Sunday, August 22, 2010

Release Party Countdown In: 10, 9, 8... ~My BIGGEST Giveaway yet~

WHOA! Why is the room spinning so fast?!?!?
Oh sorry, I was just at the Seasons of Humility County Fair, riding the Big Swing , and I guess I’m still a little bit dizzy. I had a great time over there with Amber and all my blogging friends. In fact, this week, Amber is hosting an End Of Summer Bash, to help harold (that's a word, right?) in the new school year. I hope y’all will be able to make it, because I know it's going to be a blast. Y'all won't want to miss this event!

Meanwhile, in another part of town… Oops, wrong post. ;)

Anyway, I was recently reading Julie Lessman's Journal Jots, a new feature she added to her website, and on Friday's "JJ", Julie mentioned how an awesome reader friend, named Angie, had a counter on her blog counting down the days till A Hope Undaunted comes out. And that gave me an idea. Why don't I count down MY top 10 "Can't-Wait-Reads" of 2010 ending with my #1 “Can’t-Wait-Read”, (drum roll please!)… A Hope Undaunted! (no surprise there, right?)
I’ll also be hosting a release party to celebrate its …well, release. LOL Sound like fun?
So, here is how it’s gonna go down: every day I'll post a book coming out this year, that I can't wait to read. I'll be starting at #10 and counting down to the book I just can’t wait any longer for, AHU. Which I, along with a host of others, have been waiting to read for over a year!!
And If I have to, I’ll drive all the way to Missouri, see Julie, visit with her for a good while, then steal Julie’s original copy of AHU, hop back into my family's minivan and drive back home. But hopefully, I won’t have to go that far to get my little southern hands on Undaunted.
And Julie has been such a tease, these past torture-filled months. Most literally. She keeps posting tons of fantastic teasers from AHU, which only makes me want to read it that much more. But at the same time, I feel as if I've read half the book already. You get what I’m saying… sort of? ;~)

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the giveaway.:) Every commenter that leaves their "Can't-Wait-Read" of the day, or lists their top 10 (but, you can list less, if you’d like), will be entered in to win. God has blessed me so much this year, and I want to pass on the blessings by giving away a total of 7 books. The first place winner, will receive their selection of any three the books below (Sorry about the glare)
Starting from the upper left:
Still House Pond by JanWatson
Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate
This Fine Life by Eva Maire Everson
The Edge Of Light by Anne Shorey
A Love Of Her Own by Maggie Brendon

and a copy of A Hope Undaunted!!

The first runner up will win the remaining 3 books. And I've read these books once, so there in like-new condition.

So here is my #10 Can't-Wait-Read:

Serendipity by Cathy Maire Hake

Backcover (from Bethany House):
Todd Valmer should have known better. A farmer who's been through several disasters, he travels to Virginia to fetch his widowed mother to cook and help him around his Texas farm... or that was the plan until she keels over on the train and they get kicked off. Maggie Rose barters for a living and also makes soaps, lotions, and perfumes with a special rose recipe passed down from mother to daughter for generations. She hasn't wanted to marry... until that handsome Texan shows up. Her heart skips a beat, and when he proposes, a hasty marriage follows.
What ensues, however, is a clash of culture and a battle of wills--and it's clear they both mistook instant attraction and infatuation for love. As their marriage loses its sparkle and fills with disillusionment, Todd and Maggie must determine what is worth fighting for. He dreams of a farm. Maggie wants to fulfill the family tradition with her rose perfumes. Todd's mother, however, has entirely different plans for her son that do not include Maggie. In light of their hasty marriage and mistaken dreams, is there any hope of recapturing their love and building a future together?

Why #10? : I love a great western romance and Ms. Hake’s books are some of my favorite sweet western romance novels. I mean, who doesn't love a dashing cowboy with a heart the size Texas and a belt-buckle to match? LOL, and the cover is just beautiful.



Oh! I almost forgot, here are the official giveaway rules:
*You must have a valid U.S mailing address
*A valid e-mail address (so that I can contact if you win)
*The giveaway will start 8/21/10 at 2:30PM and will end 9/1/10 at 12:00AM.

