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Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

courtney walsh

5 on Friday: Books to get you through winter {plus a giveaway!}

December 13, 2013

It snowed here this week, which has me thinking all things winter. Hot drinks. Warm blankets. Pretty scenery (viewed from inside, of course!). While I’m not much of a play-in-the-snow kind of person, I don’t mind snow. If it’s going to be cold, I’d rather have snow than nothing.

1. A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs. I read this novella last year, and I’ll probabl

No matter the season, I have books on the brain. And I’ve been thinking of some Christmas-themed ones and winter-themed ones that might make your winter a little warmer. Here are five that come to mind. (And I’m giving two of them away!)wreath of snow

y pick it up again. I didn’t used to read Christmas stories around Christmas, but there’s a charm to it.

sweethave christmas2. A Sweethaven Christmas by Courtney Walsh. This is the third book in a series, but if you’re from a small town that has a Christmas walk/parade/festival, then this book will take you back there. I haven’t been to something like that in years but when I read this story, I felt like I was home. (Keep reading to find out how to win a copy of this one!)

3. Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma. A new release I read this week (and it was on sale on Kindle!). Set in 1945 in the Netherlands, the book focuses on Dutch Resistance efforts and one woman’s internal battle with living safe or living free. Also, based, in part, on a true story from Tolsma’s family.

4. Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman. Another good one about a woman becoming who she truly is. I love that the main character’s name is Lily Winter. As she recovers from the loss of her husband and her daughter’s transition to college, Lily heads to Australia in search of a twin sister she never knew she had.

wildflowers from winter5. Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert. (I guess I have a thing for flowers and winter imagery!) In it, a small-town girl making it big in the city returns to her hometown to deal with tragedy and finds that leaving her past behind isn’t as easy as she thought. And I happen to have an extra signed copy of this one in the house, so I’d love to give it away. Consider it a Christmas present to you, my book-loving friends! Is there any better present than a book? Maybe, but books are near the top of the list for me!

And I’ve got a copy of A Sweethaven Christmas to give away! Two books, two winners!

So, how do you win? Just leave me a comment about what you love/hate/appreciate/despise about winter, or answer any of the questions below. Also, if you’d prefer one book over the other, let me know that. One winner per book, though! I’ll pick two winners on Tuesday, December 17 (my grandmother’s birthday!). (Contest open to U.S. readers.)

What other Christmas/winter books would you add to the list? Have you read any of these?

What stories do you like to read when the temperatures drop?

Filed Under: 5 on Friday, Fiction, giveaways, holidays Tagged With: anita higman, books, christmas, courtney walsh, katie ganshert, liz curtis higgs, liz tolsma, snow, winter

Saturday smiles: Random edition

October 6, 2012

Playing Frisbee with the under 5 crowd is an almost-sure path to appearing on America’s Funniest Videos.

Who says miracles don’t happen? Every day when I put dinner on the table and manage to not kill anyone, it’s a miracle. Bonus miracle if it’s edible and/or nutritious. I’m thinking of pitching a show to Food Network that involves cooking while your kids are wrestling each other at your feet, chasing themselves around the table, and clinging to your leg. Phil thinks child and family services wouldn’t approve. He’s probably right.

Books in the mail. Especially from two great authors. I’ve already finished the one on the left.

Great coffee. A couple of months ago I discovered there was a local roaster in our neighborhood, literally a block from our house. I wish I’d known this earlier. Or maybe I don’t. Regardless, I’m now enjoying a pound of fair trade locally roasted Sumatran coffee.

I tried three kinds this morning and later had to drink a cup of coffee to take the edge off of my morning coffee buzz. This is what addiction looks like, isn’t it?

At storytime, while the fabulous storytime leader was reading a book about a dragon, she asked if any of the kids could blow smoke out of their nose. Izzy didn’t miss a beat and said in all seriousness: “We can only blow snot out of our nose.” Truer words never spoke.

The kids pray at meal time and almost fight over who gets to do it.

Turning on PBS to find Pennsylvania Polka is on. I almost got up and danced. Almost.

Receiving a digital postcard from one of my favorite authors. I love her books and am really excited to be part of her “street team” promoting her new works. And it’s not every day you get to see your name in front of a historical, biblical site in Ephesus.

Totally made my day. Since my travel budget is non-existent right now, I’m happy to travel vicariously.

Thanks for traveling through randomness with me tonight.

Filed Under: Saturday smiles Tagged With: books, coffee, courtney walsh, ephesus, fat puppy coffee, local roasters, nicole baart, random thoughts, smilemakers, sumatran coffee, tracy higley

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Hi. I’m Lisa, and I’m glad you’re here. If we were meeting in real life, I’d offer you something to eat or drink while we sat on the porch letting the conversation wander as it does. That’s a little bit what this space is like. We talk about books and family and travel and food and running, whatever I might encounter in world. I’m looking for the beauty in the midst of it all, even the tough stuff. (You’ll find a lot of that here, too.) Thanks for stopping by. Stay as long as you like.

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