Friday, October 31, 2014

CHRISTMAS TREASURES: A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES




The short story anthology, CHRISTMAS TREASURES: A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES, is shaping up nicely. The details for both the e-version and print version will be shared shortly, as well as the book cover. Exciting! And to add to the excitement, check out the BookGiveaway offer below. Ho Ho Ho.

I thought if would be interesting to ask my co-authors an interview question every Friday leading up to the release of the book. This Friday's questions is:

What do you hope your reader will be blessed with upon reading your story?

My (Elaine Stock) story, THE FOREVER CHRISTMAS GIFT, wraps around the themes of peace and hope when an unexpected friendship develops between a young adult woman, who has just about given up on these feelings, and an older man, who has grown accustomed to loneliness. They learn that peace and hope can bring joy, and that is what I hope my readers will be blessed with upon reading this story. http://elainestock.com

Patty Wysong: Sometimes we get so caught up in how we think God should work in our lives that we forget He’s not tied down to working in normal or traditional ways. There are times when how He chooses to accomplish His will makes us think a mistake has been made or we wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into. In my story, A HUSBAND FOR CHRISTMAS, Cassie’s meant-as-a-joke comment to her father unleashes more than she knows. As a result, she gets to see God work in a totally unexpected way and it more than she ever dared to hope for. It’s a reminder to me to let God work, even if…especially if it’s in ways that I would never think up on my own.  www.pattywysong.com

Anne Garboczi Evans: My story, I HATE CHRISTMAS, is a tale to make people laugh and smile. Amid the stress of the holidays, I hope the story allows readers to lose themselves in a story for a moment. Stress is bad! Reading is good!! http://annegarboczievans.blogspot.com/

Susan F. Craft: I hope to show that in my story, HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARRAH (intentional spelling), God doesn’t want for us to fear for anything. He is the God of the large and the small – even to a lowly sparrow. If God is concerned about the tiny sparrow and notes its fate, how much greater must His concern be for man.

In Matt. 10:29-31, Jesus talks about sparrows that were so insignificant that if you bought four of them, the seller would throw in one more for free.

In her beautiful song, “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” Civilla Martin says it best. “Why should I feel discouraged? … When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches over me.” http://historicalfictionalightintime.blogspot.com

Joanne Sher: At Christmastime, we think about the gifts and the baby in the manger - I hope, after reading my story WITH HER OWN EYES, folks will rediscover the wonder of some of the first people outside His family to see the baby Jesus - those who had been waiting for Him all their lives. www.joannesher.com

Linda S. Glaz: I want my readers to never give up hope. In PART-TIME JOB, a Santa style story, it seems like I'm putzing with miracles, but isn't hope a miracle? Our faith keeps us moving forward no matter how difficult our circumstances. We just keep hoping! http://lindaglaz.blogspot.com/

Karen Wingate: I hope my story, THE CHRISTMAS GIFT, will be a reminder that even when Christmas doesn’t meet our expectations, it can still be a wonderful Christmas; in fact, it is when everything else seems bad that we learn to focus on Christ and the blessings He has waiting for us. www.graceonparade.com/blog

Christina Rich: In my story, A CHRISTMAS FOR MADDIE, I hope my readers will be blessed by my characters' heart posture, their willingness to go the extra mile to bring joy to others. http://threefoldstrand.com

Karla Akins: I hope my readers will enjoy a giggle in BANKING ON CHRISTMAS. Christmas can be stressful for some folks, and laughter is good medicine. http://karlaakins.com

April Strauch:  There are bright spots even in the darkest times. God never stops surprising us. Especially at Christmas, and that’s what I hope my readers are blessed by in my story, LOVE IS THE KEY.

Kathleen Rouser: Life isn’t easy. Sometimes we are put in unique situations, which are out of our comfort zone, but the Lord uses those very things to stretch and grow us. Also in my story, SPECIAL ASSINGMENT, I would like readers to see that God is at work in mysterious ways that we can’t always see—whether through other people . . . or angels. www.kathleenrouser.com


BookGiveaway:
Readers, when you read a Christmas story, what do you wish as a take-away value? One randomly chosen commenter will receive, upon release, an e-version of CHRISTMAS TREASURES: A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES. Please leave your contact information within your comment.We're looking forward to hearing from you ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤  

Tweet These:
Interview with the authors of Christmas Treasures: A Collection Of Short Stories. #BookGiveaway (Tweet This)

Readers: Share what you enjoy the most in Christmas stories. #BookGiveaway (Tweet This)




17 comments:

  1. I want to feel like a child on Christmas morning when I'm done. Full of awe and delight.

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    1. Diana, you made me smile. And may every story you read this Christmas season make you feel forever young and hopeful.

      Thanks for visiting.

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  2. I want to feel the joy of the season and true meaning of what it is all about. This sounds like a wonderful collection of stories - some by authors I am already read and love. Thanks again for the chance to win a copy of a wonderful sounding read.

    Ann Ellison
    abilene_nana@yahoo.com

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    1. Ann, I know you will enjoy these uplifting stories. We've really tapped into our hearts to write them… can't wait until the collection is out for sell.

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  3. What I wish for take-aways in Christmas stories depends on the type of story I'm reading, but generally, I want to be drawn closer to the Christ of Christmas while I'm entertained. I expect happy endings. Thanks for entering me in the drawing, Elaine. If I win, please contact me through my website. http://www.derindababcock.com/contact/

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    1. I agree, Derinda. The history of story-telling focuses on entertaining, but Christ used stories Himself to bring us closer to our Father. And that's what Christmas is all about!

      The winner will be announced next Friday.

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  4. I love reading about holiday romance! The Christmas season makes the setting more magical.

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. Heidi, thanks for visiting. I think one of the most wonderful things about the holidays--aside from God and His love for us, of course!--is that when we focus on the Christmas cheer of love, good company, food, music, and even the giving of a gift to another, we push aside the cold of the season and other pressing earthly demands, making it a most magical season indeed.

      The winner of this book Giveaway will be announced next Friday.

      Hope to see you again.

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  5. I'm a sucker for Christmas stories! I love them, I give them, I buy them, I devour them!! :o) ane [at] anemulligan [dot] com

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    1. Then do we have a bunch of awesome stories for you, Ane :) Thanks so much for visiting today… always appreciate your visits.

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  6. Christmas is the greatest love story written to us by God's greatest Gift--His Son. I love to read Christmas stories and watch Christmas movies that reflect aspects of God's love--with a lot of romance thrown in. And I want happy endings! Your collection of Christmas stories sounds intriguing.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, AnnaLee. I think we all want happy endings--and that's indeed what Christmas is all about.

      Sorry for the confusion about posting your comment. I have it set on Comment Modification so I scan all incoming comments first before posting them.

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  7. Thanks for putting these all together, Elaine.I look forward to the
    release of all our stories. :)

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    1. Oh, you're welcome, but it's all of us working together. I am so eager for the big news from our fearless anthology editor, Patty… and from the looks of it, so are many others. Thanks be to God.

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  8. Looking forward to reading this! My favorite thing about Christmas stories is that everyone has a forgiving heart and the love that is shared among family and friends.

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    1. I'm so glad you visited, my new Twitter friend!

      Good cheer definitely makes more good cheer, and warms the heart. You're so right.

      Hope to see you again.

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  9. Thank you to all the viewers and commenters who have expressed excitement over this upcoming Christmas anthology. You are definitely helping to ignite holiday cheer. And thanks to my fellow co-authors who have contributed to the anthology and to this interview.

    The winner of the e-book of CHRISTMAS TREASURES: A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES is AnnaLee. I will be contacting you via direct email.

    Blessings to all.

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