For extra entries:
+2 For becoming a new follower.
+3 For being already one of my great followers.
+5 For posting about my giveaway on your blog.

Please, PLEASE remember to include all extra entries in ONE comment. And remember to tell me which books you'd like, if you win. That would help me out so much, guys.
So, what is your #10 Can’t-Wait read?
See you tomorrow!

Love Y’all,
Ashley


!!ONLY 9 DAYS TILL A HOPE UNDAUNTED COMES OUT!!

42 comments:

  1. ASHLEY!!!!!!! Did you know that you just made my life more miserable??? Here I was trying to let each day fly by before AHU comes out and you have to REMIND me how many days are left!!!

    LOL, just giving you a bad time. I am practically drooling to get my hands on that book. And Julie has been terrible and she has gotten WORSE, posting stuff for the next book that I will have to wait ANOTHER year for. ARGH! Love her to death, but sometimes she really tries my patience. ;-)

    My #10 read is for A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer. And I won it from Renee's blog, so it should be here soon!!! I have heard nothing but good things about it.

    I am an old follower. I can't wait for tomorrow, such fun Ashley!!!

    caseymh18(@)gmail(.)com

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  2. Hi Ashley,

    I followed you over here from a thread on Goodreads.

    I am anxiously awaiting A Hope Undaunted too. Actually there are just four books that I'm itching to get my grubby little hands on.

    In no particular order they are:
    1. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
    2. A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman
    3. Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
    4. Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck.

    I've got the longest wait for Dining with Joy, the rest of my book longings should be satisfied within the next couple of weeks.

    I'm a new follower.

    Joy

    JoyG LeeG @aol. com (remove spaces)

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  3. How exciting! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's lists!
    My # 10 Can't wait to read is This Fine Life. I've been wanting to read it for awhile! I've really been in the mood to read a book set in the 50s/60s.
    I'm an old follower.
    I have this giveaway posted in my sidebar.
    bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

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  4. There are two books right now that I can hardly wait to read. They are Colleen Coble's "The Lightkeeper's Bride" and then next month Sarah Sundin's release of "A Memory Between Us".

    I am an old follower.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  5. Wow, what a fun giveaway! I too cannot wait for A Hope Undaunted to come out! In addition to that, here are a few others on my "can't wait to read" list:
    1. Licensed for Trouble by Susan May Warren
    2. She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell
    3. A Taylor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

    Also, I'm an old follwer! :)

    s(dot)bofferding(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  6. How fun! I don't have many that I'm waiting to come out, but I have a HUGE stack in my room to read! Mine aren't really in any order though. For today though, I'm dying to read a book called Poison by Chris Wooding. It's sci-fi, but so intriguing!

    I am a follower already :)

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

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  7. At present I am reading my first ever book by Julie, `A Passion Most Pure` I'm pleased to say I won an autographed copy and am enjoying it immensely.
    moma3homeschool(at)gmail(dot)com

    A few other books on my list are:
    (1) Licensed for Trouble by Susan May Warren
    (2) A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman
    (3) Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

    Also, I am an old follower

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  8. I am looking forward to the release of Embers of Love, Striking a Match Series #1
    By: Tracie Peterson.

    sonflower277(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I am a new follower. Found you through Carmen.

    I just finished The Protector by Carla Capshaw. Excellent read!

    estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

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  10. I've read Julie's first three books, and found them wonderful! Looking forward to A Hope Undaunted, which is one of my can't-wait-to-read books. Others include the Pawn, and The Knight by Steven James, since I just finished The Bishop.

    I'm a new follower.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  11. A few of my top to reads are:
    The Bridegroom
    The Husband Tree
    A Hope Undaunted
    The Way to a Man's Heart (I love anything Amish)
    What a great prize you're giving away. Thanks for sharing with us. (Carman sent me).
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  12. The top of my list is Her Daughters Dream by Francine Rivers, due out on Sept 1.

    I am a new follower from Canada, and I found your blog through Carmen.

