1. That Certain Spark By Cathy Marie Hake
2. The Bride Bargain Kelly Hake
3. The Bride Backfire Kelly Hake
4. The Bride Blunder Kelly Hake
5. Forevermore Cathy Marie Hake
6. Bittersweet Cathy Marie Hake
7. Letter Perfect Cathy Marie Hake
8.A Vote of Confidence Robin Lee Hatcher
9. Fit to be tied Robin Lee Hatcher
10. Any of the Love Finds you Series....except Humble Texas

I Found this giveaway...and to enter, click the photo above!

Giveaway Rules:
* You must have a valid e-mail address (you must leave your e-mail address in the comment to be entered in the contest. To prevent spammers write e-mail like this.... i.e: i95fahrenheit[at]ymail[dot]com)
* Must have a valid U.S mailing address.
* U.S residents only
*The giveaway will start on Dec. 29th 2009 and end on Jan. 4th 11:59 pm, 2010
Any entries after the set date will not be entered in the giveaway
* The winner will be announced on Jan 5th 2010 on this blog. The winner will be contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail. If they do not reply within the 48 hours, a new winner will chosen.

For extra entries:
1+ For commenting (including the link and your e-mail address)
2+ For becoming a new follower
3+ For being an old follower
5+ For post (on the sidebar of your blog) about this giveaway on your blog

Also, stop by Lori's blog and leave a comment with the list of your "Top 10" :~)

The Story Of The Christmas Tree

People often wonder where the custom of having a tree in the home during Christmas time comes from. We will probably never know for sure. But there are several historical clues that point out where this custom came from.



An Ancient Symbol

Thousands or years ago, there were people who believed that evergreen trees were magical. Even in winter, when all the other trees and greenery were brown and bare, the evergreen stayed strong and green. People saw the evergreen as a symbol of life and as a sure sign that sunshine and spring would soon return. Candles, or the electric lights we use to decorate our trees today, are also an ancient symbol. They represent the light of spring triumphing over the darkness of winter.
In ancient Rome, people decorated their homes and their temples with greenery during a special December feast. It was a happy time. No battles could be fought, the schools were closed, and people everywhere joined in the carnival-like atmosphere and gave each other presents.


The Modern Tree

So when did the Christmas tree go indoors? Legend has it that the tradition was begun by Martin Luther in Germany. He was a monk and church reformer who lived from 1483 to 1546. According to the legend, Luther was returning home one wintry night when he saw the stars twinkling in the sky through the tree branches. Luther was amazed by the sight, and when he arrived home, he was eager to tell his family about it. To help them understand, he went to the woods and cut down a small fir tree. Luther brought it indoors and decorated it with candles, which represented the stars he had seen.
The custom spread in Germany, and from there all over the world. In England, the Christmas tree first appeared when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, who was German. In 1841, Albert set up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle near London to remind him of his homeland. The Christmas tree custom was brought to the United States by people from England as well as by many German immigrants who came in the 1800's. Whatever its origin, the Christmas tree is a beautiful symbol for everyone who celebrates Christmas.




The Legend of the First Christmas Tree

The night of the Saviour's birth, all the living creatures, both flora and fauna, came to Bethlehem with gifts. The olive tree brought its fruit and the palm its dates. But the little fir tree had no gift and was so tired it couldn't resist when the big trees pushed it into the background and hid it from view. But then a nearby angel took pity and commanded a cluster of stars to come and rest on its delicate boughs. When the Baby Jesus beheld this lovely lighted tree, He smiled and blessed it, declaring henceforth that fir trees should always be filled with lights at Christmastime to please little children.

These legends taken from http://www.morning-glow.com/holidays/xmas/xmastree.html

These legends were taken from common legends on the interenet...they do not represent my personal beliefs and views of the Christmas Tree...I just think it's interesting to see how many different stories there are for one thing we have every year!

Merry Christmas to All! And Remember Jesus Christ is the REASON for the CHRISTmas Season!

Rae Byuel

BACK COVER:
Singer Annette Talbot used her voice to spread the gospel with a traveling missionary troupe. When the Latrells take over and want Annie to dress provocatively and give up singing her beloved hymns, Annie flees to Ranger Bluff, Wyoming, dreaming of reuniting with her father for Christmas. But trouble chases her—right off the edge of a cliff!

Elijah Walker’s heart turned as cold and barren as the high plains in December after his ex-fiancée betrayed him and caused his father’s death. But when he rescues Annie out of a freezing river, Walker’s instincts tell him he must help her.

