Cards Still Make a Difference & Giveaway!

{More info on these cards}

We have more excuses than ever not to send cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions: The price of stamps just increased.  Again.  Cards aren’t eco-friendly (even though they can be recycled and are often made out of recycled materials).  And, of course, there just isn’t enough time to buy a card, address it, and pop it in a mail box.  Besides, e-card are often free…and nothing says, “I love you, Mom” like canned music and a mouse jumping out of a birthday cake.

In our tech savvy society, do conventional cards really make a difference?  That was the question I sought to answer with my brand new DaySpring cards—the Hope & Encouragement by (in)courage’s Holly Gerth  My test subjects?  The ladies in the Monday night Bible study that I lead.

First, I needed a control card to ensure that each member of my Bible study received a card that is equal in value and appearance.  I chose “Thank You For What You Do” from Holley Gerth’s collection.  What better want to tell the ladies in my flock how much I care about each and every one of them and thank them for the support they offer me weekly, as their fearless shepherdess.  As I addressed each card, I asked God to help me write a pithy message to each lady.  Despite using the same card, I didn’t want to express exactly the same sentiment to the varying personalities present at Monday night Bible study. 

Second, I wanted to give my Bible study a chance to spread the blessing to others.  I went through all my DaySpring cards, picked out about 12 (admittedly, it’s hard to part with any of my beautiful cards, but I was on a woman on a mission!), and placed them on the table at Bible study telling the ladies to pick a card or two to send (or give) to someone else.

After receiving their personalized cards from me, the ladies were more than delighted to choose cards for their own use. I overheard comments like, “Wow, these are really nice cards!”  “Amy, did you buy all these cards for us?” “They sell DaySpring cards at the local Bible bookstore!”   Most of all, they were excited that cards geared towards Christian women were relevant, beautiful, and affordable!  Someone remarked that the cards were great for anyone—Christian or not! 

One lady asked us to help her find a card that would be appropriate to encourage a friend whose mother just died.  Another wanted to use her card to uplift a co-worker who is going through an incredibly rough time.  A few ladies picked out cards and didn’t disclose how they would be used…yet.  Since one member of our group was unable to attend our “card shower,” we decided to sign and send her a card to let her know that we love her and she was missed!  Naturally, the choice of card was a group decision!

{This card, featuring a crown and a bookmark, was my favorite.  Oh, how I need to remember these words!}

While my experiment was wholly unscientific, I can safely say that greeting cards are still relevant.  There’s something about the tactile sensation of opening a card, especially when unexpected, knowing that the sender thought of you!  I like to save my cards and read the messages again and again—a reminder that people do love me when I feel unloved and unlovely or celebrated when I feel defeated. Will a card change the world?  Probably not.  But it can make someone’s day, and I’m grateful that DaySpring cards gave me the opportunity to bless others, who in turn, will use DaySpring cards to bless even more.

Yes, friends, cards really do make a difference.  Get a book of forever stamps, make a list of people who could use a beautiful card, and head over to the DaySpring Online Store to nab a few cards of your own. And, ladies, check out (in)courage for uniquely feminine musings as well as the fabulous (in)spired deals to get cute cards like mine!

Win a $20 code to use at DaySpring’s Online Store!

And I’m going to make it even easier for you to bless others with DaySpring cards, simply enter my giveaway to win a $20 coupon code to DaySpring’s online store,which offers a bounty of cards as well as other inspirational products.  To enter, simply fill out THE FORM.  For an extra entry, leave a comment about how a card cheered up your day OR how you used a card to bless someone else.  The giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on January 31, so get entering.

*If you really want to win, then head on over to my friend’s blog, Shari’s Sentiments, for another chance to win a $20 gift code.  Imagine if you win both of our giveaways…$40 can bring a lot of cheer!

*To my dearest FTC, I selected and was provided with the Holley Gerth Hope & Encouragement Pack from DaySpring, free of charge for review. These opinions are my own and do not reflect those of Dayspring in any way.* (P.S. I totally copy/pasted this disclosure from Shari’s blog.)

