Tuesday, October 27, 2009

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BOWL - Susan May Warren - Free Book

I'm happy to welcome Suzy back to the blog with a heartwarming, hilarious Christmas story. Suzy, tell us about your salvation experience.

I grew up in the church, and was saved at a young age (let’s say seven) and then baptized at 12. However, in my teenage years I went through some questioning about my faith, and I’m sad to say I walked away from the Lord in my early college years. I realized how empty my life was without him pretty quickly, however, and I rededicated my life to Christ in July 1987. I also dedicated my life to missions, or full time ministry if He wanted at that time. Obviously, at that moment, Christ took the reins of my life and my heart and I’ve never been the same since. Yay!

How did you and your husband meet?

I worked as a program director at a wilderness camp; he worked as a trail guide at a local outfitter’s place. My place had no indoor plumbing or electricity – his place was a cake walk with HOT showers and a television! So, every weekend I went down and took a shower and ate hot pizza. We met during training week – or rather, he remembers meeting me during training week; I don’t’ remember meeting him until the end of the summer when our crew came to help their crew tear down a building. I was assigned to his tear down crew, and my first words to him were, “Can I borrow your hammer?” We “hit” it off, and were engaged 2 ½ months later!

James and I got married 3 months and 3 days after we met. Now, you’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

Hmmm….well, I love the plotting and deep thinking of James Scott Bell; the spiritual depth of Rachel Hauck; the literary voice of Mary DeMuth, and the free-spirited fun of Karen Ball. (Can’t I have more? I have SO many more!!)

Do you have a singing and speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

Not singing – unless you count Karaoke, and if you ever heard me sing, you’d know I have a voice fit only for heaven (as in, it needs to be transformed). But I do love speaking – I do a lot of women’s ministry speaking, at retreats, luncheons, teas, etc. I love getting to know women on a personal level, and sharing so many of the stories that God has used to teach me. (I’m a storyteller, not a Bible expositor).

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?

I brought the wrong kid to summer camp! Sadly, our camp was six hours away (one way), and they had flipped the regular schedule, so I THOUGHT I was supposed to bring my son – but I should have brought my daughter. I was rescued by a great friend who picked her up and drove her ½ way. We were still able to get her to camp by the lights out bell! I always double check now…

Now tell us about the book.

Yes. I LOVE Christmas stories - and every year I read aloud to my kids (okay, my college kid MIGHT be too old), The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever. And recently Dave Barry's, The Shephard, the Angel and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog. (SOOO funny). I wanted to write my OWN Christmas Classic.
So, I did. Well, at least I HOPE it is a Christmas classic.

Marrianne Wallace is focused on two things this holiday season: planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son’s football team in their bid for the state championship. Disaster strikes when the team loses their mascot—the Trout. Is it going too far to ask her to don the costume? So what if her husband has also volunteered her to organize the church Christmas tea. When football playoffs start ramping up, the Christmas tea starts falling apart. Then, one by one, her children tell her they can’t come home for Christmas. As life continues to unravel, will Marianne remember the true meaning of the holidays?

Dear Readers, I've read and reviewed this book, and I think you'll love it.

Thank you, Suzy for spending this time with us.

Readers, here's a link where you can order the book:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

40 comments:

Mark said...

Sounds great, enter me please

Michelle V said...

I love Susan's books and I've really been looking forward to this one!

Blessings
Michelle

Katherine said...

sounds like a great book, please enter me.

kefarley89(@)gmail(.)com

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview and would love to be entered in the drawing.

Megan said...

Just reading the little blurb about the book makes me laugh! Sounds like a funny Christmas story! I love them too!

Thanks for the interview, Lena!

Meg

connie e said...

This book sounds great! Please enter my name in the giveaway!

connieed52 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

Great post. This book sounds great. Please enter me.Blessings.
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot][com

Edna said...

I really like this interview, have not read any of Susan's books yet but would love to win this one. I love the Christmas stories.

May God bless

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

G.R.I.T.S. said...

I love Susan's writing!!

Please enter me!

Rae

Julie said...

Sounds like a great book! I love stories like this at Christmas. Can't wait to read it. Please enter me.

Julie
sweetpea{dot}hull{at}gmail{dot}com

Sheila Deeth said...

Sounds like a great book to get me ready for Christmas.

Sarah said...

I love Susan's books. Please enter me in the drawing.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book! Sounds like a great one! Thanks.
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Sherry Kuhn said...

I love Susan's writing. Please enter me in the drawing for The Christmas Bowl.

Thanks,
Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Laney4 said...

Hi! Good to know that others' lives unravel too. Sometimes books gloss over "real life" but this one sounds quite realistic and I'm looking forward to checking it out further. Thanks!

The Herd said...

I love this author---we (my friends here in Russia) love reading from her perspective because it's so true to life being over here!
Please enter me!!
jnkbullatgmaildotcom

Theresa N. said...

Sounds like a wonder plot foor a holiday novel.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

don said...

please count me in!


dle1947 @ yahoo.com

host said...

Sounds very interesting, please count me in.

JJ said...

I have tried to win this one other contests. lol

Thanks,
gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

Wendy said...

This sounds like a fun book. I have been hearing a lot of good things about it. Thanks for the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas stories and your books sounds great!!

Giveaway Lady said...

Hi, please enter me in the giveaway. I love to read her books and this one sounds great:)
Thanks for all you do with the interviews and all.
esterried@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

LOL - I've never read any of your books but this one looks great! Please enter me! Great interview by the way!

Hugs
Val
lastnerve2000@gmail.com

CarlybirdH said...

I would love to win a copy of this book. I have wanted to read it since it came out. Thank you!

Kristen said...

Sounds hilarious, and heart-warming. Please enter me in the drawing.

Carol said...

I'm looking forward to reading during my Christmas reading this year. Even better if I win a copy! Thanks!

Carol

Anonymous said...

Would LOVE to read this book...thanks for the opportunity.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lori (sugarandgrits) said...

A Christmas story by Susie...gotta have it! It's been on my wishlist for a while now...please enter me! :)

Thanks for the great interview!
~ Lori

sugarandgrits{at}hotmail{dot}com

Hope said...

Love Susan May Warren's books!
Please enter me in the drawing.
onepilgrim86(at)yahoo.com

Lady Araujo said...

I'd love to read this book.
Please, enter me.

Ashley E said...

I love Susan May Warren's books, and I need a pick me up book this winter, so please enter me! I will get hold of this book one way or the other! LOL

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Sounds wonderful, please enter me!

dancealert at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I really love to read this book,it sounds so good.Please enter me.

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I would love to read the book! Please enter me.

dancealert at aol dot com

Susan said...

Thank you all so much for your kind words!

And thank you Lena for the great interview - and for all you do!

Christmas Cheer to you all~

Susan May Warren
www.susanmaywarren.com

Roanna said...

I would like to be entered for this book. Thanks so much!

Rose McCauley said...

A Christmas book by a great author--what more could I ask for other than a cup of hot chocolate and time to read it!

Marla said...

Please enter me. Sounds like something different. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

adge said...

I've seen this book at a lot of places, please include me in the giveaway.