Tuesday Edition of Contests Galore

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Good Morning!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and now looking forward to a bright New Year. 

No promises that I'll get another contest roundup posted the rest of this week as dh will be off work a few days this week for the holiday and we're remodeling a spare bathroom to make it into a laundry room and storage room..

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Welcome to another Edition of Contests Galore!

Each day brings new contests from around the blogosphere and sometimes beyond.  If you would like to be included in one of the Editions of Contest Galore, please use the Contact Form to send me your giveaway/contest information.

If you love these daily editions of contests galore, put me in your feed reader or sign up for to get my post via email so you don't miss the new roundup.

You MUST visit the contest links below to enter.

No entries are accepted on this post.

If you are unsure if you've entered a contest already, do a search for your username.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for another edition.

Thanks for stopping by and Good luck!

Laura

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Goodies to Check Out:

1. Free 400 Digital Prints and Photobook

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Peanut Butter and Pickle Reviews
Book: Tiny Toes by Kelly Damron
http://pbandpickles.blogspot.com/2008/12/tiny-toes-by-kelly-damron.html
Ends December 30th at Midnight EST
US Only

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Prize: I'm Turning Green Book

Site:  http://www.thelittleenvironmentalists.com/

Hoop: 

This contest is open to all readers living in the Continental United States. To get your first entry, leave a comment about what you do to help our environment? You can also tweet about this giveaway and link to me. Please leave your tweet in the comments.If you do not do the first required entry, you will be disqualified. You may come back each day and enter (again) after you do the first rule, just leave a comment about what other ways are great for being "green." Click here to see how you can earn extra credits to win, and click here to see guidelines and the official rules.

Contest will end on January 1, 2009 at 11:59PM CST. GOOD LUCK!Link: http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/2008/12/im-turning-green-book-review-and.html

Retail value:  $8.00

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Prize: Win 2 Nintendo DS games from the Game Factory!

Site: http://www.gamefactorygames.com/

Hoop: 

This contest is open to all readers living in the Continental United States. To get your first entry, leave a comment about what your holiday plans are/were. You can also tweet about this giveaway and link to me. Please leave your tweet in the comments.
If you do not do the first required entry, you will be disqualified. You may come back each day and enter (again) after you do the first rule, just leave a comment about what other games you like for the Nintendo DS. Click here to see how you can earn extra credits to win, and click here to see guidelines and the official rules.

Contest will end on January 1, 2009 at 11:59PM CST. GOOD LUCK.

Link: http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/2008/12/win-2-nintendo-ds-games-from-game.html

Retail value: $60.00 ($29.99 for each game)

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Peanut Butter and Pickle Reviews
Magabys Kid-ture Etsy Shop: Custom Appliqued Shirt
http://pbandpickles.blogspot.com/2008/12/magabys-kid-ture-boutique.html
Ends January 2 @ Midnight EST
US Only

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The Slanket

http://www.thriftyandchicmom.com/2008/12/slanket-giveaway.html

win a blanket with sleeves from The Slanket

ends 1/2

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Host: A Wrestling Addicted Mommy
Link: http://lyricandariasmom.blogspot.com/2008/12/keep-it-dust-free.html
Prize: Can of Pledge
How To Enter: Comment on post
Deadline: Jan. 2, 2009

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NurseMOmmy

LTDChix shirt

ends 1/2

begins now

US only

tell me your fav color and size

http://nursemommy07.blogspot.com/2008/12/ltdchix-review-and-contest.html

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The Cool Mom Guide
http://www.coolmomguide.com/ff-contest/
Sun Hat/Sunglasses combo from Baby Banz
enter via comments
by 1/3/09

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purplepinkandorange
http://www.purplepinkandorange.com/blog/?p=4071
silk-screened tote and greeting card featuring an original illustration from Megan Lee Designs
comment on post with favorite item from this shop
1/3/09 deadline
open to USA/Canada residents

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Host: A Wrestling Addicted Mommy
Link: http://lyricandariasmom.blogspot.com/2008/12/escape-in-game.html
Prize: 2 Zenses Games for Nintendo DS System
How To Enter: Comment on post after visiting sponsor site
Deadline: Jan. 3, 2009
US Only!