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  13. OK, so many great things to comment on!!!

    First of all, thank you so, so much for not only mentioning my blog and the fun we had at County Fair Week, but for also mentioning the End of Summer Bash that's going on this week! :D How super sweet of you! I know it's going to be lots of fun, and there will be a couple of giveaways going on, too!

    Second, A Hope Undaunted is coming out soon!!! Ahhhhh!!! I can't wait to read it, and I only hope that I won't be bogged down with homework as soon as I get back to school. ;)

    Third, there are so many super great books that have come out or are going to come out this year! Here are some of the ones I am still looking forward to:

    --Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall (Oh, please, please come this week!!! I have been desperate to read this one!)

    --Petra: City of Stone by T.L Higley (I just LOVE her 7 Wonders series, and I know this one is going to be fantastic!)

    --Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz (I'm ordering this one from Amazon.com as soon as I get to school! It will be so great to have it come in the mail. I'm always checking my mailbox all the time when I'm at college!)

    --Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander (I really hope I get to read the conclusion of this great series!)

    I'm sure there are TONS more! ;)

    And finally, what a fabulous giveaway, Ashley! Here are my extra entries:

    +3 I'm already a follower. :)

    +5 I'm going to post your giveaway in my sidebar any minute now! ;) Hope that counts!

    Thank you so much for all the fun and excitement! Can't wait for more countdown thrills!

    ~Amber

    stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

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  14. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
    A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman.
    Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
    Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauckood
    The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy
    Serendipity by Cathy Maire Hake
    I am a good reads member and a google follower.

    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. My #10 read would have to be Love Finds You in Calico! I have been dying to read this book, and just got it in the mail - so am eagerly reading it now! :-D

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    I am a new follower! (+2)

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  16. Oh my gracious! I accidentally found your blog looking for the Revell Blog Tour dates and what do you know? You mentioned my blog! Well sorta...you mentioned Julie's Journal Notes that mentioned my blog but how exciting! I hope you liked my countdown widget. If I don't get a copy of Julie's book in the mail, I will be standing in line at Lifeway when they open to grab my copy. After Hope Undaunted, I want to read Serendipity too. If it's okay, my blog is angielippard.blogspot.com. I'd love for you (and others) to check it out and I am adding you as a follower. Thanks, Angie

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  17. ASHLEY!!!! What a fun, FUN blog, my friend, and thank you SOOOO much for making A Hope Undaunted your #1 most anticipated read!! I JUST finished my author copy right before I went do dinner tonight and got immediately depessed it was over!! How weird is that?? But you already know it's my favorite of all the books I've written, so hopefully it will be your favorite too!

    I am teaching at a writer's conference all week with NO WI-FI in the rooms -- AGHHHH!!!! -- so I don't get to e-mail or the Internet often, but your blog made me laugh, so thanks again for posting it.

    And THANK YOU to all my wonderful online friends who posted AHU as one of their anticipated reads too -- you guys ROCK!! Now ... let's just hope I can deliver the goods, right????

    Cannot WAIT to get back to my own computer where I can get e-mail and Internet ALL the time and chat more.

    MAJOR HUGS,
    Julie
    Hugs,
    Julie

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  18. Awesome giveaway! Thanks so much for entering me! On my list of "Can't Wait to Read" are ...

    A Hope Undaunted
    A Memory Between Us
    Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington

    And about 100 more!!!

    If I win, I'd like Never say Never, This Fine Life, and The Edge of Light.

    +3 I am a follower

    Thank you!
    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

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  19. i am so looking forward to reading 'a hope undaunted.'

    i'm a follower

    a fabulous giveaway :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  20. Fun giveaway! My 10's are:
    Surrender the Heart
    A Hope Undaunted
    Serendipity

    I'm a follower.
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

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  21. My Can't-Wait-Read is "Sixteen Brides" by Stephanie Grace Whitson, because I like anything she writes. :)
    I also really want to read "The Song Weaver" by B.J. Hoff--I read the first two in the series but haven't gotten that one, yet.

    hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. I want to read:

    1. Latte Daze by Erynn Mangum
    2. Paperdoll by Natalie Lloyd
    3. Radical by David Platt.

    That's my top three!

