Christmas Challenge, Ruthy-style!

Okay, how cute is that kid??? And those puppies???? And no, they have nothing to do with this blog, but isn't that just total Christmasy goodness????  And with a pic like that, you can bet we sold some puppies that Christmas!!!  ;)

Okay, Ruthy here, AKA "The Yank" over at the Yankee Belle Cafe where good things are happenin' and cookin' 24/7!  We're talking Christmas books today because it is a truth universally acknowledged that a good woman of simple fortune must be in want of a GOOD READ AT CHRISTMAS, right????

Of course, right! And it just so happens that my beautiful, delightful, funny, poignant story of two soldiers without a home to call their own, stumble upon each other in the most unlikely way in Yuletide Hearts, my December 2011 Love Inspired release.

December. You get that, right? That means it's on shelves NOW. Like... today. This morning. Tonight. For like a month, but do not wait.

Why would you even consider waiting because it's such a charming, heart-warming romance about righting old wrongs... laying new ground.... beginning anew.... and with a sweet, colloquial Christmas decoration called "Shadow Jesus", how could you not fall in love with this book? And it's a Love Inspired so it can be yours for $5 more or less... I mean, really, $5?????  This is such a good deal!!!!  ;)

But of course, you want to know a little about it, right? Because Seekerville isn't about selling books (although I'll be the first to admit that I love, love, love it when people buy my book because that makes Mr. Harlequin very happy. I like keeping him happy. If he's happy, I keep getting contracts. This is a win/win, right????) Seekerville is about sharing the love.... Of writing and reading.


Well.

Today we're doing something a little bit different.  Today the Ruth-meister is throwing down the gauntlet because it's Christmas time and we're going to ante-up and put our money where our mouths are. (Does anyone know what that means????  I absolutely refuse to put money in my mouth. Yuck-to-the-highest-order.)

So, here's the scoop:  If you put in a minimum of two hours bell ringing for the Salvation Army, I will send you a copy of Yuletide Hearts (autographed if it's a hard copy) or an e-format copy if you prefer.

And that's it.

You give....

I give.

Simple concepts. I love simple concepts. So why make it hard?

Do you want a free book?

Of course.

And I want to help a worthwhile organization that helps millions of people every year. So if you ring bells, I send you a book.

How will I know?

Umm... really????  Because you'll tell me. You'll send an e-mail to iloveruthybooks (at) gmail (dot) com and you'll say something like:  "I'm ringing the bells at Grand Central Station on December 3rd from 6-8 PM!"

And then I send a book to the first 20 people willing to do this.

I cannot possibly make this easier or more beneficial for a large number of people, right???  I'm ringing this Friday night at Entrance 5 (near Barnes and Noble and Critics Restaurant) from 5:00 until 8:30... At the Mall at Greece Ridge Center outside of Rochester.

All it takes is a phone call to hook you up. And then let me know when you're scheduled and voila! You get a book.

A book about a woman who goes the distance for her family. A woman who wore the uniform of our country with pride and was cast off as unfeminine by the man who swore to love her all her days...

A stinkin' liar, that's what he was!

And it's a book about a little boy named Jake, a good kid who struggles some with school but follows his mother and grandfather in their 'work first' mindset... and loves World War II trivia. And Winston Churchill. But who DOESN'T love Churchill???

And it's about a marine who has old wrongs to set right. A man of honor who made mistakes and is ready to own them. A man who's willing to do what it takes to fix old wrongs. Even though not everyone in the old town is willing to forgive his teen-age sins.

And just by-the-way, the hero "Matt Cavanaugh" is smokin' hot. And he's got a great sense of humor. And he's good to dogs, kids and finds a particular affection for women with power tools. What woman doesn't look better behind a power saw or with a nail gun in hand?

:)

Read this book and you will be happier just because you know that God loves everyone and sent his only begotten son to redeem us and it all started at that first Christmas with the first gift of Christmas:  a child. And that God watches over our soldiers in the busy moments when we forget them... or we're sleeping... or we're having fun while they man the night watch in desert sands or jungle trenches...

I love honoring our military and this sweet book does just that. Deservedly!

Sweet deal, all around.

Now here's our writing deal for today:  Do you love Christmas stories?
   
Yes.  
No.  
Check one...

And if you DO... have you written one? Why or why not?

And since I'm working on another one for 2012 RIGHT NOW... Oh my stars, let me just say that, yes. I love Christmas stories because I think angels hover just a little closer to God's green Earth at Christmastime.

Coffee, eggnog and Christmas goodies inside! Meet you there!  And feel free to come with "bells on", LOL!