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Wii Fit Mommies
http://fitness.coolmomguide.com/mommies-party
Flip Video Camera
enter via commenting
closes 1/3/09

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Prize: Winners choice of shirt from Trendy Remedy or Baby Rock Apparel. Three winners will be chosen. All participants receive 15% discount off purchases in either shop using applicable coupon code contained in the giveaway post.
How to Enter: Leave a comment on the giveaway post naming favorite items from Trendy Remedy and Baby Rock Apparel.
Deadline to Enter: Jan 3, 2008

http://www.lethallyblondediary.com/2008/12/trendy-remedy-baby-rock-apparel-this-is.html

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LoveEtsyFeedback
http://loveetsyfeedback.blogspot.com/2008/12/feature-93-win-throw-blanket.html
win a throw blanket from Sygnetcreations
Comment on blog post
Ends 1/04/09
US only

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"Under New Management" t-shirt from Loyal Army ends 1/4 http://tinyurl.com/7ruqzk

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Heritage Foods Organic Milk Giveaway (So. Cal. residents only) ends 1/5 http://tinyurl.com/8jdq9l

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http://www.momstart.com/2008/12/national-security-mom-giveaway.html

Momstart is giving away Everything We Need to know about National Security we can learn from our children.
Ends Jan 5
US Entries only

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Name of your site:                                            The Post-It Place                  

Name of Product:                                             Vaseline Clinical Therapy          

Deadline to enter                                              Jan 5 at 5 PM EST

US addresses or world-wide?                           US Addresses Only

A live link to the contest/giveaway post             http://thepost-itplace.com/?p=15149

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giving away a great book for Mother's called Small Blessings.

http://glitterfulfeltstories.blogspot.com/2008/12/glitterful-felt-stories-giveaway-small.html

Deadline: January 5, 2009

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Win a Resilient Tee from Words to Live By

US only

nursemommy

ends 1/6

http://nursemommy07.blogspot.com/2008/12/words-to-live-by-contest-for-resilient.html

tell me one other saying on a words to live by shirt

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Prize: 6-pack of Balance for Children

Site: http://www.balancewater.com/

Hoop: 

This contest is open to all readers living in the Continental United States. To get your first entry, leave a comment about what you like about Balance water? You can also tweet about this giveaway and leave the url in your comment. If you do not do the first required entry, you will be disqualified. You may come back each day and enter (again) after you do the first rule, just leave a comment about what you do to give your kids healthy options for snacks/drinks. Click here to see how you can earn extra credits to win, and click here to see guidelines and the official rules.

Link: http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/2008/12/balance-for-children-enter-to-win.html

Retail value:  $8.29

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Prize:  A book from Candlewick Press

Site:  http://www.candlewick.com/

Hoop: 

This contest is open to all readers living in the Continental United States. To get your first entry, check out the books at Candlewick Press, find one that interests you (besides the ones I mentioned) and comment about it. Please let me know what book you would like to win of those that I mentioned, too! If you do not do the first required entry, you will be disqualified. You may come back each day and enter (again) after you do the first rule, just tweet about this giveaway and leave the url in your comment. Click here to see how you can earn extra credits to win, and click here to see guidelines and the official rules.

Contest will end on January 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM CST. GOOD LUCK!

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Jolly Mom

Boogie Wipes Gift Basket

Ends Jan 7^th

US entries only

http://www.jollymom.com/2008/12/boogie-wipes-review-giveaway.html

                Leave comment on post. Additional entries available.

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Link:  http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/2008/12/candlewick-press-books-plus-giveaway.html

Retail value:  up to $45, for each winner

http://www.fithacker.com/free-gnc-gift-card-656

first 200 to subscribe will be entered into the drawing

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Technorati Tags: contests, giveaways, daily contest roundup, bloggy giveaway, bloggy contest, blog giveaways, blog contest

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

I got a new Binder for my Coupons!