GIVEAWAY!!! Jason Gray’s “Remind Me Who I Am” is #1 on iTunes!

Wednesdays are killer, right?  Last weekend is a distant memory and this weekend seems like it will never arrive.  And to make matters worse, we’re in the holiday season—shopping, decorating, baking, avoiding Salvation Army bell ringers. I love the Salvation Army and all they do, but I could do without the bell ringers.  I wish you could give them $20 to stop ringing the bell for five minutes or at least until you make it to the car.

But this morning whilst performing my daily ritual of checking out what happened in the cyber world as  I slumbered, I learned something VERY EXCITING from Jen Rose—Jason Gray’s single, “Remind Me Who I Am” is #1 on the Christian & Gospel charts on iTunes!  Now “Remind Me Who I Am” will always be one of my favorite songs because of the impact it had (and continues to have) on my life,  so I would love to see it get stay at #1. (Note: I like Casting Crowns’ “Courageous” and Laura Story’s “Blessings,” too.  But neither song has hit me in the heart like “Remind Me Who I Am”).

Did you hear *that*, er, read *that?!  I’ll type it in CAPS for emphasis:

JASON GRAY’S “REMIND ME WHO I AM” IS CURRENTLY #1!!!

Personally, I believe you should buy “Remind Me Who I Am” because it’s a great song AND it’s only 69 cents on iTunes, but to help you in your music buying decision, I’m gonna back up this song with a  giveaway.  If you purchase “Remind Me Who I Am” on iTunes, you will get a chance to win an autographed copy of Jason Gray’s latest album, A Way to See in the Dark (and, yes, this is the album “Remind Me Who I Am” is on!) 

Maybe you already own the song or just can’t afford it right now, that’s OK.  I would never exclude anyone from a giveaway.  So everyone gets one entry, BUUUUUUT, if you buy the single on iTunes or gift the single to friends with an identity crisis, you get TWO extra entries for EACH purchase, and if you review the song on iTunes (I’m talking at least two sentence here, not “This song rocketh.” Put a little meat in that review), you get another TWO entries.  That means, you get ONE entry just for being alive, and TWO entries if you buy the song for yourself and TWO more if you leave a review of “Remind Me Who I Am” on iTunes, which gives you SIX chances to win!  (Or if you enter and buy the song for your Aunt Mabel, you have EIGHT your chance of winning A Way to See in the Dark!)

I funkified the photo because it looked subpar due to my messy desk background.

Just fill out THE FORM, tell me how many copies of “Remind Me Who I Am” you purchased on iTunes, write a smashing review, and [hopefully] win!  Remember, you get an entry just for being alive, so everyone can enter, but only one can win.  I mean, maybe I can get Jason Gray to send each one of you a hair follicle or something (by the way, JG did not ask me to run this contest, but I watched him personally autograph the CD, so he has foreknowledge that a giveaway would happen!)

Here are some links in REALLY BIG LETTERS to help you:

1. Buy “Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray for 69 cents. 

(Or don’t and enter anyway.  But you get TWO extra entries for each copy of the song you purchase. (You’re on the honor system.  I mean, I love this song, but if you tell me you purchased 109 copies, I’m going to need to see that iTunes receipt.)

2.  Write a short, but meaningful review of “Remind Me Who I Am” on iTunes for another TWO entries.

(By the way, you can review the song without buying it on iTunes, so by being alive AND writing a review, you can get THREE entries.)

3. Then enter to win an authographed copy of the WHOLE album, A Way to See in the Dark by Jason Gray, right here!  I’m instituing use of THE FORM!

*FILL OUT THIS FORM*

The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on December 7, so you have a whole week to snag this deal.  The winner will be emailed and if he/she does not respond within 3 days, a new winner will be chosen.  I am not responsible for prizes that are lost by the USPS, though it would be very sad and I would cry with you should that occur.  Oh, and if you buy more copies of “Remind Me Who I Am” or decide to write a review AFTER you’ve already entered do come back and tell me so I can give you even more extra entries.

