All the posting I’ve done recently about contests makes me want to do a giveaway myself. I wanted to do one where I could hear everyone’s stories, and make it tie to the good feelings of the holiday season. The recent kindness of a friend helped me determine exactly what to do.
Maria Grazia Swan is an author with an absolutely beautiful soul. I recently needed “almost immediate” copy editing for a writing project. Despite the fact that she’s just as busy (if not more) than the rest of us this time of year, Maria stepped up in my hour of need. She not only noted specific problems, but found someone in Belgium to quickly review and vet the revision.
Besides being a wonderful friend, Maria is a fabulous author. Her recent release Gemini Moon is the first in a new series featuring Lella York. This is a wonderful suspense ride that starts in Italy, then takes us to Lella’s home in Southern California. The descriptions are marvelous, the characters believable, and you’ll feel you’re right there looking over Lella’s shoulder.
And you can be there if you win! I’m giving away two print copies of Gemini Moon. One here, and one on my FB page at https://www.facebook.com/ritter.ames. All you have to do to enter is tell of a time, recently or in the past, when someone did something especially nice for you. It can be a huge thing or small, but it was something meaningful to you and your situation. I’m not looking to embarrass anyone, so you can keep the details sketchy and use only first name(s) of your benefactor(s)–or no names at all. I simply want to give everyone a chance to spread joy and get the opportunity to win a terrific novel at the same time.
The contest will run from today until noon PST on Sunday, December 22, 2013. I’ll post the two winners’ names here and on my Facebook page Sunday afternoon. All you have to do is post your story in the comments section of this blog.
And yes, you can enter here and on my Facebook page to have an even better chance of winning! Just leave an FB comment telling your story there, too.
I want to thank the people who made the effort to visit me while I was ill this year. It cheered me up immensely!
Robin, I’m so glad you had such good people in your life, to be there when you needed them. I hope you’re doing well now.
My husband and I are going through some very tough times right now. The other day, he decided we could spare a few bucks to eat out so we went to Steak ‘n Shake for their $3.99 meals. Well, once inside, we ran into my BFF and her husband whom we haven’t seen for a while. We talked a bit, then ordered. They left shortly thereafter. A few minutes later, the manager brings us a note and tells us that our bill had been paid!! The note read: “Merry Christmas! We love you both!” As you can imagine it was an awesome surprise and gave us some much need cheer! 🙂
These kinds of stories are so heartwarming, Diana. Your friends sound awesome!
They are amazing! We’ve been friends for over 20 years and have been through a lot together… 🙂
I have several I’ve known that long too. Just wouldn’t trade ’em. 🙂
My tv decided to die a couple days ago even though I just got it this summer. Both my brother and I are out of work, but he decided to buy me a new one for xmas anyway.
That’s one great brother, Brandy. I’m thinking the Super Bowl party needs to be at your house this year 🙂 Thanks for posting.
I have a good circle of friends/ family and we are always exchanging ‘good deeds’ with each other so I can’t think of a particular occasion that was more special. But on a financial front, I was a home childcare provider for several years, and I hadn’t taken a vacation a couple of those years even though in my contracts, I stated I get one week PAID vacation. Well, one of those years one of my daycare families gave me a check for a week’s worth of services (x2 since they had two kids in my care.) Told me I deserved it even if I didn’t take the time off! Of course this family had always treated me very nicely and always made a point of letting me know they appreciated me and what I did with their children. =) Those kids are now in High School and soon college and they are still showing it!
Wow! Teach them early, right? I love stories like this–not just for the random act of kindness element, but because it shows real hope for the next generation.
We were visiting my sister & her husband. The four of us had gone out to dinner, and an anonymous person paid for our meal. Hubby had worn his VietNam hat & the note was ‘Thank You for your service’. Made MY day!
I love when people show their appreciation that way, Donna. Thanks so much for sharing this story. 🙂
A small but lovely thing. I was recovering from spine surgery a few years ago, and going up and down the stairs in my building was difficult. Whenever I got ready to go downstairs, I would put a tied bag of refuse outside my apartment door to take it down with me. Sometimes it disappeared before I got myself organized to leave–it was my neighbor, who took my garbage out for me. Just because. I recently had a chance to return the favor–in a way–when another neighbor in the building was on crutches. It is the small things that make life rich with empathy.
Yes, it is the smallest things that can bring such a huge sigh of relief to our day, isn’t it? Lovely story. Thank you, Naama, for both the story and for helping your neighbor in the same way.
Okay! I’m late announcing a winner because an ice storm has wreaked havoc with the power in my area, but I’m here now–and all the names are in a hat. The winner is Naama Yehuda!
Congratulations to Naama and to everyone for the wonderful stories you’ve all told. I’ve really appreciated your sharing them.
Naama, if you will send me an email at ritterames@gmail.com with an address to mail the book to you, I’ll get Amazon to send it your way!
Again, thanks everyone. I plan to have more contests in the future, so keep an eye on this blog 🙂
Write more, thats aall I have to say. Literally,
it seems as though you relied on the video to ake your point.
You obviously know what youre ttalking about, whyy waste your intelligence on jist popsting videos
to your blog when you could be givijg us something enlightening
to read?
I did not post a video. Sorry. I think you may have accidentally commented on the wrong blog. But thanks so much for stopping by 🙂