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Well I treated myself to something.

I won $50 recently in a contest and I turned around and splurged with it.

I bought myself a brand spanking new 4" Case-It binder from Amazon and I even splurged for the one day shipping. It arrived yesterday right on time. I am beyond thrilled!

I got the grey one by the way. It's HUGE and stuffed to the gills now with my coupons.

No wonder I had such a hard time with my previous binder busting out at the seams.

How on earth did I get all this into that one in the first place?!?

Isn't my new baby purty?

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

Save Money throughout the year on birthdays, mother's day, etc. by making a "Gift Box

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I do the majority of my gift shopping the day after Christmas because much of the stuff is put on sale from anywhere for 50% or more off regular price. I just keep watching the sales too as I'll still find goodies when the 90% sales come.

I buy and put back items for birthday presents for the children, dh, etc. as well as mother's day and Father's Day gifts, any items I can use as birthday presents that the children will get invited to their friend's birthday parties, etc. Plus I'll pick up a few extra things to have on hand for the ladies' day at church, ladies Christmas party the next year, etc. And I'll usually find something I can put in there to give to dh on Valentine's Day.

I have a box aka "The Gift Box" that I put all this stuff in my closet. I put sticky notes with the person's name on it the item if I bought it for a particular person/occasion.

This has saved me so much money over the years. I also put in things I get during the year (samples to fill baskets, etc.).

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

Christmas Holiday Edition of Contests Galore

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Merry Christmas to all my readers! 

May God bless you abundantly during this holiday season and keep you safe.  

I hope you enjoy your holiday surrounded with friends and family and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

This will be the last edition of Contests Galore for this week so that I may enjoy the holiday with family.

Warm wishes,

Laura

 

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Welcome to another Edition of Contests Galore!

Each day brings new contests from around the blogosphere and sometimes beyond.  If you would like to be included in one of the Editions of Contest Galore, please use the Contact Form to send me your giveaway/contest information.

If you love these daily editions of contests galore, put me in your feed reader or sign up for to get my post via email so you don't miss the new roundup.

You MUST visit the contest links below to enter.

No entries are accepted on this post.

If you are unsure if you've entered a contest already, do a search for your username.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for another edition.

Thanks for stopping by and Good luck!

Laura

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Goodies to Check Out:

1. Free 400 Digital Prints and Photobook

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HOST or NAME OF BLOG: Enter Now!!
CONTEST LINK: http://mediamafia.org/enter_now/?p=1209
PRIZE: A Beta Key Code for the upcoming game "Freaky Creatures"
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment on the contest post! Bonus entries available too.
DEADLINE TO ENTER: Dec 31

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Cabrio clutch from Lychee Line ends 12/29 http://www.thriftyandchicmom.com/2008/12/lychee-line-giveaway.html

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Avon hair products ends 12/28 http://www.thriftyandchicmom.com/2008/12/avon-hair-products-giveaway.html

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Name of your site:                                            The Post-It Place                  

Name of Product:                                             Zenses Nintendo DS Game

Deadline to enter                                              Jan 1^st at Noon EST

US addresses or world-wide?                           US Addresses Only

A live link to the contest/giveaway post             http://thepost-itplace.com/?p=1512

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Jolly Mom

Rakkiddo Giveaway

January 5th

US addresses only

http://www.jollymom.com/2008/12/rakkido-giveaway.html

Leave comment on post. Additional entries available.

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http://petitelefant.blogspot.com/2008/12/5th-day-of-christmas-giveaway-4-nankeen.html

Giveaway Guidelines:
1. To enter the Nankeen Necktie Giveaway leave a comment on this post telling why the man in your life needs this gorgeous tie.
2. If you blog about this, you get an extra entry. Email me to let me know you've posted about it with a link to the post.
3. If you put the Petit Elefant Button up on your blog you can get an additional entry, send me an email with a link to your blog so I can verify.
4. If you twitter about it, you will receive an additional entry. Again, email me. This means you can get THREE {total} extra entries for this giveaway! What are you waiting for? Shoo!
5. Leave only one comment please.
6. Anonymous comments will be deleted.
7. One winner will be chosen and announced Tuesday, December 23nd on Petit Elefant.
8. If I don't hear from you within 7 days to claim your giveaway another winner will be chosen.
9. Good luck!