Even if you don’t win this amazing album, and I hope you do, you still win by getting a copy of “Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray.  And I do encourage you to purchase A Way to See in the Dark, for it is a phenomenal album…and it makes a great Christmas present! (I heard Aunt Mabel really wants a copy!)

Still not sure about the song?  Read WHY Jason Gray wrote “Remind Me Who I Am,” find out why I’m thankful for Jason Gray, and read a little about how “Remind Me Who I Am” has helped me (though I only mention the song as an afterthought, I realize it really helped me to come to terms with my identity in God and inspired this post). Learn more about Jason Gray and his awesome self at JasonGrayMusic.com.

Amy’s Random Aside:  I believe in Jason Gray and his music so much that I changed my Twiticon and my Facebook profile pictures to “Remind Me Who I Am.” (I added “Beloved” to the Facebook pic because Amy means “beloved.”)  If you just love Jason, his music, or what people to remind you who you are, email me and I’ll change your Twitter or Facebook book to look similar to mine. (Text may be different.  We are all unique creatures.)

(Click on my image to follow me on Twitter for tantalizing updates!)

OR

(Feel free to friend me on Facebook, too!)

Tell me, once again, why you like this song, why you like this song? (Sing that to the chorus of “Remind Me Who I Am”)  How have you deal with a spiritual identity crisis?  Jason Gray has great hair, so why do you think he’s wearing that hat in the music video for “Remind Me Who I Am”?  Do you recycle your cardboard boxes, make signs from them, or just throw them out in the regular trash?

Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop (Sept. 24-Oct 1)

{Click here for full list of blogs hosting giveaways!}

I hereby interrupt my “blogging break” for the Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop.  I mean, Banned Books Week only happens once year, right?

What’s my opinion of banned books?  I think it really depends on the book and *WHY* it’s being banned and from where the banning is taking place.  Honestly, there are some books that I think shouldn’t be in a school library, a public library, or even a church library (like anything by Joel Osteen.  Actually, his books are should be banned from society).  Of course, these books are based on *MY* opinions and how I view the world and society in general.

As a teen, I tried to read as many “banned” books as possible (with the blessing of educators), particularly if they were classics like Catcher in the Rye.  The best way to get someone to read a book is to ban it.

For my INTERNATIONAL (to where The Book Depository ships) giveaway, I’m going you can choose ONE of the following books chosen because it was banned or challenged for a funny reason…

*The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins for giving an 11 year-old nightmares. (You can also choose Catching Fire or Mockingjay, which are as equally “nightmarish”!)

*Brave New World by Aldous Huxley for being a repeat offender year after year.

*Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson for “glorifying sex.”  The book is about a girl dealing with her rape–not so glorifying!  This is a really good book about a terrible topic.

*The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien for being burned by a church and labelled as “satanic.” (Your choice of any ONE  book in the trilogy–The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, or Return of the King OR the ever “satanic” book, The Hobbit.)

*The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger for being the most banned book of all time!!!

*To Kill a Mockingbird  by Harper Lee for being a classic banned book!

*The Lord of the Flies by William Golding for a slew of reasons.  I happen to think it’s a great book.

*1984 by George Orwell for being “pro-communist.”

*Animal Farm by George Orwell for “indecent images of alcoholic pigs.”  A fave book of mine!

*The Bible, particularly Song of Solomon, for its “sexual imagery.”  (If you choose the Bible, it *must* be $15 or under…and please only choose this if you want the Bible!  This one is nice, despite being $15.69.  You can totally choose it.)

(Source: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/reasonsbanned/index.cfm)

To enter, simply fill out

*THE FORM*!

THE DEETS:  The giveaway runs until 11:59 PM EST on October 1.  After the winner is confirmed (via email) he or she will be announced on Backseat Writer, Twitter, and via White House Press Conference.  This giveaway is ONLY open to residents of planet Earth. Sorry, but the cost of shipping books to Pluto is just getting out of control. (Psst! That means it’s a international party, kids!)  I am not responsible for prizes that mysteriously disappear in the postal system.  You can leave a comment about a book that you *wish* was banned and why.  You won’t get any extra points, but it might make me laugh!

