Southern Sassy Things

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Birthday Bash Day 3 with Special Guest Ginger Garrett!

Y'all, this has just been the greatest week ever, and we're only at the halfway point!!! If I haven't personally thanked you yet in the comment section, let me take this moment to let everyone know how much I have appreciated all the birthday wishes and comments. :o) Yesterday was indeed a wonderful birthday, and from now on, I'm convinced that I will forever be "29." My new boss took me out for a wonderful lunch today, and my husband and I spent the evening with my family at one of my favorite Italian restaurants. And even better...I actually did get to eat a *real* slice of coconut cake. :o)

But now, time for today's special guest--Ginger Garrett!!

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If you could choose one place in the whole world to visit for your birthday, where would you want to go and why?

Texas! My birth place and favorite place on earth. I'd visit the Alamo and say hello to the picture of James Garrett, a martyr who died there. We claim him as part of our family, but I don't know how certain that is.

My husband has been to Texas a couple of times, and the farthest I've ever been inside the state is Texarkana (doesn't really count, in my opinion). :o( I really would like to actually visit someday!

Do you have any special memories of the year you turned 30?

I had been told I would never have children, and had lost a pregnancy after a car accident. I was heartsick beyond repair. But my husband invited all my friends and family over for a birthday party, and I looked around the room, seeing all these smiling faces. It healed me. I was loved. And for that night, it was enough.

Sounds like you have a keeper of a hubby. :o)

If you could only give one book to me for my birthday (not including your own), what book would I find underneath the wrapping paper?

Beowolf in hard cover. I named my beloved Bearded Collie after Grendel, so it's a story I will always cherish. Nothing ever made me giggle more than waiting in the vet's office, and having a technician call out, "Grendel's mother? Come this way please..." If you know the story, you know that she was the most horrid, ugliest monster in all the world!

And the most important question of all. What's your favorite flavor of birthday cake? :o)

German Chocolate!!

Oooo, that's one of my favorites! I could eat the icing alone by the spoonful!

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Well, I hope all of y'all grabbed your slice of German Chocolate cake today! I know I did! And while you eat it, take a look at today's present--a copy of Ginger's latest book, Desired. :o)

First of all, isn't that cover just gorgeous?! And secondly, if you haven't had the chance to read this vivid retelling of Samson and Delilah, then I hope you'll sign up for today's giveaway. Just like the previous two days, simply fill out the form below to be entered in the drawing. Contest is open until Sunday, December 4th, and winner will be announced Monday, December 5th. US addresses only, please.

Also, if you missed Monday or Tuesday's post, click here for Monday's visit with Vickie McDonough plus a giveaway of her newest book, and here for Tuesday's post for a chance to win a pack of three books!!

Thanks for stopping by again today! I hope you've been having a blast with all this fun this week!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Birthday Bash Day 2 with Giveaways Galore!

Thank you so much for stopping by for Day 2 of my Birthday Bash!

And ya know what...

...today is my birthday! The big 3-0!

Of course, we're going to have cake today, too, so grab a glass of milk, a cake plate, and put that fork in my most favorite flavor--yummy, delicious coconut cake! I have loved coconut cake since I was a kid, mostly because of my fond memories of making them every summer with my grandma. I would spend anywhere from 1 week to 4 weeks with her every year, and we would make a coconut cake at least once, usually in time for Sunday lunch with my parents when they came to pick me up until the next visit. Those cakes were sooooo moist that when she divided up the leftovers, she basically had to spoon it into a container! (Then I had to "fight" with my dad to get as much as I could in the days that followed!)

So, enjoy that virtual, melt-in-your-mouth coconut cake today! What I wouldn't give to have my grandma here so we could make the real thing. :o)

Now, while you're here, let's celebrate because I've got LOADS of books to giveaway! I can't keep all these books, and I need to share the book love. No doubt about it, there's sure to be something down there that'll strike your fancy.

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PACK ONE

House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson

False Witness by Randy Singer - ARC

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

PACK TWO

Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love

PACK THREE

Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes

Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer

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There you have it! Three different packs, and LOTS of great books!

Enter to win one pack...enter to win them all! Simply fill out the form below to be entered in the drawing. :o) Contest is open until Sunday, December 4th, and winner will be announced Monday, December 5th. US addresses only, please.

And if you missed out on yesterday's present, click here to be taken to a fun interview with historical author, Vickie McDonough, and a chance to win her newest book, Lone Star Trail.

Oh, and don't forget your cake! :o)

Monday, November 28, 2011

Birthday Bash Day 1 with Special Guest Vickie McDonough!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog this week for my Birthday Bash!

Ya know, I need something to get my mind off of my big 3-0 birthday this week, and what better way than to have a party with some of my favorite authors. But this isn't your typical birthday party...nope. Why's that? Because all of the presents are being given away to all my friends!! It doesn't get much more fun than that. :o) So, pull up a chair this week, enjoy some brief chats with some great CF authors, and grab a piece of cake...there'll be a different flavor every day. :o)

Now, for today's special guest...Vickie McDonough!

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If you could choose one place in the whole world to visit for your birthday, where would you want to go and why?

We have ancestors from Ireland, and I've always wanted to visit there.

Do you have any special memories of the year you turned 30?

I was the frazzled mom of 3 boys, all under 8 years old then. That was back in our days when all the boys played soccer. I remember one day when it was very cold out, and my dad and I had parked the car almost behind the goal box where my third son was playing. He was just five then. I remember one of his team mates racing toward toward the goal, but the goalie caught the ball. Then the goalie lobbed the ball over his head, and Eric was standing just a few feet away. I was afraid Eric was going to get hit in the face, but just as the ball got to him, he bent forward. The ball hit the top of his head, bounced off, and into the net. Dad and I both yelled. That was only one of the few goals Eric ever made, but it sure was a memorable one.

If you could only give one book to me for my birthday (not including your own), what book would I find underneath the wrapping paper?

You're asking a book lover to choose only one book? That's so hard. One of the best books I've read in a while was A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer. The interaction between the hero and hero was fantastic!

That one's been sitting in my TBR for awhile now, so it's great to hear a good recommendation for it. *smile*

And now for the most important question of all... What’s your favorite flavor of birthday cake? :o)

Would you believe my family doesn't do birthday cakes? We do birthday pies--and my favorite is French Silk. But if you twist my arm and make me choose a cake flavor, my favorite is plain, ole vanilla or else carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

The horrors of not doing birthday cake?! Haha...just kidding. :o) I'd take a slice of French Silk pie any day, too...although vanilla cake and carrot cake would do in a pinch.

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Now, for today's present!

There's one copy of Vickie's latest book, Long Trail Home, up for grabs. Simply fill out the form below to be entered in the drawing. :o) Contest is open until Sunday, December 4th, and winner will be announced Monday, December 5th. US addresses only, please.