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http://petitelefant.blogspot.com/2008/12/5th-day-of-christmas-giveaway-3-from.html

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http://petitelefant.blogspot.com/2008/12/5th-day-of-christmas-giveaway-2-family.html

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http://petitelefant.blogspot.com/2008/12/5th-day-of-christmas-giveaway-1.html

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http://petitelefant.blogspot.com/2008/12/6th-day-of-christmas-snorg-tee-giveaway.html

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LoveEtsyFeedback
http://loveetsyfeedback.blogspot.com/2008/12/feature-91-win-onsie.html
win a onsie from Oliveandollie
Comment on blog post
Ends 12/27/08
US only

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purplepinkandorange
http://www.purplepinkandorange.com/blog/?p=3973
set of letterpress hedgehog coasters and tree vinyl wall art from the pear project
comment on post with favorite item from the pear project
12/27/08 at midnight
open to all

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Prize: 3 products from the Nature's Baby Organics website

Site: http://www.naturesbabyproducts.com/

Hoop: 

This contest is open to all readers living in the Continental United States. To get your first entry, you need to go to the Nature's Baby Organics website, and look at all the great products they offer. Pick out 3 of the products that interest you the most. You must Tweet this giveaway to get your first entry, and leave a comment about the Tweet! Also, in your comment let me know the 3 products you would like to win, if your name is the chosen winner. If you do not do the first required entry, you will be disqualified. You may come back each day and enter (again) after you do the first rule, just leave a comment about what you like about the Nature's Baby Organics products. Click here to see how you can earn extra credits to win, and click here to see guidelines and the official rules. Contest will end on January 1, 2009 at 11:59PM CST. GOOD LUCK.

Link: http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/2008/12/natures-baby-organics-products-review.html

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NurseMommy

-Win a train set from Wild Dill

-ends 12/30

-tell me one wild dill product you would love to try

- http://nursemommy07.blogspot.com/2008/12/wild-dill-review.html

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http://somethingsnappee.blogspot.com/2008/12/7th-generation-birthday-bash-day-14.html

Seventh Generation Living Home Starter Kit

Enter to win a $40 Starter Kit from Seventh Generation!
US Residents only please - ends January 1, 2009

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Host: Hot Beauty Health
Contest Link: http://www.hotbeautyhealth.com/skin/hot-beauty-health-giveaway-kiehls-creme-de-corps-collection
Prize: Kiehls Creme de Corps Collection
How to enter: Fill out form on site

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www.sharesomethingsweet.com
To promote awareness about Share Our Strength during this holiday season, we'd like to offer to provide you with two (or more? or just some for yourself?) Ferrero Chocolate Christmas Tree gift boxes filled with Ferrero chocolates to give away to two of your readers. All you have to do is host the giveaway and we'd handle shipping the products to the winners and everything!
This partnership is in its second year, and this year Ferrero has donated $150,000 to Share Our Strength and is giving others a chance to add to that donation. Right now, if you log on to Share Something Sweet and use it to "send something sweet" (that is, a customizable e-card), Ferrero will donate another $1 per e-card sent, up to $10,000. And for every person that joins the Ferrero Facebook page, "Ferrero Lovers Unite," Ferrero will donate another $1 to Share Our Strength (up to $1,000):
http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/FerreroR-Lovers-Unite/26098488476

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Enter to win Fisher Price toys, comment on blog with which toy from the infant line you like most, which toy you would like to win of the 2 listed on my blog, and your email address. Lots of extras available per email address, giveaway ends 1/2/09

http://hermashaw.blogspot.com/2008/12/toys.html

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Enter to win 2 bottles of Pledge, one bottle of Pledge Allergen reducer & one bottle of the original Pledge that makes your furniture beautiful! http://hermashaw.blogspot.com/2008/12/pledge.html

