Casa For The Holidays Virtual Tour and Giveaway from Sourcebooks

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Casa For The Holidays Virtual Tour and Giveaway from Sourcebooks

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Sourcebooks is celebrating the upcoming holiday season with an early gift for one lucky reader at The Reading Cafe. Read about each of the author’s favorite Christmas Story and then tell us what is your favorite holiday read. ONE lucky commenter will win ALL 4 new release holiday books from Sourcebooks. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

Carolyn Brown Xmas

Carolyn Brown’s Favorite Christmas Books:

Holiday books are such fun and always put me in the spirit. My all-time favorite Christmas book has always been ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The pictures and the rhyme speak volumes to my imagination. I can feel the cold outside and hear the jingle of the bells. I can even see Rudolph’s red nose. In my Christmas romance novel, The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby, Henry loves to read to Baby Joshua. Maybe Henry is just using the excuse to reread them to the baby, like I do when I read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to my grandchildren. One of Henry’s favorite Christmas books is Baby Jesus is Born and he is convinced that Joshua understands every single word.

My favorite Christmas book lately has been Grace Burrowes Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish but it could take a back seat to her newest one, Lady Jenny’s Christmas Portrait which I’ve promised to buy myself for the holidays.

A quick story here: I used to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to our children during the season so Husband wrote his version of the poem when they weren’t very old. It became a tradition for him to read it to the children and later to all the grandchildren on Christmas Eve at our house when they gathered to open presents. I won’t quote the whole thing but it starts out: ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except a flea and a louse.

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Grace Burrowes Xmas

Grace Burrowes’ Favorite Christmas Books:

I love O’Henry’s “Gift of the Magi,” a short story supposedly written in about two hours flat. The penniless young husband and wife long to give each other the best possible holiday gift, even in their straitened circumstances. The husband sells his heirloom watch to buy his wife decorative combs for her beautiful hair; the wife sells her hair to buy her husband a gold chain to go with his prized heirloom watch.

The punch line of the story is that, in the Christian tradition, love was the gift of significance on the first Christmas, and love remains the essence of the holiday when it’s properly celebrated.

Sigh.

I don’t find that message reflected in too many longer works of fiction, so I’ll have to wiggle away from the notion of Christmas books, and say instead that “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is one of my favorite stories. When Linus comes out on that empty stage, makes his little speech, and uses his beloved blankie to begin the transformation of the bedraggled Christmas tree, I just tear up.

Every. Time.

Because the other aspect of Christmas that should be part of its proper celebration is togetherness. Love wants sharing, whether it’s love in the form of voices raised in song, a shared batch of cookies, two friends watching “It’s A Wonderful Life,” or a skating party that will end with an empty bowl of wassail.

And I do love “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I may not watch it each year, but when I do catch that story, I’m always heartened by it. Same with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Garfield’s Christmas,” and “Rudolph” (all together now: “Bumble’s bounce!!!”).

How fortunate we are, to have so many Christmas stories, all of them cheering, and all of them about the enduring power of love, and the pleasure of celebrating that power with friends, family, and the entire world.

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Terry Spear Xmas

Terry Spear’s Favorite Christmas Books:

Some of my favorite holiday books include The Snowman (watched the video with my married daughter last time I visited in the spring—it’s just special), The Polar Express, A Christmas Carol, Gift of the Magi, and The Elves and the Shoemaker… Notice they’re all Christmas stories suitable for children? I’m a kid at heart.

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Juliana Stone XmasJuliana Stone’s Favorite Christmas Books:


I have a confession to make to you all—I don’t read a lot of Christmas books. And Ever since I bawled for hours watching The Christmas Shoes, I don’t watch many Christmas movies either.

But, there are some books that always remind me of Christmas, Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I loved all the books and of course watched the television series ( I had a huge crush on Michael Landon) but that first one, where they spent the winter in the big woods and had Christmas is special.

Another is Little Women. Both of these books are timeless classics and speak of a simpler time. For me, that is the real spirit of Christmas and sadly, sometimes that spirit is lost. I think that’s why—for me—Christmas is my favorite holiday. I keep it simple. It’s about family and that’s not always about blood either—a lot of my friends are as close to me as if they were family, and I love spending time with them!

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giveaway

To enter to win a prize pack of all 4 of these Christmas authors’ novels, tell us in the comments the books you love to read during the holidays!! This contest is open internationally.

Sourcebooks Xmas Giveaway

1.  Please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins

2.  If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with the comment.

3.  Tell us in the comments, which book(s) you love to read during the holidays.

4.   Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

5.  Giveaway runs from October 29 to December 10, 2013

blog tour schedule

FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE “CASA FOR THE HOLIDAYS” VIRTUAL TOUR!