With her hermit father retreating to the high country and the Latrells intent on kidnapping her to make money off her singing, Annie may have no way out.

Has Annie hidden the truth about wanted posters bearing her face too long for anyone to believe her now?

Can Elijah overcome the pain from the past and learn to love again?

Will there ever be peace in their hearts in time for Christmas?


A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?
Another Great book by Mary Connealy!!! Not to mention it's revolving around Christmas time!
It all starts with Annette Talbot finding out she is working for the wrong kind of people...They aren't trying to save souls, they're trying to take all their money. But when she tries to get away from them, they frame her for a murder, that she didn't commit! So she's on the run, going from town to town, trying to get home to her father and their ranch.
Elijah Walker, A cowboy still trying to get over the betrayal of his ex-fiance, and how she tricked him, finds himself feeling protective of this slip of a girl he meets on the stage bound for his hometown. Little did he know, it was the little girl who used to live on the neighboring Ranch. All he has to figure out is, How to protect this girl, and his heart at the same time.
As these two find themselves on the same path more often than not, they have to learn to work together otherwise they both might turn up seriously hurt...or worse.
I loved how Mary wove in the Romance, And how even though Elijah had sworn off women, he still did the right thing in protecting Annette...even to the extent of having her live on his ranch with him and his mother. But he's not a basket of roses...this man has a temper, and is on a no speaking terms with God, Blaming himself for the death of his father.
Annette's Character is one that you automatically love, she's a sweet christian girl, who was shipped off to a boarding school soon after her mother died, all because her dad didn't know how to cope. But that didn't dampen her spirits, she started using her talents to serve God. She's also, a stubborn woman who likes to be independent, and doesn't (think she) needs a man to help her out.

Texas Christmas Grooms By Pamela Griffin & Vickie McDonough
The Sequel to Texas Christmas Brides

BACK COVER:

Can Two Grooms be lassoed in time for Christmas?

Hearts are forever changed when retired Texas Rangers try their hands at matchmaking in by-gone days. Will any of their absurd schemes work out as planned?

Erik Olson is shocked when Anna Campbell arrives in town with two small orphans in tow and declares they are his brother's children. Will Erik prove her claims false and see her gone by Christmas?

Travis McCoy is a nomadic photographer with no time to put down roots, find a wife, and raise a family. But when he enters Cut Corners, the temptations to change are strong, and he has to keep reminding himself of his goal to leave by Christmas.

How far will the schemers of Cut Corners go to make sure four wild hearts are corralled by love and tamed by faith in time for Christmas?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:

In this sequel, the meddlesome founders of Cut Corners are at it again! They decide that there should be 2 more weddings in Cut Corners, and Christmas seems to be the time to get it done. The only thing missing are the Brides.

Erik is Positive the Children are not his brother's, For he was 99% sure his brother was dead long before the Children were born...But when they look just like him, will he be able to say no? And when he starts to fall in love w/their Temporary Guardian, will she be able to convince him that his brother wasn't dead until a few months ago...or will he just take them in whether or not they are really related to him? But when a letter arrives... Things begin to change!

Travis McCoy, Wasn't even going to give her the time of day, because he didn't want a family, but when his uncle Tricks him into taking her out...His thoughts begin to change. Vivian has watched year after year Women getting married by Christmas, And wonders if this year is her turn? But could Travis overlook how clumsey she is? Especially when she makes his Tent/black room fall on his head.

Ok, this is a post for my Christmas Reading Challenge...and Yes I have done this book before, but I was looking at that review, and I thought I could give you some more information about it.

Back Cover:
When four retired Texas Rangers try their hands at matchmaking, their efforts cause more fires that they can put out.
Peony Potter, a pretty girl with a mysterious past, has swept into town with a heap of trouble following close on her heels. When she comes head to head with the Local Sheriff and his suspicions, their relationship seems forever splintered before it's even begun.
Lacey Mather has come to Cut Corners to help out at Millie's Diner until her great-aunt's broken arm mends. While she's in town, Lacey's delicious cooking is warming many hearts and stomachs-especially those of a iron-willed blacksmith.
As Christmas draws near, clandestine meetings are held and plans are afoot to foil plots to leave town. Will the town of Cut Corners learn that no matter what plans they hold, God is the grandest planner of them all?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?