Thanks to I Read Banned Books and I Am a Reader, Not a Writer for organizing this fab giveaway hop! 

Summer Giveaway Hop (August 1-7) {Closed}

Congratulations to BSW’s Summer Giveaway Hop winner, Sarah Sparks!

{Click here for a FULL LIST of all the participants!}

Well, howdy!  Welcome to another lovely bookish giveaway hop hosted by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and Mary at Bookhounds.  Don’t our hostesses always do such a great job organizing these hops?  Yes, they do! (And, yes, I do like to answer rhetorical questions.)

Anyway, those of you who have previously visited Backseat Writer know that usually I babble on about something, give you outrageous entry options, and we all have a jolly good laugh together.  I hope that continues to be the case.  However, instead of my usual $10 gift card to Amazon or The Book Depository, you have a chance to win something *really* special—Passport Through Darkness by Kimberly L. Smith, which is a breathtaking memoir about one woman’s efforts to end human trafficking.  (Read my review.)

Like I said in my review, which I am sure you read, commented on, and are sharing with all of your friends, family, and wanna-be friends, this book ruined me, my idea of “missionaries,” and challenged me to not be so comfortable.  But only enter to win this book if you want your world rocked…because personal examination is part of your journey when reading Passport Through Darkness.

To enter, all you have to do is fill out *THE FORM* with your name and a valid email address.  That’s it!

For an TWO extra entries, check out Kimberly’s site, MakeWayPartners.org and tell me ONE THING you learned about human trafficking, about Kimberly, and/or about the organization.  (You must post your ONE THING in the comments section.  You MUST provide the name that you commented with on the *THE FORM* to earn the extra puntos.)

If you are hosting a giveaway as part of the SUMMER GIVEAWAY HOP, then you are ALSO eligible for ONE extra entry.  Just leave a link to your giveaway in the specified area on *THE FORM*.  You deserve a bonus just for being awesome! (Feel free to leave links to your SUMMER GIVEAWAY HOP post in the comments section, too.  Not required, but why not promote yourself?  All nonsensical or non-PG linkage will be deleted, spammed, and thrown to the cyber-hounds.)

ENTER HERE VIA *THE FORM*.

Remember, you must enter via *THE FORM*.  *THE FORM* is your friend and your ticket to winning.  The giveaway ends at 11: 59 PM on August 8.  The winner will be notified by email and upon confirmation, will be announced via Facebook, Twitter, and as part of a “Friday Faves” blog post.  The book will be shipped by the author and Backseat Writer is not responsible for missing and or lost prizes, but it will make me very sad.  Yes, this giveaway *IS* international.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment or linkage to your Summer Giveaway Hop post.  While it’s not required, it’s always nice to hear from you guys. And if you tell me what you learned about on MakeWayPartners.org, you can earn yourself an TWO extra entries (and ONE extra entry for those of you hosting Summer Giveaway Hop giveaways).  Happy summer!

Friday Faves: The Civil War(s) Edition

It’s July 1!  Who’s ready for a three-day weekend?  That is, if you didn’t take off already.  Did you know that today marks the 148th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg? (Do you even care?)  Right now, there are thousands of people descending upon the small town of Gettysburg, PA to re-enact the epic three-day battle (July 1-2, 1863), which marked the turning point of the Civil War.  I’ve found the Battle of Gettysburg fascinating since my eighth grade history teacher had my class read the book, The Killer Angels by Michael Sharaa (it’s historical fiction about the Battle of Gettysburg).  Now that I’ve been to Gettysburg several times, I’m something of a sightseeing expert.  For example, I know where all the best (“funniest”) statues are, how to find Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain’s battle line (I read the signs), and can sometimes distinguish Little Round Top and Big Round Top.  But at least my tours are free, so if you want to do Gettysburg the fun way, come with me.  We can even  stop at the Boyd’s Bear Country and get a giant baked potato slathered with cheese and butter, too. (This old blog post details one of my Gettysburg trips: “My Trip to Gettysburg” with some awesome photography.)