October-December 2013

Fun Holiday-Themed Posts from Carolyn, Grace, Terry and Juliana,

And Chances to WIN Books at Each Stop!

 

October
Oct. 8 Booked and Loaded http://bookedandloaded.com/
Oct. 16 Ramblings From This Chick http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/
Oct. 23 Debbie’s Book Bag http://debsbookbag.blogspot.com/
Oct. 29 The Reading Café http://www.thereadingcafe.com/

November

Nov. 4 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/
Nov. 6 Smexy Books http://smexybooks.com/
Nov. 12 Cocktails and Books http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/
Nov. 14 The Bookish Babe http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.com/
Nov. 20 Night Owl Reviews http://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Blog
Nov. 22 Fresh Fiction http://freshfiction.com/pages.php?id=blog

December

Dec. 4 USA Today HEA http://www.usatoday.com/blog/happyeverafter/
Dec. 5 Under the Covers http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/
Dec. 10 Romancing the Book http://romancing-the-book.com/
Dec. 11 Anna’s Book Blog http://annavivian.blogspot.com/
Dec. 16 What’s on the Bookshelf http://whatsonthebookshelf-jen.blogspot.com/
Dec. 17 That’s What I’m Talking About http://twimom227.com/

 

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98 thoughts on “Casa For The Holidays Virtual Tour and Giveaway from Sourcebooks”

  3. I love Christmas books. Please enter me in this wonderful giveaway. I have read all kinds of holiday stories, romance, mysteries, cat or dog books. Always fun to read.

  5. I love any kind of Christmas book, but I’m partial to those hunky cowboys! Thanks for the great giveaway! Love Carolyn Brown and Juliana Stone, also love meeting new authors!
    zipstetsclue04 at gmail dot com

  9. I love Christmas and any kind of Holiday story. I especially love stories about families and them celebrating the holidays together. I also like when animals and Xmas stories are put together. I am a big fan of all the ladies and especially love Juliana Stone & Carolyn Brown.
    christinebails at yahoo dot com

  10. I read Christmas books year round. I have read each of the authors and have enjoyed them all. If I have to pick just one I would choose “Lady Jenny’s Christmas Portrait”. “Christmas Loved Her” is an interesting title and draws me in. Terry Spears and Carolyn Brown are definitely must reads. Thank you for this opportunity!

  18. I was first introduced to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson when my children were little. I was entranced with it. They were entranced with it. We always cried, we always laughed, and we always felt such terrific Christmas joy when we finished it. Now I read it to my grandchildren and they love it too. It is a Christmas staple in our household! For myself, personally, I love to read Christmas romances starting in November and going all the way through to mid-January. I covet this seasonal reading time for myself. jdh2690@gmail.com

  19. Our family loves the Christmas season. I love to find new holiday books to read starting at the end of October through Christmas. That being said, one of our favorite Christmas movies is The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum and of course. The Grinch. Reading Twas the Night Before Christmas; The Polar Express; The Gift of the Magi and the list could go on forever. Thanks for the great contest. hkmd7@aol.com

  24. I love Christmas stories. My favorites are the Christmas scene in Little House in the Big Woods and the Christmas scene in Little Women. My favorite Christmas story is by Truman Capote about his childhood friendship with a kind relative with a low IQ.

  26. I’m loving these comments…they are making me think about making cookies and candy and curling up with a good Christmas romance…oh, I’ve got one saved back especially for this time of year. When I finish writing the next chapter I think I’ll have some fresh baked pecan sandies and read a while! Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and commented…we love company!

  27. Great giveaway. I love all the Christmas stories and re-watch all the Christmas shows every year. One of my favorites is a Christmas Story I was raised in that era and it so takes me back. A couple of the Christmas stories I reread are a Twilight Before Christmas and Dark Celebration. I also love and plan to reread Celebration Of Light in the Elven Chronicles. They may be elves bur they pick up the Christmas spirit of giving and loving and being together with such joy it is fun to read as they are copying our Christmas tradition and made it their own.

  29. I love the Christmas novels that come out each year. It’s especially nice when they’re published by early November as I feel they truly put me in the mood for the holidays. Of course, I read regency, victorian and contemporary romance novels; chick lit; biographies and non-fiction. Reading is my passion and I always review the books I read and post the review on Goodreads, Amazon and our blog, bookworm2bookworm! Three cheers for gearing up for the holidays! Think Christmas!

