Thursday, December 1, 2011

RING IN DECEMBER WITH A BINGLE BELLS BOOK CHOICE: 1225 CHRISTMAS TREE LANE - A GIVEAWAY

 It's BINGLE BELLS Time!
BINGLE BELLS BOOKS are books I recommend for reading during the holiday season and/or giving as gifts. If a book is on this list, you can expect the warmth of the season in the story, or a book that anyone would love to receive as a gift.
THIS YEAR'S NEXT
BINGLE BELLS BOOK IS:
 
GIVEAWAY ENDED
1225 CHRISTMAS TREE LANE
A Cedar Cove Novel
BY DEBBIE MACOMBER

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Welcome to Christmas Town! 

The people of Cedar Cove know how to celebrate Christmas. Like Grace and Olivia and everyone else, Beth Morehouse expects this Christmas to be one of her best. Her small Christmas tree farm is prospering, her daughters and her dogs are happy and well, and her new relationship with local vet Ted Reynolds is showing plenty of romantic promise.

But . . . someone recently left a basket filled with puppies on her doorstep, puppies she's determined to place in good homes. That's complication number one. And number two is that her daughters Bailey and Sophie have invited their dad, Beth's long-divorced husband, Kent, to Cedar Cove for Christmas. The girls have visions of a mom-and-dad reunion dancing in their heads.

As always in life—and in Cedar Cove—there are surprises, too. More than one family's going to have a puppy under the tree. More than one scheme will go awry. And more than one romance will have a happy ending! 

AN EXCERPT FROM 1225 CHRISTMAS TREE LANE:
Chapter 1

"Mom!"

The front door slammed and Beth Morehouse hurried out of the kitchen. Three days before Christmas, and her daughters were home from college—at last! Her foreman, Jeff, had been kind enough to pick them up at the airport while Beth dealt with last-minute chores. She'd been looking forward to seeing them for weeks. Throwing her arms wide, she ran toward Bailey and Sophie. "Merry Christmas, girls."

Squealing with delight, they dropped their bags and rushed into her embrace.

"I can't believe it's snowing. It's so beautiful," Bailey said, holding Beth in a tight hug. At twenty-one, she was the oldest by fourteen months. She resembled her father in so many ways. She was tall like Kent and had his dark brown hair, which she'd tucked under a knitted cap. Her eyes shone with a quiet joy. She was the thoughtful one and that, too, reminded Beth of her ex-husband. Three years after the divorce, she still missed him, although pride would never allow her to admit that. Even her budding relationship with Ted Reynolds, the local veterinarian, paled when she thought about her life with Kent and their history together.

"My turn." Displacing Bailey, Sophie snuggled into Beth's embrace. "The house looks fabulous, Mom. Really Christmassy." This child was more like Beth. A few inches shorter than her sister, Sophie had curly auburn hair and eyes so blue they seemed to reflect a summer sky. Releasing Beth, Sophie added, "And it smells wonderful."

Beth had done her best to make the house as festive and bright as possible for her daughters. She'd spent long hours draping fresh evergreen boughs on the staircase leading to the second-floor bedrooms. Two of the three Christmas trees were loaded with ornaments. The main tree in the family room was still bare, awaiting their arrival so they could decorate it together, which was a family tradition.

A trio of four-foot-tall snowmen stood guard in the hallway near the family room where the Nativity scene was displayed on the fireplace mantel. Decorating had helped take Beth's mind off the fact that her ex-husband would be joining them for Christmas. This would be the first time she'd seen him in three years. Oh, they'd spoken often enough, but every conversation had revolved around their daughters. Nothing else. No questions asked. No comments of a personal nature. Just the girls and only the girls. It'd been strictly business. Until now.

Until Christmas.
To finish reading this excerpt, visit Debbie Macomber's website HERE.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
When Debbie Macomber started out, she was a young, dyslexic mother of four who wrote in her kitchen on a rented typewriter. Years later, she's the blockbuster bestselling author of dozens of heartwarming novels that celebrate love, laughter, and the bonds of family and friendship.

Publishing did not come easy to self-described "creative speller" Debbie Macomber. When Macomber decided to follow her dreams of becoming a bestselling novelist, she had a lot of obstacles in her path. For starters, Macomber is dyslexic. On top of this, she had only a high school degree, four young children at home, and absolutely no connections in the publishing world. If there's one thing you can say about Debbie Macomber, however, it is that she does not give up. She rented a typewriter and started writing, determined to break into the world of romance fiction.