Not the Marrying Type:
By:Kathleen Y'Barbo

When Peony decides that she is tired of her mother's life, and wants something new, where people don't know who she was, she decides to hop on a train and head anywhere...but when her traveling companion dies, things change. She finds herself in Cut Corners, Texas, finally living her dream of opening her own Dress Shop. But little did she know that her trip to Cut Corners, would include the local Sheriff.

Rafe wants out of this little town where nothing ever happens, he wants to do something important. As he's trying to figure out how to convince his dad to let him join the Rangers like he did...A slip of a girl shows up in town and starts making his job more interesting. And when he tries to teach his father a lesson, he ends up learning one of his own.

Here Cooks the Bride:
By Cathy Marie Hake

Aunt Millie Broke her arm, so when her niece Lacey Mather Shows up to help, everyone wonders if she can cook better than her aunt...who Cookin can Scorch your stomach. When Lacey's First meal comes out, She doesn't have a spare minute to call her own...What with cookin, and turning down Marriage proposal's left and right. But Jeff Wilson (Rafe Wilson's Cousin) Doesn't want to let her get away, but can he come between her plans to teach at a Ladies Finishing School?

As has become a tradition, and a permanent fixture on this site...I want to give you some Legend/History of Thanksgiving...and this year....the Proclamation that President Lincoln presented in Washington on Oct. 3, 1863

Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation
Washington, DC—October 3, 1863
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.


This was found @ About.com
Check back next Year, for some more Legends/History of Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I received this Award from Lori @ Some of my Favorite Things

Since I've received this award, I have to now tell you 10 honest
things about myself, as well as, pass the award along to
10 more bloggers of my choice.


Here are 10 honest things about me:
1.I'm scared of the Dark (I mean when I'm outside alone)

2.My Dream is to become a Pro. Makeup Artist

3.I hate Chinese Food

4.but I love Mexican!

5. I was Saved June 10,2000

6.I'm not that crazy about Thunderstorms while I'm trying to sleep.

7. I Love being around Children!

8. I never forget a Book that I've read.(and let me tell you, I've read a lot)

9. Christmas is my FAVORITE time of year....except for the cold!

10. I blush easily....lol

Now for the 10 Bloggers:

Ok so I'm going to be lazy, lol....I'm passing this on to all of my followers!
So if you follow this blog....take the Award!

and...

Ashley@ After all...Tomorrow is another Day
I'll add some other names later...but I got 2 get ready to go!

1- Challenge will start Friday, November 20 and will end Thursday, December 31.

2- You can read anywhere from 1 to 5 books for the challenge and, of course, if you're like me, you are more than welcome to surpass that number.

3- And now, here's the clincher... they must be holiday related books. That's right, the holiday doesn't really matter, but it would be more "jolly" if your choices were Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.

4- The size of the book does not matter, nor does the genre. It is also okay for the book to overlap with other challenges. The only thing I ask is that they are not children's books. YA is okay. And so are re-reads. I for one tend to read the same books every Christmas - they are tradition.

5- To sign up - leave a link back to your challenge post. There will also be a post for review links as well as one for challenge wrap-ups.

6- And.... there will be goodies. That's right, we'll call them presents. At the end of every week that the challenge is running I will choose one winner from the review links and I will allow them to pick a book of their choosing (of course, I will provide a list). Meaning the more books you read, review and link up, the more chances you have at winning a "present".

I Saw this on Lori's Blog, And I have a ton of Christmas Books, and I do read a lot of them as tradition...So I can't wait to start this challenge!!! I'll have to start On the 22nd, because I'm headed to See my Best friend at College, and wont get back till the 21st, so I'll start the 22nd...but I'm pretty sure I'll end up reading more than 5 books!

-Forever Christmas

And Many More!

If you would like to join this Challenge, click the photo at the top of this post!

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson
Weddings By Bella book 1
(click photo to have a look inside)

Back Cover:
Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business. Bella quickly books a Boot-Scooting' Wedding that would make any Texan Proud. There's only one catch-she doesn't know a thing about country music. Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows hit Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding?
Fun, Fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?
Talk about a GREAT book! I personally love the Cover! (I'm pretty much the type of girl, that you show me any book that is about cowboys...I'm there! And this is no exception!)

Bella's Story all starts when her Uncle Laz experience a Damascus Road experience (You're probably thinking 'huh'....but that's as much as I'm going to say about that...except, you'll get the full story of his Damascus Road experience on Pages 1 & 2) And that sent the family packin' to Texas! Now picture this, A True Italian family (they all speak Italian, and love Dean & Frankie!) moving to Texas...If that hasn't already put a funny Picture in your head...keep reading, I'll try to get that picture there!