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LoveEtsyFeedback
http://loveetsyfeedback.blogspot.com/2008/12/feature-90-2-win-set-of-3-mirrors.html
win set of 3 mirrors (2 win) from Littlepinkplum
Comment on blog post
Ends 12/26/08
US only

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Peanut Butter and Pickle Reviews
Munny Journey Journal
http://pbandpickles.blogspot.com/2008/12/munny-journey.html
Ends December 26th @ Midnight EST US Only

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Technorati Tags: contests, giveaways, daily contest roundup, bloggy giveaway, bloggy contest, blog giveaways, blog contest

Posts May Contain Affiliate Links, Read my Disclosure Policy

FIRST WILD CARD BLOG TOUR: The Winter of Candy Canes by Debbie Viguié

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It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Debbie Viguié

and the book:

The Winter of Candy Canes

Zondervan (October 1, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Debbie Viguié has been writing for most of her life. She has experimented with poetry and nonfiction, but her true passion lies in writing novels.

She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing from UC Davis. While at Davis she met her husband, Scott, at auditions for a play. It was love at first sight.

Debbie and Scott now live on the island of Kauai. When Debbie is not writing and Scott has time off they love to indulge their passion for theme parks.


The Sweet Seasons Novels:

The Summer of Cotton Candy
The Fall of Candy Corn
The Winter of Candy Canes
The Spring of Candy Apples


Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $ 9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310717523
ISBN-13: 978-0310717522

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Candace Thompson was once again eye-to-eye with Lloyd Peterson, hiring manager for The Zone theme park. This time, though, she felt far more confident. She had already spent her summer working as a cotton candy vendor, and she had worked one of the mazes for the annual Halloween event. She had even saved the park from saboteurs.

Now she was back, and this time she was interviewing for a job working the Christmas events at the park. Surely after everything she had done for the Scare event, she had nothing to worry about. She tucked a strand of red hair back behind her ear as she gazed intently at the man across from her.

“So you want to work Holly Daze?” he asked.

She nodded. Christmas at The Zone was a big deal, and the park began its official celebrations the day after Thanksgiving.

“You keep hiring on for short bursts of time and then leaving. Do you have some sort of problem committing to things?” he asked, staring hard at her.

She was stunned, but answered, “I don’t have any problem with commitment. I signed on to do specific things, and the jobs ended. That’s not my fault. I didn’t quit.”

“So, you plan on making a habit of this?” he demanded. “Are you going to show up here again in a -couple of months expecting me to give you some kind of job for spring break?”

“No, I — ”

“I know your type,” he said, standing up abruptly. “You’re just a party girl. No commitments . . . no cares . . . just grab some quick cash and get out. You think you can handle Holly Daze? Well, you can’t! You’re weak and a quitter. You’re going to bail on me as soon as your school vacation starts, and then what? Well, let me tell you, missy. You aren’t wanted here. So just pack your bags and get out!”

By the end of his tirade, he was shouting, eyes bulging behind his glasses and tie swinging wildly as he shook his finger under her nose. Candace recoiled, sure that he had finally flipped out. I’m going to end up as a headline: Girl Murdered by Stressed-Out Recruiter, she thought wildly. Well, I’m not going down without a fight! She jumped to her feet and put some distance between her and the wildly wagging finger.

“You need to calm down!” she said, projecting her voice like her drama teacher had taught her. Her voice seemed to boom in the tiny office. “Pull yourself together. You’re a representative of this theme park, and there is no call to insult me. Furthermore, I’m not a quitter. I’ll work for the entire Christmas season. Then the next time I come in here, I’ll expect you to treat me with some respect. Do you even realize what I’ve done for this park so far? Seriously. Take a chill pill.”

She stopped speaking when she realized that he had gone completely quiet. She held her breath, wondering when the next explosion was going to come. Instead, he sat down abruptly and waved her back to her chair.

“Very good. You passed the test,” he said, picking up a pen.