Click here to see more of my Gettysburg pics.

Know what else I like?  A band named “The Civil Wars.” I’ve mentioned them before, but since they fit in with this week’s edition, I thought I’d mention them again.  If you haven’t purchased Barton Hollow, then you are really missing out on the joy this music could provide for your life.  Even my mom likes The Civil Wars, which makes them Mom-approved.

And if you like The Civil Wars, then you’ll just love SHIROCK (OK, maybe you won’t, but I love SHIROCK and it seemed like a good segue.)  Check out their latest video for the song, “Still Young,” which just so happens to be my favorite SHIROCK song.  I’ve had the joy of meeting and hanging out with SHIROCK and I’m sure that if my mom did the same, she’d love them, too. Check out SHIROCK.net whatever for more information on the band, including information on how to purchase their music.

Here what else is going on around the webosphere…

*Giveaways galore!  Today is the VERY LAST DAY to enter to win a $35 gift code to DaySpring’s online store.  I really want you to enter because I really want you win.  GO ENTER, please!  And today is the VERY FIRST [official] DAY  to enter my giveaway to win a $10 Amazon gift card or a book of your choice up to $10 from The Book Depository.  It’s all part of the Freedom Giveaway Hop, which features over 200 blogs giving away bookish delights.  Enter here (after you’re done reading this fabulous blog post, of course) and then check out the other giveaways going on.  You can win some really cool prizes.

*Sarah Cunningham, author of Picking Dandelions (read review), is a funny lady, especially when blogging about son, Justus.  The toddler is affectionately referred to as “The Emperor” and this week Sarah talks about how the Emperor locked himself in the bathroom and played in the toilet.  Check out this highly amusing post, “The Emperor’s Summer Rule.”

Photo Credit: (DENISE SANCHEZ, THE MORNING CALL / June 28, 2011)

*My former young adult Sunday School teachers, Al and Linda Iezzi, were featured in The Morning Call (local paper).  As you may remember, Al was featured on the show “Undercover Boss” and talked about his two grandkids who suffer Sanfilippo syndrome, which will cause them to die in their teen’s.  I’m praying for a cure for Waverly and Oliver, their parents, and the Iezzi’s.  Read more about Al and his family here.  It’s a wonderful article on a great family.

*Over at AOL Video, you can watch a clip of Joanne Rogers, wife of the infamous “Mr. (Fred) Rogers.”  If you’re like me, you watched “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” like a fiend.  The clip is a cute remembrance of a childhood legend…and you can finally learn who made those cardigan sweaters. Watch the video.

*Some of you know about my ongoing battle with Sallie Mae over my graduate loans.  Therefore, I was sad to read about others who were having trouble paying their student loans as well.  Check out CNN Money’s, “My Degree Isn’t Worth the Debt.”  Click through the article to read various stories about student debut issues. (Related article: “Cancel student debt to stimulate the economy“).

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

This weekend’s discussion questions–What do you think Chuck Shirock is lugging around in that suitcase in the “Still Young” video?  Do you have student loan debt?  What is your favorite memory of Mr. Rogers and his neighborhood?  Didn’t I have the best Sunday School teacher (Al Iezzi)? Have you ever been to Gettysburg?  Do you like giant potatoes?  Did you ever my giveaways?  Anything else you’d like to add?

Congrats to my Splash Into Summer Winner(s)!

Since I’m announcing a winner on both Backseat Writer and Backseat Reader, I thought I’d do one big marvelous post! Isn’t that exciting? Now most of you aren’t going to read what I’m about to write. You’re going to scroll down, find out if you’re the winner, and move on. A few of you might post a hearty congrats to the winners. But really, you’re going to be bummed out that you didn’t win a $10 Amazon gift card or choice of book up to $10 from The Book Depository. I get it; I really do. I am you because I’m going to do the same thing, along with checking my email about 50 times today to see if I get a “winner” notification. It feels good to win, doesn’t it? I wish I could do more giveaways. (Hear that publicists? I want to do more giveaways! )

So, if you didn’t win here, which you probably didn’t since there’s only one winner (two if you count my other blog), then I hope you won another giveaway. If you didn’t win another giveaway, then, uh, I’m sure you’re a lovely person, and that’s way more awesome than winning a gift card, right? Thanks for being awesome you!

