you haven't already chosen your book, scroll down the right side-bar of this blog to see the choices.
You can choose an autographed copy of either Before the Season Ends, The House in Grosvenor Square, or, The Country House Courtship. In addition, you can choose a kindlegraphed copy (an ebook with a virtual autograph) of any of the above, or Coach and Four: Allisandra's Tale, or, Her One True Soldier.]

I've been hard at work to add another offering to the above list. If you're a fan of my regency series, my new book is a regency with characters you're going to adore, including a hero you'll want to smack upside the head--before falling into his arms, that is. :) (Qualities any self-respecting hero should possess, don't you think?)

This brings to mind a movie, FIREPROOF, that I FINALLY watched. I was skeptical, for some reason, of its reputation: that it would be touching, or make me cry, or make me want to work on my own marriage (they all take work) but end wonderfully. What can I say?

"Reader, I cried."

I wanted to smack Kirk Cameron in the head, and then by the end, you can't wait for the actress playing his wife (sorry, can't pull up her name at the moment) to get back in his arms. Good hero. Good movie.  I'd even watch it again. (And if Chip, my awesome agent, happens to read this, sorry, but Kirk Cameron CAN act. He must have seen your comment and gone back to acting school. tee hee! )

The New Contest! 

This week, I'm stepping it up a little by giving away not one, but five great books by popular Christian authors. 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.  

The 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 Rose Burkard,  Autographed by moi, of course. 

My iPad camera is (still) 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. With Thanksgiving coming up next month, I'd like to keep things focused there, on the blessings in our lives: family, friends, freedom of worship-- food!
There we have four categories, so we'll start off this contest with the first one: Family. The contest runs til Thursday, November 8th. 
  

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! Please note that the winner will be chosen by random, not by judging the photos. Don't be afraid to share your most humble pics!

I've started things off by sharing a special photo of my own. 

 (Instead of creating a photo album for this, I'm letting everyone post their photos to the main page, so each one will drop down as new ones are posted. If this doesn't work well, for future contests like this I'll create a photo album.)

My grandmother lived with us before she died. She loved babies, like all the women in my family. Here she is with my youngest. She lived long enough to get this child hooked on Pringles! My first book is dedicated to my grandmother. I miss you, Grandma!

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

                            

 This Week's Theme:  FAMILY. Can't wait to see your pictures and get to know you a little better!
Hugs and Blessings,

Linore

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.

ACT FAST--GET THESE FREE!

Thought I'd quickly share a batch of Kindle books I just picked up for free on Amazon. Some free books are there for a long time and the price doesn't change, but many are only available free for a day or a few days. If any of the following interest you, pick 'em up quick!

(And remember, you can get a free Kindle app for your pc or iphone, etc. if you don't have a Kindle. If you use a Nook, check Nook Books for the same titles. Chances are if they're free on Kindle, then they'll be free on Nook, too.)

Kissing Adrien [Kindle Edition] $0.00 (This one's by Siri Mitchell! How neat that it's free--get it while it lasts.)
Sold By: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Desires of My Heart - Meditation on Psalm 37:4 [Kindle Edition] $0.00
Sold By: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Promise Me This [Kindle Edition] $0.00
Sold By: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Speaking of Jesus: The Art of Not-Evangelism [Kindle Edition] $0.00
Sold By: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Live Organic (52 Brilliant Ideas) [Kindle Edition] $0.00
Sold By: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Growing Up Country: Memories of an Iowa Farm Girl [Kindle Edition] $0.00
Sold By: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

An interesting thing about the availability of free books is that it doesn't stop me from buying a book when I decide I want it. What about you? Do you get the freebies, and if so, has it resulted in your spending less on books? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks, and don't forget there's a book giveaway going on right here right now--just scroll down to the last post and leave a comment. You could win a romantic suspense novel by Dora Hiers.

Until next time,

Linore
website: www.LinoreBurkard.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LinoreRose
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AuthorNewsfromLinore/

An Unthinkable Danger

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice.

Today is FICTION FRIDAY on Woman of Faith, and award-winning author (and personal dear friend) Melanie Dickerson is stopping by to tell us about her excellent latest book, The Merchant's Daughter.Isn't the cover just gorgeous? And don't you want to know what is the unthinkable danger? The unexpected choice?

To answer these questions, I found myself turning pages quickly while reading the book. I wouldn't feature a book here if I didn't think you, my readers, would enjoy it, no matter how good a friend the author is. So, take my word for it: you'll enjoy this medieval treat. It's a fresh take on Beauty and the Beast, a fairy-tale makeover for Christian girls. (And don't go away: Melanie's giving away a free book to one commenter!)

Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.

Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

I asked Melanie to give us some little-known facts about herself, and it turns out she had some major clues that writing was in her blood. How many authors can say the following of themselves?

Me: Melanie, what are four things most people don't know about you?