The years went on and the rejection letters piled up. Her family was living on a shoestring budget, and Debbie was beginning to think that her dreams of being a novelist might never be fulfilled. She began writing for magazines to earn some extra money, and she eventually saved up enough to attend a romance writer's conference with three hundred other aspiring novelists. The organizers of the conference picked ten manuscripts to review in a group critique session. Debbie was thrilled to learn that her manuscript would be one of the novels discussed.

Her excitement quickly faded when an editor from Harlequin tore her manuscript to pieces in front of the crowded room, evoking peals of laughter from the assembled writers. Afterwards, Macomber approached the editor and asked her what she could do to improve her novel. "Throw it away," the editor suggested.

Many writers would have given up right then and there, but not Macomber. The deeply religious Macomber took a lesson from Job and gathered strength from adversity. She returned home and mailed one last manuscript to Silhouette, a publisher of romance novels. "It cost $10 to mail it off," Macomber told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2000. "My husband was out of work at this time, in Alaska, trying to find a job. The children and I were living on his $250-a-week unemployment, and I can't tell you what $10 was to us at that time."

It turned out to be the best $10 Macomber ever spent. In 1984, Silhouette published her novel, Heartsong. (Incidentally, although Heartsong was Macomber's first sale, she actually published another book, Starlight, before Heartsong went to print.) Heartsong went on to become the first romance novel to ever be reviewed in Publishers Weekly, and Macomber was finally on her way.

Today, Macomber is one of the most widely read authors in America. A regular on the New York Times bestseller charts, she is best known for her Cedar Cove novels, a heartwarming story sequence set in a small town in Washington state, and for her Knitting Books series, featuring a group of women who patronize a Seattle yarn store. In addition, her backlist of early romances, including several contemporary Westerns, has been reissued with great success.

Macomber has made a successful transition from conventional romance to the somewhat more flexible genre known as "women's fiction." "I was at a point in my life where I found it difficult to identify with a 25-year-old heroine," Macomber said in an interview with ContemporaryRomanceWriters.com. "I found that I wanted to write more about the friendships women share with each other." To judge from her avid, ever-increasing fan base, Debbie's readers heartily approve.
  
GIVEAWAY
 I HAVE ONE NEW, HARD BACK COPY OF
1225 CHRISTMAS TREE LANE TO GIVE
AWAY TO A LUCKY HOLIDAY READER!
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOUT 1225 CHRISTMAS TREE LANE THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 OR MORE ENTRIES: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING AT DEBBIE MACOMBER'S WEBSITE HERE. YOU MAY WANT TO COMMENT ON A BOOK OF HERS YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ, OR HAVE ENJOYED ALREADY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY TO RECEIVE EXTRA ENTRIES
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 
6 PM, EST, DECEMBER 20
GOOD LUCK!

117 comments:

lag123 said...

I want to see what happens when the ex husband comes to visit.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/142203979609288704

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I love the knitting patterns on Debbie's website. Especially the miracle scarf.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I subscribe via email.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I subscribe via google reader.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I follow via GFC.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I follow via networked blogs.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I follow via twitter: @lag32583

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I follow via FB: Lisa Holmes Garrett

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

1.+5 December Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

2.+5 December Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

3.+5 December Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

4.+5 December Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

5.+5 December Facebook

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debbie said...

I would like to find out where all the puppies go to.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Carol N Wong said...

I want to read it because I love Debbie Macomber's books and I want to see if the main character keeps one of the puppies. I hope so!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

petite said...

It would be interesting to find out about the puppies. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

The section with the recipes is lovely. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I noticed on her website that she has a very large collection of recipes.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with an e-mail subscription.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with Networked Blogs.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with qa RSS feed on my IGoogle Page.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with Twitter.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with Google Friends Connect.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

rubynreba said...

I love her books and the cover is beautiful! And I'd also like to see what happens when the ex visits!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Email subscriber
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Email subscriber
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 December Facebook Entry #1
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 November Facebook Entry #4
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 November Facebook Entry #5
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I would love to have a copy of her Christmas Cookbook. I'm going to look for it on the bookshelves!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Carol N Wong said...

2nd +5 Facebook Bonus


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
techeditor said...

I love animal books, so your writeup caught my attention.

bethvollbach at sbcglobal dot net

techeditor said...

I saw on the author's Web site that she advertises the movie based on her book, Trading Christmas, on the Hallmark Channel. I saw it.

bethvollbach at sbcglobal dot net

techeditor said...