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  23. I really want to read:

    1. Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman
    2. Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist
    3. The Jewel of His Heart by Maggie Brendan

    showcasesisters at gmail dot com

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  24. Hey Ashley,
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    oh...i have SOO many books that i CANT wait to read! Here's a few:

    (1)Licensed for Trouble by Susan May Warren
    (2)Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
    (3)Serendipity by Cathy Maire Hake
    (4)Back on Murder by Mark Bertrand
    (5)Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
    (6)Surrender The Heart by M.L. Tyndall

    I'm already one of your followers.
    dymesich(at)juno(dot)com

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  25. Here is my can't wait to read of the moment:

    The Edge Of Light by Anne Shorey

    I also can't wait to read:
    The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman

    They look so good!!!

    I will become a follower today, so please enter me in this giveaway! I would be so excited to win!!! :)

    stc1125@yahoo.com

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  26. Hey Ashley, I found you through Carmen's blog : ) I have not had the chance to read any of Julie's books, but I can't wait to start! As for my top ten, I am anxious for Serendipity by Cathy Marie Hake as well, Surrender the Heart by Marylu Tyndall, The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson, Petra by T.L. Higley and Head in the Clouds by Karen Whitmeyer. I became a follower today, and I would love to win, so please enter me in the contest!

    potosrose(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. WOW,I leave for a few days and all these wonderful comments pop up; I hope I’ll be able to respond to each one.
    Here we go:
    CASEY~ I'm sorry I made your more miserable I didn't mean to. ;)
    I've been waiting for forever to read A Tailor-Made Bride, too. But, I'm too stingy to bring myself to go out and buy it from the book store. I guess I'll just have to wait a little bit longer, till its post on Paperback Swap.com. And isn't fun how you can win the books you've been waiting to read, for free? That's one reason I LOVE blogs. :)

    JOY~ I'm glad Goodreads finally pulled through for me.LOL And I'm so glad you're here and you entered the giveaway.
    I was just at Barnes & Noble’s, and saw this table out with tons of books on it with the sign "Greats Books To Read Till Mockingjay Is Released.” I Mockingjay part of a series? It looked good in the store, but I didn't get to read any of it.

    TAMMY~ This Fine Life was really good and it was really interesting how it was set in the 60's. And I'm so glad I've got at least one person's top 10 book in the giveaway ;)

    Cindy~ I'm really excited about both The Lightkeeper's Bride and A Memory Between Us, too.

    Sara~ I have all three of those books are on my can't-wait-to-read, as well.

    Ariel~ I've never heard of Poison by Chris Wooding. What's it about?

    Michelle~ Oh. My. Word!!! I'm so happy you're getting to read APMP! It is such a GREAT book; I hope you're enjoying it as much as I did. I think I stayed up till 5 AM the same night I got it. I finished it the next day; Which for me is no easy feat. ;)

    Anonymous~ Doesn’t Embers of Love, look good?

    Diane~ I'm happy you were able to find me through Carmen! And The Protector is on my wish list, so I'm glad you liked it so much.

    Carmen~ Thank you so much for becoming a follower! And good luck in the giveaway

    Patsy~ I have most of those on my wish list, and I'm hoping I'll get the chance to read them soon.

    Janet~ I LOVED Francine River's Redeeming Love. It was so, good!! And their making it into a movie as well. I just hope that it will be just as good at the book.
    Janet, I'm so sorry about this, but this contest isn't open to non-US citizens. But, I promise next time I host a giveaway, I'll open it up to all of North America. So check back soon. :)

    Amber~ I love promoting my blogger friends' blogs. So, it was my pleasure. ;)
    I definitely know what you mean about being afraid that you're going to be swamped with homework, when AHU comes. I was thinking the same thing not two minutes ago.LOL ;)
    If you're going to order Courting Morrow Little from Amazon, I'd love to send you my copy, instead. :) Just send me e-mail and let me know. ;)

    Love Y'all,
    Ashley

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  28. It's about a girl whose sister gets snatched by phaeries and she has to go off into the world of dreams to save her. It's really good :)

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  29. I would love to be entered to win. I am a new follower.