Now this is a regular Italian family...So the only logical this is, The whole clan move to Texas...

Bella's Parents opened up a Bella's Wedding Facility (Because her pop was lactose intolerant, and was tired of helping Uncle Laz)

Uncle Laz Opened up his own Pizza/coffee place called Parma John's

While Aunt Rosa took care of the house. Now in the Rossi family, there was always a fight going on between Aunt Rosa and Uncle Laz on whether Dean Martin was better for Cooking & Cleaning or Frank Sinatra was the best...And this leads to Bella's Dilemma, When Planning a Boot-Scottin' Wedding, she's gotta come up with some Country Music, and a Deejay fast!

When she finally gets a number for a deejay...Duh-wayne Neeley...She's thrown into a whirlwind of problems, from Too many boots, to Falling in love.

I Highly Recommend this book, and I can't wait to read Swinging on a Star (Book 2). In the mean time, I suggest you grab a copy of this book, and get ready for some Texas Twang, and Two-Steppin'!

And Stop By This Blog, to get a different take on Fools Rush In!
Book Trailer:

Hi Y'all,

I'm not sure how many of you Remember me starting the 100+ Challenge that I started in Feb. of this year. And Boy was it hard to get 100 different books.....I'm the kind of person that LOVES to re-read good books....But I have read a ton of books this year...and since the computer I used to use for my blogging went down, and I had to switch computers...things got in a jumble...So I'm probably missing some books on my list, but that's fine I'm still having fun!!!

And I have a nice big stack waiting next to my bed to be read in the next couple of weeks!

To See what Books I've read this year: 100+Book Challenge

I received this awesome award from Angie at Never a Dull Moment

I am to list 7 of my favorite things and send it on to 7 other bloggers, so here goes...

1)Reading

2)I love to Crochet

3)Scrapbooking

4)Writing

5)Spending time w/my family

6)Baking

7)Doing makeup (check out blog... Rollers, Ribbons, & Rouge

And I pass it on to any of you that Haven't received this award yet!

And November's CFRB Tour is......

It opens with You finding out that Kevin (Kate's Husband) had died from a hear attack at the office. Kate's in shock, and everyone is trying to help her through this time, but she's basically just running on automatic. After about 2 weeks of being holed up inside the house, Kate's mom (also recently a widow) starts to worry about her daughter, and tries to help, by bringing over some books for Kate to read. A Friend stops by to offer her sympathies, and a list of counselors for Kate to look into...and all this time she's yet to step foot upstairs! And then, the Voice starts to invade her thoughts and house. But it isn't just any voice...It's Kevin's! Now Kevin isn't saying anything important really, he's just talking like he would every other day...like 'You burn the toast' ,'the teapot is whistling', and things like that...But Kate doesn't know how to keep him talking...and then she learns a terrible sercret! As a result of knowing this secret, and realizing everyone (so she thought) she trusted was in on it., Throwing her off the deep end...sending her for mental help...and a long road to the Lord. With the help of a young man she befriends one day, and the faith of a good friend...She finds herself on the road to recovery. Will Kate learn to 'shut off' Kevin? Or will she be a Mental patient her whole life?

The Legend of the

Jack-O-Lantern:


The legend of the Jack-O-Lantern comes from Ireland from about the 18th century. With some variations the basis of the Jack-O-Lantern is as follows:

There was a stingy drunkard of an Irishman named Jack who tricked the Devil into climbing an apple tree. Then Jack quickly cut the sign of a cross into the trunk of the tree, thereby preventing the Devil from climbing down. Jack made the Devil swear that he wouldn't ever come after Jack's soul again or claim it in any way. However, this did not stop Jack from dying and when he did he was not allowed into Heaven, because of his life of drinking, being tightfisted and being deceitful. And because of the oath the Devil had taken Jack was not allowed into Hell either. "But where can I go?" asked Jack. "Back where you came from!" replied the Devil. The way back was windy and dark. The Devil, as a final gesture, threw a live coal at Jack straight from the fire of Hell. To light his way and to keep it from blowing out in the wind Jack put it in a turnip he was eating. Ever since Jack and his "lantern" has been traveling over the face of the earth looking for a place to rest.

The moral of the story: Don't mess with the devil.
This Legend was taken from....here

Another version of this legend......