Melanie:
1. My father was named after the famous western writer, Zane Grey.
2. I was named after Melanie in Gone With the Wind.
3. I grew up about 30 or 40 miles from the town where Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, grew up. And my maiden name was Lee.
4. I lived in Ukraine for one year, the same town that the most famous Ukrainian poet, Shevchenko, was from. And we lived on Shevchenko Street.

How's THAT for coincidences? Melanie, we'll have to concede that you were destined for literary greatness. OR, we could read your books and find out that way!

Here are links for you to check out Melanie's latest:
The Merchant's Daughter (from Amazon)

OR
From Barnes and Noble

WIN A FREE BOOK
Leave a comment for Melanie from now until next Friday and she'll award one commenter with a free book. Thank you, Melanie! You've made this Fiction Friday so special!

To learn more about Melanie, stop by her website at http://www.MelanieDickerson.com

Kindle Freebies

Last night I got carried away when I was browsing titles available for Kindle.
As a writer, I love old books, and there were many "new" old titles available--and almost all of them were free. (How could I resist?)

It occurred to me that many of these books would be of interest to some of you. Lots of my readers are writers also, or mothers, homeschoolers, etc. (I have such smart women readers!) So, here's the list I picked up: Books are free unless otherwise noted: (If you don't have a Kindle, take a title that interests you and check Project Gutenberg for it. Most older books that are free in one place will also be available there, and you can download the books as a pdf. In addition, unlike the Kindle versions, Project Gutenberg offers books WITH illustrations intact. That's my biggest complaint with Kindle--illustrations are often missing.)

Anyway, here's my list of my latest and greatest free ebooks:

1.Tillie, A Mennonite Maid: A Story of the Pennsylvania Dutch
2. Woman's Life in Colonial Days
3. The Prairie Traveler: A Handbook for Overland Expeditions
4. The Paradise of Children (From, "A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys")
5. Under the Lilacs (Penny Books) (This one cost $1.00)
6. The Betrothed (Penny Books) (Also $1.00)
7. A Plain Cookery Book for the Working Classes
8. Woman's Institute Library of Cookery: Various Volumes (I got three)
9. Directions for Cookery, In Its Various Branches
10.Mary at the Farm and Book of Recipes Compiled During Her Visit Among the Pennsylvania Germans
11.The Homeplace (Singing River Series #1) (This won't be on Gutenberg)
12.Stopping Time, Part One
13. Stopping Time, Part Two
14. A Gift of Grace (Kauffmann Amish Bakery Series#1)(won't be on Gutenberg)
15.The Twelve Sacred Traditions of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law (I can't wait to see this one! HA.)
16. Publish on Amazon Kindle With the Digital Text Platform (this may help with a workshop I teach on self-publishing.)
17. The Grey Fairy Book (Also the Brown, Blue, and Lilac are available.)These are the classic books that Dover puts out, too.
18. Handy Dictionary of Poetical Quotations
19. Familiar Quotations
20.The Book of Three Hundred Anecdotes,Historical, Literary and Humorous: A New Selection
21. The World's Greatest Books, Volume Two: Fiction (I'm trying this one out. What the heck--it's free.)

Now you know why I love my Kindle! Every so often I go on a book "buying" frenzy and it costs me practically nothing. Actually, the real reason I love it is because it's truly helping me read more. I no longer have to annoy my husband with my reading light because the Kindle light is way less obtrusive to others in a room. He gets to sleep while I get to read!

I've had other book-gathering frenzies for my Kindle, which I'll share another time. But use this list to take advantage of freebies while they last if you have a Kindle, or check Project Gutenberg.

Happy Reading!!

HAVE BOOK, WILL TRAVEL--Around the Blogosphere, that is.
GIVEAWAYS GALORE! (The Blog Book Tour)

Interested in reading The Country House Courtship, but can't buy a new book right now?
Follow my blog tour and simply leave a comment to be entered in multiple drawings for giveaways of my book.

Here's this week's round-up of stops on the blogosphere: (Where you can read more about me or the book, and enter drawings to win a free book!)And most posts remain up (and the drawing is in effect) for up to a week, so check them out even if you miss the initial posting date.

Still Available: Sat. Jan. 9th
http://petticoatsandpistols.com (Catch me here discussing weaponry and duelling during the regency)

Monday January 11th:
Living Our Faith Out Loud
Word Vessel
Margaret Daly's Blog (DON'T MISS this interview with the heroine of Country House--Miss Beatrice Forsythe. You'll get some "insider info" as to what makes her tick.)


Wednesday, January 13th:
Inkwell Inspirations
Scones recipe from me at: Living our Faith Out Loud

Thursday, January 14th:
A personal post from me on Living Our Faith Out Loud


Friday, January 15th
The Sword and Spirit

Saturday, January 16th-17th
A unique interview with me on: International Christian Fiction Writers Blogspot

And don't forget that if you aren't on my mailing list yet, all new subscribers are
entered in a drawing to win a free book from me--it could be one of my books or a Christian fiction book by a different author which you'll love--so sign up today!
You'll also get my monthly "Regency Reflections" e-zine, with illustrated articles, specially chosen links for you to enjoy, and author news.