In fact, some of you are SO AWESOME that you did a few of the fake entry methods on Backseat Writer, which cracked me up! I might do a crazy entry contest in the near future, which will definitely appeal to the creatives among us.

You want me to read Divergent! So I'm going to do it!

Before I announce the winners, I’d love to share some of your book recommendations with, uh, the rest of you (translation: the two of you who will read this, including my mom! Hi Mom!). The most popular recommendation is Divergent by Veronica Roth. Guess what? I have Divergent on my TBR pile…yes, it’s an actual pile in my room. I hope to start reading it next week, so I’ll let you all know what I think.

You also want me to read Wither by Lauren DeStefano (which I read and reviewed. Hmm… Apparently, many of you did not comment on every post on Backseat Writer or Backseat Reader), City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (I have the first two books in the series, so I look forward to reading the whole series as well as The Infernal Devices series), The Hunger Games series, Matched by Ally Condie (have it!) and one lone voice wants me to read the Harry Potter series (done and done.)

I love each and every recommendation, but there are a few that just struck me as funny, and here they are:

*Mars Z, whose blog address is apparently, “I’d tell you but then I’d have to kill you,” says, “Well. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity is a light summer read.”

*My mom thinks I should read the Bible and says that BackseatWriter.com is her website. I guess that’s fair. She does guest post, but it also makes her ineligible for this giveaway.

*Leeswammes wants me to read a book from her giveaway, but her giveaway is over and I didn’t win. However, check out all the literary fiction on Leewammes Blog. I think that Up From the Blue by Susann Henderson looks good.

*Michelle C. thinks I should read The Help by Kathryn Stockett (on the list for July) or Steven Tyler’s biography. Quite a combination there, Michelle!

*SarahTheHobbit (my best friend and roommate) says, “I think you must read all the books in your house. Who can pick just one?” Yeah, Sarah, that’ll take the next 10 summers. She also says that her personal website is JoshWilsonMusic.com, which I think may not be true.

*JR911 of SW Virginia Saving Money suggests that I do NOT read The Losing Role. See, she’s helping us all save money by not wasting our pesos on a bad book.

*For obvious reasons, I’m sharing this comment from Dev of I’m a Book Addict: “My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison. Also, your blog is hilariously funny! I highly enjoyed it and am tempted to go make a puppet theatre now! ” What a lovely girl with excellent taste! Dev’s new to the book blogging work, so give her a visit and a follow.

And without further adieu (because no one makes adieu like I do), the winners are:

…

And…Backseat Writer’s winner is BECKIE B of By The Book, who is receiving a $10 Amazon gift card!  Beckie thinks I’d enjoy The Friendship Bread by Darien Gee.  Lots of great giveaways and review at By the Book, so check out Beckie’s blog!

…

Backseat Reader’s winner is STEPHANIE of Steph Likes Books, who is choosing a book of her choice from The Book Depository! Stephanie also recommended Divergent, by the way. She’s a new book blogger, so show my new gal pal from the U.K. some love!

Congrats to Beckie and Stephanie!  Thank you for all the comments, follows, new readers, and hilarity!  I look forward to getting to know more of you via Twitter, Facebook, and through comments.  I will be visiting your blogs (those of you who have blogs and can tell me the URL’s without killing me) in the next few weeks, so keep a look out for me.

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop, March 17-20! {Closed}

WINNER:: CONGRATS TO MELISSA OF MELISSA’S MEANDERINGS!

I thought about writing a St. Patrick’s Day post full of lots of Irish jargon, but that seemed like too much work.  Besides, I already wrote this fantastic post “Being Irish, St. Patrick, and the elusive Shamrock Shake” which you are more than welcome to read.

So, instead Backseat Writer (stop #175) is joining with over 200 bookish bloggers to participate in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop hosted by Books Complete Me and I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.  Yes, we all know how I love a good giveaway, and now you have the chance to acquire one of my favorite books, Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis.