I follow your blog by email and, I think, on Facebook.

bethvollbach at sbcglobal dot net

Suburban prep said...

I have read prior books by this author and I love the prospect of reading another especially set around the Christmas Holidays.

Suburban prep said...

There is a knitter's club of which I love to do is knit.

Suburban prep said...

I follow via Rss reader feed and through gfc

Steve Capell said...

I love Debbie Macomber's books so this one would be great win. Many of her books have been made for TV shows and I can see why.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

ann said...

Just the cover makes me want to read this book.

amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

email subscriber
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

gfc- follower- amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

i like and follow on FB
amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

i like the fact that Where ever you are - she takes you home
amhengst at verizon dot net

traveler said...

This book would be enjoyable and special. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The cookbook is enticing on her website. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

ann said...

1. December Facebook bonus points +5
amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

2. December Facebook bonus points +5
amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

3. December Facebook bonus points +5
amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

4. December Facebook bonus points +5
amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

5. December Facebook bonus points +5
amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

mamabunny13 said...

I just adore Debbie Macomber and love everything she writes!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I follow via gfc
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I follow by rss feed
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I follow on twitter @mamabunny13
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#1 +5 December Facebook
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#2 +5 December Facebook
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#3 +5 December Facebook
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mamabunny13 said...

#4 +5 December Facebook
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mamabunny13 said...

#5 +5 December Facebook
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

You can Download three sample
recipes from Debbies Christmas Cookbook on her website!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Karen B said...

This is the wrap-up book in her Cedar Cove series and is on my wishlist!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Karen B said...

Several of her books-turned-into-movies are now showing on Hallmark Channel.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Margie said...

I'd like to know if the puppies get good homes! This sounds like a great Christmas book.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I enjoyed the knitting section of Debbie's blog. I found a couple of scarf patterns I like.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

follow by Networked Blogs
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

email subscriber
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Facebook fan
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5Swag - 1
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5Swag - 2
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5Swag - 3
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Margie said...

+5Swag - 4
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Margie said...

+5Swag - 5
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

December Facebook fan - 1
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

December Facebook fan - 2
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

December Facebook fan - 3
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

December Facebook fan - 4
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

December Facebook fan - 5
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Sue Farrell said...

I think the cover of the book alone makes me want to read it---those puppies are just too cute.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I found a couple recipes in the holiday section of the author's recipe section of her website that I want to try.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I am an email subscriber.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I follow on GFC as Suekey.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I follow on twitter as @Suekey12.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I am a facebook fan where I am Suzan Morrow Farrell.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Connie said...

A christmas romance story involving puppies...I am sold! I loved her new movie "Trading Xmas" on the Hallmark channel the other day. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I am a loyal GFC follower. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

i want to read about the puppies!! thank you so much!

inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

i'm a gfc follower!

inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

Sandra K321 said...

I would enjoy reading this because I am a sucker for stories with puppies, and it's a Debbie Macomber book (even better!)
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandra K321 said...

I follow with GFC.
seknobloch(at)Gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

I want to read about the relationship with the ex.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I really like Call Me Mrs. Miracle

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Pat L. said...

I am a gfc follower.
patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

I love the miracle scarf.
patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

Would like to see where all the little puppies get homes.
patoct@yahoo.com

Cindy W. said...

Any book by Debbie MacComber, any book about Christmas and any book about puppies is a book I MUST read!

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I have to try some of Debbie's recipes that she has on her website.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I am an email subscriber.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I am a GFC follower.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I also found out about Trading Christmas on the author's website and have watched the movie twice now!

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Karen T said...

Am always up for a new Deb book.
lovesthemets@yahoo.com

Karen T said...

Would love to see who got the puppies.
lovesthemets@yahoo.com

dag888888 said...

Just watched a marathon of Debbie's Christmas movies on TV and another Christmas novel got me excited!

dag888888 said...

Email subscriber!

dag888888 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dag888888 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dag888888 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dag888888 said...

I enjoyed reading Debbie's Trading Christmas!

Misusedinnocence said...

THis sounds great! I love novels that take place during Christmas especially when there's family love and drama included~ :)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I learned that Trading Christmas is playing on the Hallmark channel this month!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I subscribe via email.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow on gfc.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Always enjoy a Deb Macomber books esp a Christmas one.
lovesthemets@yahoo.com
Natalies Mama

Anonymous said...

Want to see where the puppies go.
lrmegtom@gmail.com
Lynn Reilly
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