“What test?” she asked, edging her way back into the chair.

“The ultimate test. You’re going to be one of Santa’s elves.”

“Doesn’t Santa, you know, have his own elves?” she asked, still not sure that he was completely in charge of his senses.

“Of course Santa has his own elves. However, when he’s here at The Zone we supply him with courtesy elves so that they can continue making toys at the North Pole,” Mr. Peterson told her.

“So, I’m going to be a courtesy elf?” she asked.

He nodded and handed her a single sheet of paper. “Sign this.”

She took it. “What? Just one thing to sign?” She had expected another huge stack of forms that would leave her hand cramped for hours afterward.

He nodded curtly. “You’re now in our system as a regular seasonal employee. All of your other paperwork transfers.”

“Regular seasonal” sounded like some kind of contradiction to her, but she was still not entirely convinced his outburst had been a test. She scanned it, signed her name, and then handed it back to him.

“Good. Report to wardrobe on Saturday for your costume fitting,” he said.

“Okay, thank you,” she said, standing up and backing toward the door.

“Welcome back, Candy,” he said, smiling faintly.

“Thanks,” she said, before bolting out the door.

As soon as she was outside the building, she whipped out her cell phone and called her friend Josh, a fellow employee of The Zone.

“Well?” he asked when he picked up.

“I think Mr. Peterson has seriously lost it,” she said. “He totally flipped out on me.”

Josh laughed. “Let me guess. You’re going to be an elf.”

“So he was serious? That was some whacked-out test?”

“Yeah. Elves are considered a class-one stress position, and it can get pretty intense.”

“How hard can it be to be an elf?” she asked.

She was rewarded by a burst of laughter on the other end.

“Josh, what is it you’re not telling me?”

He just kept laughing.

“Okay, seriously. You were the one who convinced me to work Holly Daze. I think it’s only fair you tell me whatever it is I need to know.”

“Sorry!” he gasped. She wasn’t sure if he was apologizing or refusing to tell her.

A girl bounced around the corner and slammed into Candace.

“Josh, I’ll call you later,” she said, hanging up.

“Sorry,” Becca apologized.

Becca was one of Candace’s other friends from the park, one who had some sort of bizarre allergy to sugar that made her uncontrollably hyper. Candace looked suspiciously at Becca. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were glistening, and she was hopping from one foot to the other.

“You didn’t have sugar, did you?” Candace asked, fear ripping through her.

“No! Promise,” Becca said.

“Then what gives?”

“Roger made me laugh really hard,” Becca explained.

Roger had a crush on Becca and had wanted to ask her out since Halloween. It hadn’t happened yet.

“Oh,” was all Candace could think to say.

“So, are you working Holly Daze?” Becca asked.

“Yeah. I’m going to be an elf.”

Suddenly, Becca went completely still, and the smile left her face. “I’m sorry,” she said.

“Why?” Candace asked.

Becca just shook her head. “I’ve gotta get back to the Muffin Mansion. I’ll catch you later.”

She hurried off, and Candace watched her go. Okay, now I know there’s something -people aren’t telling me.

She debated about following Becca and forcing her to spill, but instead she headed for the parking lot where her best friend Tamara was waiting. She walked through the Exploration Zone, one of the several themed areas in the park.

The Zone theme park was created and owned by John
Hanson, a former professional quarterback who believed in healthy competition at work and play. His theme park had several areas, or zones, where -people could compete with each other and themselves at just about anything. Almost everyone who worked at The Zone was called a referee. The exceptions were the costumed characters called mascots. Most of them, including Candace’s boyfriend, Kurt, were to be found in the History Zone. -People visiting the park were called players, and the areas of the park they could reach were called on field. Only refs could go off field.

Candace cut through an off field area to get to the referee parking lot. She waved at a few other -people she recognized from her time spent working there. Finally, she slid into her friend’s waiting car.

“So are you going to be the Christmas queen?” Tamara asked.

“What am I, Lucy VanPelt? There’s no Christmas queen in Charlie Brown’s Christmas play, and there’s no Christmas queen in The Zone,” Candace said.