Till We Have Faces is a beautiful retelling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche with a twist.  The tale is told from the perspective of Psyche’s older, unattractive sister Orual, who struggles with her own self-image.  The plot is woven together masterfully by Lewis, and is much different from his Narnia series and theological writings.

To enter, fill out this form.  No book title = no entry into the drawing. You are also free to leave a cheery comment below!

Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on March 20.  The winner will be notified via email and announced via Twitter (Follow me!) on March 21. As long as The Book Depository ships to your house, you are eligible to win this giveaway!

For a full list of participating blogs, please click here.

And if you like giveaways, check out this one from  Brad’s Deals at Sweetney!  You can win a white iPad 2!  I know I’m entering!

Vote for Backseat Writer as one of the Best Blogs in the Lehigh Valley!

Guess what?  Someone (I’m pretty sure it was my mom) nominated Backseat Writer as one of the best blogs in the Lehigh Valley (that’s where I live for you out-of-towners)!  But I need you to vote for me so I can win the prestigious title of being one of the best blogs in the Valley.

Backseat Writer is nominated in three categories:: Religion, Pop Culture, and Personal.  You can vote for the site daily in each of these categories now through March 27 at 11:59 PM EST.  If I win a category, I will be giving away a very special yet-to-be-determined prize (probably an Amazon gift card) on my blog . (Why shouldn’t we all celebrate?)

You must be a registered using of TheMorningCall.com to vote, so register if you love me!  I really appreciate your vote!  Thanks, gang!  Have a wonderful weekend. (You can click on that logo on top of this post or on the side of the blog [I'm sad that it looks so silly on my sidebar] to vote for me in the Religion category!)

Update: If we win, I’ll have a drawing for a $15 Amazon gift card everyone who comments on the post announcing the win.  More votes = more entries!  We all win!

Update 2: My new friend Jaime over at Save the Kales reports that many people are having trouble voting on the Morning Call website.  She suggests using the Safari or Google Chrome web browsers when you vote.  Thanks, Jaime!  While you’re voting for Backseat Writer, you should head over to the Food Category and vote for Save the Kales (or click this direct link!)  Jaime’s giving away a free head of lettuce if she wins.  No, she’s not.  I just made that up.

Spooktacular Book Giveaway!

Since Backseat Writer hasn’t done a giveaway in a while, I think it’s time for some spooktacular fun.  I mean, why should all the kiddies have fun trick-or-treating?  All you have to do is leave a comment and you can win one ARC copy of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange and one ARC copy of Emma and the Vampires by Wayne Josephson.  Both books take a vampire spin on the world of Jane Austen.  The giveaway ends on October 31 at 11:59 PM.

*Thank you to SourceBooks for my copies of these books!*

Book Review:: Blind Hope by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher + Giveaway!

While well-written, Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog & the Woman She Rescued by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher was, well, typical.  The book amounts to a “Christian Soup for the Soul” story about a woman who adopted an emaciated Australian Shepherd mix.  The bits about the dog, Mia, and her relationship with owner Laurie were interesting, heartwarming, and beautiful.  However, the story was broken up by written conversations between Meeder and Sacher which ruined the flow of the tale.

I imagine the detailed accounts of these heart-to-heart talks between the two authors were supposed show the audience how much Laurie was learning about her relationship with God through her relationship with her dog, Mia.  Honestly, my biggest problem was that there was nothing new or fresh about this dog tale.

Because I’m a dog lover, I wanted to love this book.  Though the tale is touching, the story was too simplistic to hold my interest.  But maybe this book is for you, which is why I’m giving away not one, but TWO copies of Blind Hope.

Amy’s Grade: D

To enter to win one of my TWO copies of Blind Hope, leave a comment below telling me the name of your dog (or if you don’t have a dog, what you would name your dog.)  Contest ends June 29 at 11:59 PM EST. Be sure to leave a valid e-mail address so I can contact you if you win!

*With thanks to Waterbook Multnomah for my review and giveaway copies!*