Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop

Welcome to The Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop.  This hop runs from December 27th to 31st and features the Best Books of 2011!

100 Blogs are each hosting a giveaway for their favorite reads of 2011.

I have read 35 books this year...so far. I still have a couple of days left and I think I'll be able to fit one more in before bringing in the new year. It was a tough choice, but I did select my all time favorite read for 2011.

 

I am giving away a copy of:

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 

by Richard Paul Evans

To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey seems like an ordinary 14-year-old. But Michael is anything but ordinary. He was born with special electrical powers. 

When Michael’s best friends, Ostin Liss and cheerleader Taylor Ridley, make an accidental discovery, the trio learns that there are other children with electric powers–and that someone, or some thing, is hunting them. After Michael’s mother is kidnapped, Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers and friends to combat the powerful Elgen and free his mother.

Awesomeness! This book sucked me in right from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. Of course I like YA adventures and this book had plenty. A clean read and fascinating characters, this book kept me turning pages. I would recommend it to all ages. My 15 year old son couldn't get enough of it when he started reading it. He recommended it to all of his friends and even to his bus driver. My parents (in their 60's) bought the audio version. Their reaction: 

Dad: "This is kind of scary."

Mom: "Do you want me to turn it off? We can listen to something else."

Dad: "No. Put in the next cd."

Hmmmm. I wouldn't describe it as "scary". Definitely intense in certain scenes, but not "scary." But my parents enjoyed it, and even bought a copy for my 19 year old nephew who blew through it in 2 days.

 To enter to win this book:

      1. Become a follower of my blog
      2. Leave a comment telling me that you are a follower and include your email address (This will only be used to contact you if you are the winner).  

          Additional entries: Want an extra chance to win? Just Tweet or Facebook about my giveaway and let me know in the comments about what you've done.

That's it! The winner will be posted and notified at the end of the hop.

Below is a long list of other blogs participating in this hop. Just click the links and go check out the books being given away.

Book Giveaway Winner

Hallelujah!!!!! We have a winner!

And our winner is.....(Drum Roll.....)

Runaway Bridal Planner, Kristy Wilson!

  http://runawaybridalplanner.blogspot.com/ 

Congratulations Kristy! 

And just in time for Christmas. 

The prize, A Christmas to Remember, is a fabulous collection of short stories by 14 Covenant authors. Thank you to all who entered to win this book. I wish I had enough to give to everyone who entered; the stories are so touching and fun to read. 

For those of you who want to buy a copy, I just received an email from Covenant that said that they are sold out of the printing, but there are still some copies available in some stores.

Winner chosen by Random.org

So Christmas is just around the corner and I've been inundated with the Christmas spirit. Christmas activities will do that to you. My oldest daughter was in the community play which meant that we attended The Best Christmas Pageant Ever-- 5 times.

My son is in the high school band so we went to the Christmas Light Parade--twice, and the band concert. 

Our oldest daughter is in the choir, so we attended that Christmas performance as well. Our youngest daughter is in the Musical Majors which required my attendance at 6 traveling Christmas performances, and 2 school performances. And my brother-in-law sang a solo in Handle's Messiah. I've heard him sing--a lot. But I've never heard him sing like he did that night. It was amazing. 

I love the Halleluiah chorus. It's such an amazing feeling to see everyone in the audience stand for that part of the program. So for your Christmas enjoyment, I found this video on YouTube. This little village in Alaska really has it going on when it comes to Christmas spirit. 

Check it out! It's well worth your time. 

Hallelujah!!!! 
Merry Christmas!