  31. Last year I had a Christmas book marathon. It was awesome. For several weeks, all I read was Christmas themed books. I have several waiting on my shelf for this year… can’t wait… and I could always use a few more 😉 Some good books on this list.

  32. When the kids were younger it was Twas the Night Before Christmas and Polar Express. Movies like Charlie Brown Christmas. I just read Susan Mallery’s Christmas on 4th Street and loved it as well as Marin Thomas’s Twins Under the Christmas Tree. The warm fuzzy family type with romance are great…but I still love Charlie Brown always…would love to win, thanks. Email address incase you need it…lsscarchuk@att.net

  33. I love reading holiday books when I can find them and have them ahead of time. I usually start reading them after Halloween. I love all these authors so this is a fantastic chance at some great holiday reads.

    catslady5(at)aol.com

  34. Thanks for the awesome giveaway…. I am an avid reader and love several genres and authors … Paranormals are my favorite genre….for Christmas,I love holiday stories,they are my feel good stories for the year since my family is out of state…..Terry Spear is one of my all time faves when it comes to Paranormal,but I love the contemporary stories just as much… This set would definitely make my holiday complete…. Thank you for the opportunity……

  37. A Cajun Night Before Christmas is one I read every year (even though my kids are teenagers) they think the “cajun” accent I grew up with is hilarious and always gets us talking about goofy traditions from my family. Other than that I love Christmas anthologies and definitely Christmas novellas for the many authors’s series that I love but no one sticks out – I love them all..

  40. I love to catch up on all sorts of reading during the holidays! There is something about sitting near a brightly lit, pine-scented Christmas tree that fills me with Joy. A yearly holiday tradition is reading the Christmas Story. I also love catching up on my to-read list including Sabrina’s Jeffries Twas the Night Before Christmas. I love Christmas romances … reminds me of the magic of the holidays!

    azacia (at) gmail. com

  42. This will sound weired bu I don’t like to read new books, I love re-reading my favorites[Guild Hunters series by Nalini Singh, Immortals after Dark by Kresley Cole, Eloisa James, Kate Daniels by ilona Andrews]. I like knowing nothing I read will disappoint me or make me want to throw the book/e-reader through the window 😀

    alinutza4u2004[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk

  44. I love watching all the fun holiday movies out there and I always enjoy reading stories that take place around Christmas, (I don’t watch the ones that make me cry). I even love watching all the holiday cartoons. The Polar Express is a great movie and Jack Frost with Michael Keaton. Thanks for sharing your favorite holiday stories. evamillien at gmail dot com

  45. Ms. Stone, you’re killing me with your reaction to The Christmas Shoes!!!! I am SO intrigued; going to go research as soon as I log off. 😀

    This is an awesome giveaway package, ladies!!!

    I’ve got to say I’m not a big Christmas-themed book reader, although I did review that one with a vampire last year, remember TRC? 😀 Um…Christmas MOVIES are a different story, however: Nightmare Before Christmas, The Grinch (Boris Karloff AND Jim Carrey’s versions), A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph, The Year Without a Santa Clause (Heatmeiser!!!)… 😉

  47. I don’t have a specific book(s) that I read during this favorite season of mine. I love to read holiday themed books of all genres, year round! Same goes with Christmas themed movies 🙂 My 18 yr old daughter recently told me that Halloween is her time to watch scary movies and Christmas is my time to watch holiday movies. I know how to compromise 😉
    Amazing giveaway Ladies! Thank you so much.

  48. I love reading at least one Christmas story each Christmas season. Last year’s was Sabrina Jeffries’ Twas the Night After Christmas….great story!

    Thanks for the chance.
    suegaluska (at) yahoo (dot) com

  49. I don’t really have any specific books that I read during the holidays as they are all about Christmas. Sorry but I don’t celebrate it! I celebrate Hannukah. I would love to see that in a story! I do read xmas stories though, just not the ones that are very religious, lol! 🙂

  50. I don’t have a specific book that I read during the holidays but I do have a fondness for reading Christmas stories around Christmas. Or really anytime I’m in the mood for a nice Christmas romance. 🙂
    Thank you very much for this giveaway opportunity!

    Pam
    vanillaorchids69(at)gmail(dot)com

  53. While “A Christmas Carol” is the classic I’d choose to re-read around the holidays, recent cozy mystery titles that come to mind are Cleo Coyle’s HOLIDAY BUZZ and HOLIDAY GRIND. I love a good cozy! kateivan (at) aol (dot) com

  54. I read mostly historical & contemporary romance, so those are the Christmas stories I am most likely to read. All of the above sound great!