Tamara fake pouted. “Are you sure? I think I’d make a beautiful Christmas queen.”

Candace laughed. Tamara was gorgeous, rich, and fun. Her whole family practically redefined the word wealthy, and, with her dark hair and olive skin, Tamara was usually the prettiest girl in any room. She didn’t let it go to her head, though. Anybody who knew Tamara would vote for her as Christmas queen.

“Although I think you would, they’re only hiring elves.”

“You’re going to be an elf?” Tamara smirked.

“Hey, it beats being a food cart vendor,” Candace said.

“But you’re so good at it. Cotton candy, candy corn . . . you can sell it all.”

“Thanks, I think. So, what are we doing tonight? Kurt’s going to swing by at six to pick us up.” Just mentioning her boyfriend’s name was enough to make Candace smile. She closed her eyes for just a minute and pictured him as she had first seen him — wearing a Lone Ranger costume. With his charm and piercing blue eyes, she had fallen for him right away.

“You told him my house, right?” Tamara said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Yeah. So, who’s this guy you’re taking?”

Tamara sighed. “Mark.”

“Uh-huh. And?”

“Remember my cousin Tina?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, she broke up with him over the summer, and he’s been all shattered since then. He won’t date other girls; he just mopes over her.”

“Attractive,” Candace said sarcastically.

“Tell me about it. Well, Tina asked me if I could help him get his confidence back and get over her or something.”

“A pity date? Are you kidding me? You want Kurt and I to double date with you on a pity date?”

“You don’t think I’m about to go by myself, do you? No way. That’s the best-friend creed. When you’re happy, I’m happy. When I’m miserable, you have to be too.”

“Great,” Candace said, rolling her eyes. “So, where are we going?”

“That’s the problem. I was thinking dinner, but then we’d have to talk, and frankly, I don’t want to hear him go on about Tina. Then I thought we could see a movie.”

“You wouldn’t have to talk to him,” Candace confirmed.

“Yeah, but what if — ”

“He tries to grab a hand or put his arm around you.”

“Exactly, and I don’t think me giving him a black eye was what Tina had in mind.”

“I guess that also rules out any kind of concert possibilities?” Candace asked wistfully.

“Yup. Sorry.”

“So, what did you come up with?”

“I was thinking . . . theme park?”

“No way. Kurt doesn’t like to spend his downtime there.”

“I thought he took you to that romantic dinner there over the summer.”

“It was the nicest restaurant he knew, and he got an employee discount.”

“Charming,” Tamara said.

“Plus, ever since we got trapped in there overnight, he’s been even more adamant about avoiding it when he’s off work.”

“I can’t believe you two get to be the stuff of urban legend, and you don’t even appreciate it.”

Candace sighed. It was true that she and Kurt had spent one of the most miserable nights of their relationship trapped inside the theme park. Urban legend, though, had since transformed the story so that they were supposedly chased through the park by a psycho killer. It was still embarrassing to have -people point at her and say that she was the one. Around Halloween she had given up trying to correct -people. They were going to believe what they wanted.

“Earth to Candace. Helloooo?”

“Sorry. So, what does that leave us with? Shopping?”

“No need to torture both our dates,” Tamara said.

“Then what?”

“I don’t — miniature golf!” Tamara suddenly shrieked, so loudly that Candace jumped and slammed her head into the roof of the car.

“Tam! Don’t scare me like that.”

“Sorry. Miniature golf. What do you think? Built-in talking points, lots of movement, and zero grabby potential.”

“I like it. I’ll have to borrow one of your jackets though.”

“At least you’ll have an actual excuse this time,” Tamara teased.

A few minutes later they were at Tamara’s house and upstairs raiding her wardrobe. As Tamara considered and discarded a fifth outfit, Candace threw up her hands.

“Maybe if you’d tell me what you’re looking for, I could help.”

“I’m looking for something, you know, nunlike.”

Candace stared at her friend for a moment before she burst out laughing. She fell to the floor, clutching her stomach as tears streamed down her face. Tamara crossed her arms and tapped her foot, and Candace just laughed harder.

