{Bleeding Heart by Amber Stokes: COVER REVEAL + A GIVEAWAY!}

It's with great enthusiasm that I present the cover of Bleeding Heart by Amber Stokes!  I met Amber years ago in the blogging world at her blog Seasons of Humility.  Perhaps you've met her there as well!  I've always enjoyed her sweet, kind-hearted spirit, as well as her awesome book reviews and devotionals.  Last summer, she gave me the opportunity to be an early reader of the beginning of her upcoming novel, Bleeding Heart, and I jumped at the chance!  Let me say, it was amazing, and I was left wanting to read the entire novel.  Thankfully, I won't have to wait much longer . . . and neither will you!  Bleeding Heart is tentatively scheduled to be published in August 2013!  Please take a moment to find out more about the book, the author, and the book's cover designer.  And be sure not to miss the beautiful, themed giveaway!
 
About the Book:
Five bleeding hearts. One profound journey. Summer 1886

Sally Clay’s livelihood has been snatched away, but in its place arises an opportunity to escape from her sordid past and an unrelenting, unwanted suitor. Boarding a train with a heartsick rancher and an enigmatic miner, she leaves Virginia City behind and heads to Northern California, waiting for the chance to make right what went wrong three long years before.

But the road to revenge is far from smooth. Sally soon learns that the jagged pieces of a broken heart can far too easily wound the hearts of others – and hers isn’t the only heart that’s broken. Tragedy and fear dog her steps as she flees from the redwood forests to the high desert and back again. Will her bleeding heart ever find a way and a place to heal?

A desperate soiled dove. Three men who come to care for her. One man determined to claim her.

All on a journey that will show them what true love really involves.

Inspirational Historical Romance

The Book’s Blog:
In conjunction with the cover reveal, Amber’s doing a “blog reveal,” as well! You can find all the latest news about Bleeding Heart, along with book extras, at the Bleeding Heart blog.

About the Author:
Amber Stokes has a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a passion for the written word - from blogging to writing poetry, short stories, and novels. After her brief time at college in Oregon, she is now back home among the redwoods of Northern California, living life one day at a time and pursuing her passion via freelance editing and self-publishing her debut novel, Bleeding Heart. You can connect with Amber on her blog, Seasons of Humility.

About the Cover Designer:
Lena Goldfinch lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose of "sigh-worthy" romance. You can visit her online at www.lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com

Teaser from Bleeding Heart:
 
Prologue

Breaking hearts should be considered a crime. That would make Elizabeth Lawson an outlaw and Joe Clifton the victim. And that wasn’t a far stretch in Joe’s mind. She had rounded up his heart, branded her name across it when it should never have belonged to her, and then left him high and dry. Still, he was getting sick of hanging around the scene of the crime. He just didn’t know where else to go.
Lake Tahoe had once been his favorite get-away destination, a place where he could go to just sit back and enjoy the view of water as clear as a shined-up mirror. Now those crystal depths and the unmoving boulders along the water’s edge taunted him, bringing back memories of a happy proposal and a less-than-happy scene where his heart was handed back to him on a silver platter – bruised, broken, and bleeding.
He didn’t want to make any more memories like that. So he made a promise to himself: He would never let anyone break his heart again.

In addition to this amazing cover reveal and book preview, Amber is including a great giveaway!  Check out the beautiful prizes purchased from Cindy Lindgrin and Belle on a Budget!  Be sure to enter using the Rafflecopter form below!

Noted Cards designed by Cindy Lindgren

Teardrop Earrings designed by Belle on a Budget

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Christmas in July WINNER}

The winning number selected by Random.org was number 10!  Congratulations, Janet, you're the winner!  I'll be sending you an email soon, so check your in box!  Thanks to everyone who stopped by to enter!

{Christmas in July} Book GIVEAWAY!

Can you believe it's only 5 months until Christmas?  I thought it would be fun to have a little "Christmas in July" celebration  here at Sweet Treats & Inspiration . . . where the gifts are for YOU! 

The winner will receive THREE BOOKS FROM HEARTSONG PRESENTS!

A Girl Like That by Frances Devine (Historical)  HP #847

Katie can’t wait to get on stage.

Katie O’Shannon is excited to finally be in Chicago, working with her father in show business. And when she’s given the opportunity to perform on stage herself, she’s sure her dreams are coming true. But then God awakens her to the plight of the immigrants, and she realizes the spotlight may not bring her what she truly seeks.

Sam Nelson works diligently to make partner in his father’s law firm. He is thrilled to receive an important case. . .until he discovers the client may be using unethical means to win. Now Sam must decide what true justice is.

When Katie and Sam meet, sparks fly. But as Chicago ignites around them, will they turn to God for guidance or will their dreams—and love—burn to ashes?

