first of 4 book giveaways...

Today I walked into the nearest Barnes & Noble and was delighted to find just what I was looking for:) I'm so glad my married name begins with an "F" as it was alphabetized on the top shelf! I've always felt sorry for those bottom shelf books that end in X, Y, Z. I just had to buy one, of course, and am going to host four giveaways the month of August, starting today. I don't have an abundance of names to draw from so you readers who have chimed in have wonderful odds of winning this month!
In case you're wondering how this is done, I use the very scientific method of writing your names on paper, cutting them apart, placing them in my pink hat that says "GRITS...Girl Raised in the South," and then stirring them up a bit and drawing one. So my first official winner is...Kristen!

All you need to do is email me at laurafrantz61@yahoo.com and give me your mailing address and I will get the book out to you on Monday. Then I'll have another drawing the next Saturday and then the next, etc.

If you finish the book and liked it enough to post a review, I'd love to have you do that on Christianbook.com or Amazon.com or any other site you wish. Reader reviews are so important and one of the first things I consider when buying a book. I sure appreciate you readers, once again. I'm sorry if I'm being redundant but you are dear to my heart in more ways than you know!

the book is on shelves!

My dear aunt Janelle in Ohio emailed this morning to tell me some of my Kentucky aunts just bought my book and have read it or are reading it:) That is wonderful news! I wasn't sure when it would be in bookstores but my publisher tends to place their books a bit ahead of the release date. Better early than late! If Barnes & Noble wasn't 1 1/2 hours away I'd run over there and take a picture. I do know that our local bookseller, Port Book and News, on First Street in Port Angeles will have the book next week.

On Tuesday I received my first official book review by a Louisville native and author who is a descendant of a frontiersman. She wrote a very in-depth review which was, when printed out, 4 pages long:) I would post the link here but her review is so comprehensive and goes into such detail, I'd rather you read the novel! But it will be on my new website when it's up and running. If anyone would like to post a review on Amazon or Christianbook.com, please do!

Meanwhile, summer goes on. Foggy and 50 degrees here this morning. My favorite event of the year begins tomorrow - the sand sculpture contest in downtown Port Angeles. Sand sculptors from around the world (even Kentucky!) are here creating massive sand castles and other mind-boggling things. I will try to post a pic as the boys and I are going to walk the beach and admire everything tomorrow. Hope this fog goes away and the wind stays calm for these artists. They are armed to the teeth with all sorts of interesting tools and spray bottles to make the sand behave.

Oh, and I can't forget Friday's fact! Please stay tuned...