    My picks would be Sixteen Brides, This Fine Life and The Edge of Light

    jmschwindt at cox dot net

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  30. Ashley,

    You are so super sweet! (I've told you that many times now, haven't I? But that's because it's true!) Thank you for offering to send me your copy of Courting Morrow Little, but I'm good. ;) I won an Amazon.com giftcard at the Seekerville blog, and I've been saving it specifically for the purpose of buying CML, just as soon as I get back to school!

    Thank you again for the offer, though! And hopefully LFY in Maiden, North Carolina will be winging its way to you tomorrow or Friday. :) I have it packaged and ready to go!

    ~Amber

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  31. There are so many books that I am excited about reading and/or waiting for to come out. A Hope Undaunted is one of them that I am eagerly awaiting. I'm also excited to read Driftwood Lane: A Nantucket Love Story, Head in the Clouds, Never the Bride, any book by Ronie Kendig, Walker's Wedding, Courting Morrow Little, The Mailbox, and Thicker than Blood. Thank you for having the book giveaway contest.
    cynthiakchow (at) earthlink (dot) net

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  32. I am a new follower.
    I would be ok winning any of them except Never Say Never as I am reading that now!
    My can't wait to read book is Francine Rivers newest one. (I have many more but I will post just one.)
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  33. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  34. I'd love to win A Love of Her OWN. PLUS THE FEATURE BOOK. COOL

    +2 for new follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  35. My "can't wait to read" book is the sequel to Francine Rivers latest series, Her Daughter's Dream. I have heard great things about Julie Lessman's books and I can't wait to read one of her books.

    Thanks!

    Sheri

    hspruitt {at} juno {dot} com

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  36. Wow I think it would be hard to pick 10...I read a couple of books a week. I also "Love" anything by Cathy Marie Hake. Beverly Lewis has to be on my list along with Cindy Woodsmall, and Mary Ellis. I want Susan Meissner's new book. If I'm in my car I listen to audio book...the miles fly by fast!
    I am a follower!
    Carman sent me.

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  37. Carmen sent me. Thanks for entering me in the drawing.

    Jennifer
    avidreader at middleswarth dot net

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  38. I would love to read any of the books. Those I am anxiously waiting to purchase: Where the Heart Leads, Colleen Coble's newest, Francine Rivers's newest, Hope Undaunted....and many more. Thanks for entering me.
    jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

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  39. Thanks for counting down to Julie Lessman's new book - my daughter and I (and the rest of our family!) love her books! Last time the new book released, my sister beat me to the store to buy one, now this time I thot I'd be smart and order one online... well, my daughter calls me yesterday and saw Julie's journal jots that Sam's had the book in stock - so, I rush to Sam's but sadly they didn't have it yet!! and then to top it off, my daughter goes to our local Christian bookstore today and finds it! She bought one and I went back later and bought my own copy plus one to give to my sister! just started reading the book and love it already!! thanks Julie for writing!!

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  40. Joetta~ Would you happen to be the same Joetta, Julie once told me about, something about you being her "SECOND TOTALLY OBSESSED FAN"? If you are one-in-the-same, well I feel as if I’m meeting a celebrity. I'm so glad you stopped by Joetta, and I hope that you join me on Wednesday for the release party of AHU, even if you already have a copy sitting in your hands (making you one lucky lady).
    I hope you have a great rest of the week and I hope to see you on Wednesday, Joetta!
    Love Ya,
    Ashley

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  41. I'd love to be entered in this giveaway, but fear I'm abit late? Anyhoo, enjoying your blog and my number 10 would be "Sixteen Brides" and Serendipity by Cathy Marie Hakes. So many more on my wishlist!

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

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  42. I wanna be in it!! I wasn't sure if you knew that *wink* I joined near the end, but ummm it's better than nothing! Lol!
    Hannah

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