 

“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Psalm 50:15

 A Wealth Beyond Riches by Vickie McDonough (Historical) HP #747

On Sasha Di Carlo's eighteenth birthday, her mother, a famous actress, abandons her for a new beau. So when Sasha discovers she has family in Indian Territory, she leaves the theater world behind. She travels west searching for family, a sense of belonging, and unconditional love. Jim Conners, former soldier and carpenter extraordinaire, finds himself wandering the West, also looking to define himself. Building a house for Dewey Hummingbird brings him satisfaction-until Sasha arrives, claiming to be Dewey's niece. Jim finds himself torn between protecting the old man's interests and growing attracted to this lovely young woman. When Dewey is threatened by unscrupulous men wanting his land, can Sasha and Jim work together, or will the deceptions surrounding them destroy their chance at love?

Cotton Candy Clouds by Janice Hanna (Contemporary) HP #845

Candy Carini has always had her head in the clouds, even while working in her family’s candy store. Now, at Newark’s Eastway Airlines, where she lands both a piloting job and a pilot, her dreams are finally coming true. When Eastway pilot Darren Furst meets Candy, he can’t help but think she could fill his empty home and arms. Then union troubles arises, and Darren finds himself caught between the woman he loves and his fellow pilots. Are his plans for their future now grounded? Or will Candy cotton to Darren—for better or worse?


Entry Instructions:

To be entered to win, please leave a comment with your email address -- if you don't leave your email address, I'll have to choose another winner. 

For an EXTRA ENTRY, be a follower of this blog, and leave a separate comment.  It's that easy!  Thanks for stopping by to enter!

Contest ends July 31, 2012 at 9:00 PM (PST).  Winner will be announced on August 1, 2012.

Prizes are in new condition, and provided by me.  Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited.  Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is drawn from a non-biased third party- Random.org.  I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Blogiversary WINNER!

The winner of the three book giveaway is Pam!  Congratulations Pam!  

 

Thank you to all of you who entered, showed your support, and are now following Sweet Treats & Inspiration!  And a BIG thank you to Julie Lessman for graciously offering two books for this giveaway, and for stopping by to visit and leave comments!  What a SWEET TREAT it has been to see such an awesome turn out for my one year blogging anniversary! 

Again, thank you all so very much!  Happy Reading and Sweet Blessings to all of you!

Happy 1 year Blogiversary + A Julie Lessman BOOK GIVEAWAY! {WIN 3 BOOKS!}

One year ago today, I made my first blog posts!  This is how it all got started . . .

I had been considering a blog of my own, but didn't think I really had too much to say, or offer, to the "world," but I thought I'd give it a try.  It was also about this time that Julie Lessman was running her "Post-a-Review" contest to have a character named after you in her then upcoming book, A Heart Revealed.

I had been posting reviews like crazy, and I was coming to the end of the line -- I was running out of places to post more reviews when I had a light bulb moment!  I could get four more entries if I had my own blog to post them to.  And that, my friends, is how Sweet Treats & Inspiration was born!

After posting reviews like there was no tomorrow, some of you may know that I came in second place to my friend, Casey Herringshaw, of Writing for Christ - The Audience of One.  I finished with a total of 169 reviews posted, and Casey finished with 240 reviews posted!  She's pretty amazing!  :)  You'll find both of our names in A Heart Revealed . . . which is pretty cool, to say the least!  If you'd like a chance to have YOUR NAME in Julie's next book, A Love Surrendered, just visit her contest link for all of the details.

If you want to read more about it on Julie Lessman's Journal Jots, you can visit her archives and search for the March 25, 2011 entry.  And it goes without saying, that if you haven't read Julie's books yet . . . you simply must!  Just be sure to start with A Passion Most Pure, which is book one in the Daughters of Boston series.  If you haven't read my reviews for these OUTSTANDING books, you can find them here . . . A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, A Passion Denied, A Hope Undaunted, and A Heart Revealed. 

 

And without further adieu, I'd like to present THE GIVEAWAY!  In celebration of my one year of blogging ( over 120 posts!), I'm offering a copy of A Passion Most Pure, plus, Julie has graciously offered to giveaway two books -- winner's choice of one of her books (including Steven's upcoming story, A Love Surrendered!), AND a top CBA book of their choice from her personal library as well.  That's THREE BOOKS going to the WINNER!!!  To be entered into the contest simply leave a comment on this post saying that you'd like to be entered.  Be sure to leave your email address in your comment -- NO EMAIL ADDRESS=NO WIN.

If you'd like an extra entry --  Follow Sweet Treats & Inspiration, and leave a separate comment saying that you're a follower.

Contest ends on January 31, 2012 at 8:59 P.M. PST.  Winner will be announced and notified on February 1st, and will have until February 8th to contact me to claim their prizes.

Thank you all for making this such a fun year of blogging!

UPCOMING GIVEAWAY on Tuesday, January 24, 2012!!!

In celebration of my 1 year Blogivesary, I'm hosting an AWESOME giveaway!  Your clue is two words . . . JULIE LESSMAN!  I look forward to seeing you here on January 24, 2012!

WINNER of the My Favorite Bible book Giveaway!

Janet, you are the winner of the My Favorite Bible Giveaway!  Congratulations!  Thank you all for entering!  I will be sending you an email, Janet.  : )

Book Giveaway Reminder!

Hello there!  Just want to remind everyone of the current giveaway that's going on for My Favorite Bible: The Best Loved Stories of the Bible by Rondi DeBoer and Christine Tangvald (Click on this link to go to the giveaway post).