  55. I love watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” because they tell WHY we are celebrating Christmas. I also loved readning “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Loretta Swit played the mom’s part in the TV movie. Very cute…and again, the real meaning behind Christmas. Thanks for the opportunity to win these lovely books!

  57. I enjoy this time of the year when we get some wonderful movies to watch. I also like reading a few romance with Christmas themes. Many of these are novellas, which is fun too.

  58. I don’t reread books, so I love to find new holiday stories to enjoy. I like anthologies, especially during the holidays when things are so hectic-it’s easy to enjoy the stories in the short time I have to read.

  59. I’ll read my fav books anytime. I canl read Christmas books in the summer and enjoy them just as much. So… give me a good paranormal, romance, historical, mystery, sci-fi or anything with Highlanders and I’ll read it! Thanks for the giveaway! I’m actually reading A Seal’s Wolf Christmas right now… just have about 30 pages to go. I’t’s so good!

    lindalou (at) cfl (dot) rr (dot) com.

  60. I love reading Christmas stories. But I find I cant really read them in the summer. Not much anyway. Well, not all the time. Oh, maybe when I turn the ac up full blast and set it to like 65. Then I can read a Christmas story in the summer. haha
    lisakhutson(at)cox{net}

  61. I love when my favorite authors bring together the heroes & heroines of their series for a Christmas special, like Dark Celebration. Every Christmas I read Olive the other reindeer to my daughter.

  67. I love all kinds of Christmas romance books but especially those set in a small town or the type that has total opposites in personality falling in love! Thanks for the neat giveaway!! =)

    luvbear65 (at) aol dot com

  70. I love Christmas stories. With the holidays coming, I look for those types of books this time of year. One of my all-time favorites has to be A Visit From St. Nicholas (Twas The Night Before Christmas). My husband and I used to read it to our children when they were little. It was part of Christmas Eve tradition as we prepared our children for bed before Santa’s visit. This is a great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win!!! brennanlindam@gmail.com

  71. I love to read just about any type of Christmas/Holiday book. I started reading basically HQ’s when I was a teenager and up to my mid 20’s. There were some others in the mix too but I loved HQ. I went from the basic sweet romance to the Suspense and Intrigues. They always have such an assortment of Christmas reads and I love it. Now I have added PNR and I love that so many PNR authors are writing books for the holidays.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win such fantastic books by fantastic authors.

    Deb
    mammy4423@yahoo.com

    • Oh yeah, one other thing. It was my mother who got me started with the holiday books. I have always loved the holiday spirit and my moms birthday was Christmas too!. I always bought her books for her birthday.

  73. Every Christmas I read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”…Two wonderful books from my childhood. This past Christmas I went a little nuts…I downloaded over a dozen Christmas-themed, historical romance novels to read during the month of December. I have already begun downloading a few for this year!

  74. OMGoodness! It was delightful to wake up this morning and see all your comments…just reading through them made me think of spiced cider and crackling fires and the grandkids all telling stories of past holidays. Thank each and every one of you!

  75. Christmas is my favorite time of year and I love holiday romances. I stock up on Christmas stories so I have enough to last into the new year. My favorite Christmas book I’d A Charlie Brown Christmas. I’ve read it every year as far back as I can remember.

  79. I don’t have any specific Christmas books that I enjoy reading. I just love all Christmas themed books and will read them all year long. I consider them a ‘comfort’ read and will pull one out when I feel the need. Thanks for the chance to win some more great sounding books.
    kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com

  83. I love Christmas stories & will read them in the summer when it is too hot. I love to read them just after Halloween to get me started on the Holliday sprit. So by the time all the Christmas parties start, I have kind of burned out on reading the stories (can anyone say vacation reads? LOL.) Yes, I’m a strange one, I am.

    As for fav, can’t think of one off the top of my head, but I’m big on family over anything else, esp at Christmas. So either historicals (simpler times), or family stories (any time period) always get my attention first for holiday themes. Mary Balogh and Linda Lael Miller are two authors who I’ve thought of just now who always turn out good stories in these areas. Not only are they good stories with strong family themes, but they are ones that I’ve re-read. Which says a lot considering just how many books I have & have in my TBR pile.

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    vickykerr(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

  85. During the holidays, I love to read holiday romance titles. There is something about being snug and cozy at home with all the wonderful decorations and a great romance in your hands, I love it! Thank you for the opportunity to win 🙂

  89. I don’t read many Christmas stories but I do see a lot of Christmas shows on television and just Grace Burrowes’I love watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas; Linus speach has me in tears too. I also loved to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”, ” Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and many others. I would like to enter this contest too.

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