Enter by December 7, 2011 at 8:59 PST for your chance to WIN!

Book GIVEAWAY! My Favorite Bible: The Best Loved Stories of the Bible by Rondi DeBoer and Christine Tangvald

Here's a sweet treat, just for you!  Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, has graciously offered to give one of my readers a FREE copy of My Favorite Bible: The Best Loved Stories of the Bible.  It's not a children's Bible, but a Bible story book that includes key verses and parent pages called “Family Talk” and “Family Fun” to assist adults in discussing the stories with children. 

With the vibrant illustrations and engaging text in this Bible storybook, you can enjoy sharing the best-loved stories of the Bible with the children in your life and encourage a life-long love for the Word of God. My Favorite Bible is a book of exciting Bible stories and activity pages that guide children through the foundational truths of Scripture.

Each story is fully illustrated and includes a simple narrative full of things kids love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, and discussion questions to help adults introduce children to the Bible.

The colorful illustrations will capture the imaginations of children ages 4–8, and the stories will help adults to pass along the most important truth in life—the Gospel. Families will cherish this time as they read, listen, learn, and love, growing closer to one another even as they grow closer to God.

For your chance to win, just leave a comment that includes your email address.  If I draw your name, and there is no email address, I will have to draw another name.  Contest is open in the U.S. and internationally and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is drawn from a non-biased third party- Random.org.  I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on December 7th, at 8:59 P.M. PST.

WINNER of the MyMemories Suite Software!

Congratulations to Casey!  You are the WINNER of the MyMemories Suite Software giveaway!  I will contact you soon with the code to claim your prize. I removed my comments from the drawing, thus the 10 entries.
 

 

Thank you to all who stopped by and entered the contest!  If you didn't win, don't forget that you can still purchase the software and receive a $10 discount, plus receive an additional $10 off on a purchase from the MyMemories.com store.  Simply go to the MyMemories.com website to make your purchase and use this code to receive your discount . . . STMMMS74342

MyMemories Suite Software GIVEAWAY!

Do I have a sweet treat for you today!  It comes in the form of a GIVEAWAY, and it should provide you with some wonderful inspiration to get those photos preserved in a creative way!  Even if you're new to digital scrapbooking, no need to worry.  If I can do this, so can you!  You can keep it as simple as you want, or get more extravagant -- it's completely up to you!

When MyMemories contacted me to host a giveaway for their software, I knew you all would love it!  One lucky winner will receive the MyMemories Suite software to download for FREE (almost a $40 value!!)  Please be sure to read the rules for entry at the end of the post. 

What is MyMemories Suite software, and what can you do with it?  First of all, it's very simple.  It's digital scrapbooking software that you download straight to your computer.  Once you've downloaded the software, you're ready to get started.  You don't have to buy anything else, but if you want to purchase additional kits in the future, they're available.  The software comes loaded with SO MUCH, that the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.  Besides making scrapbook layouts, you can make cards, photo books, videos, and more!

You're only limited by your imagination!

The layouts that I'm sharing today are my first attempts at using the MyMemories Suite software, and it was really easy!  I chose a template for the photos, added different colored mats behind the photos, chose my background paper, added a couple flower embellishments, a title, a little quote, and VOILA!  The MyMemories Suite software is simple to use, and very user-friendly.  If you make a mistake, or put something in the wrong spot, simply undo it (no messy glue or photo squares, and no paper to clean up!).  If you get stuck on anything, there is tech support available, a blog forum on their website, and a facebook community.

Simple layouts like this can be made in minutes!

Now for the GIVEAWAY!  One lucky winner will receive the MyMemories Suite software for FREE (almost a $40 value!).  

Here are the rules for the giveaway . . .
1.  Mandatory entry -- Go to the MyMemories website, then come back to tell me what your favorite theme or kit is.  Please leave your email address in your comment.  NO EMAIL ADDRESS = NO ENTRY.
2.  Follow my blog for 1 EXTRA ENTRY.  PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT, and include your email address.

The giveaway will be open for entries until September 6, 2011 at 11:59 PST.  Winner will be selected by random.org.  The winner will be announced on Wednesday, September 7, 2011.  Thank you so much for participating!

As a special thank you to my readers, MyMemories is offering a special code that provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - a $20 value!  Please use this code to receive your SAVINGS -- STMMMS74342

For more information on how the MyMemories Suite software works, please watch the following informative video.

Welcome to the Family! from Lisa Jurrens on Vimeo.

Wild Olive Tees - So Loved: A Giveaway to Remember

So Loved was created to help bring Esther home from China to her forever family. Two months before coming home, Esther passed away from a virus that was complicated by her heart defect. We are proud to carry “So Loved” in our store in honor of Esther, and orphans around the world, so that God’s love will be glorified.
100% of the proceeds of the sale of each So Loved tee will be used to fund a future heart surgery for an orphan in China.
In remembrance of Esther, and as a celebration of her birthday today, Wild Olive Tees is giving away 15 So Loved tees!

Entry deadline is August 14th, 2011.  Stop by their website to enter today!