“I don’t know why you think that’s so funny. You know I don’t go past kissing.”

“Tam, nuns can’t even do that. And if you’re looking for something that will completely hide your body, then you’re going to have to go to the mall instead of the closet. You don’t own anything that doesn’t say ‘look at me.’ I’m sorry, but it’s true.”

“Really? Maybe we should go to your house. Think I could find what I’m looking for in your closet?”

“Not since I started dating and mom made me throw out all my old camp T-shirts,” Candace said with a grin.

“Then hello, you’ve got no call to laugh.”

Candace stood up, stomach still aching from laughing so hard. “Tam, I’m not criticizing. I’m just telling you, you’re not going to find what you’re looking for.”

Tam reached into the closet. “Oh, yeah, what about this?” she asked, producing jeans and a black turtleneck.

“If you’re going for the secret agent look, it’s a good choice.”

Tamara threw the jeans at her, and Candace ducked.

“I could wear some black pants with this. Would that be too funereal?

“For a pity date? Go for it.”

Candace opted to borrow Tamara’s discarded jeans instead of wearing the skirt she had brought with her. They turned out to be slightly tighter on her than they were on Tam, and she had to admit when she paired them with her red scoop-neck top that she looked really good.

When Kurt arrived a few minutes later, he whistled when he saw her.

“Keep the jeans,” Tamara whispered to her. “Obviously, they work for you.”

Kurt then looked at Tamara and frowned slightly. “Did you just come from a funeral?”

“No, but thank you for thinking so,” Tamara said with a smirk.

“I don’t — ”

Candace put her finger over his lips. “Don’t ask,” she advised him.

He smiled and kissed her finger, which made her giggle.

The doorbell rang again, and Candace turned, eager to see the infamous Mark.

Tamara opened the door, and Candace sucked in her breath. Mark was gorgeous. He had auburn hair, piercing green eyes, and model-perfect features. He was almost as tall as Kurt, and he was stunning in khaki Dockers and a green Polo shirt.

“Hi,” he said, smiling.

Tamara glanced at her and rolled her eyes.

“Hi, Mark.”

Kurt drove, and Candace was quick to slide into the front seat with him, leaving Tamara and Mark to the back. She shook her head. Mark was not her idea of a pity date in any sense of the word. Maybe Tamara would come around if she actually talked to him.

They made it to the miniature golf course and were soon on the green. Candace got a hole in one on the first time up to putt, and Kurt gave her a huge reward kiss.

When they moved on to the next hole, Tamara whispered in her ear, “Thanks a lot. This is supposed to be a no grabby zone. Now Mark will be getting ideas.”

“Tam, you really need to relax a little.”

They made it through the course in record time, and Kurt gave Candace another kiss for winning by one stroke. After turning in their clubs, the guys headed inside to order pizza while Candace and Tamara went to the restroom.

“This date is the worst,” Tamara groaned once they were alone.

“What’s wrong with you? He’s gorgeous.”

“Really? I guess I just can’t see past the Tina mope.”

“What mope? He hasn’t even mentioned her, and he’s done nothing but smile all night. You should totally take him to Winter Formal.”

“No way. This is a one-date-only kind of thing. I’m not taking him to Winter Formal.”

“Fine. Suit yourself. I’m just telling you that if it weren’t for Kurt, I’d be taking him to Winter Formal.”

Tamara laughed.

“As if. There’s no way you’d ask a guy out.”

“I don’t know. You might be surprised.”

“It’s a moot point anyway. I’ll find someone to take.”

“You could always take Josh,” Candace suggested.

“You’re not setting me up with Josh, so just forget it.”

“Fine.”

“Find out for me, though, if Santa needs a Mrs. Claus,” Tamara said.

“You’re going to find some way to be the Christmas queen, aren’t you?” Candace asked.

“Even if I have to marry old Saint Nick.”

They both laughed.

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FIRST WILD CARD BLOG TOUR: Before the Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard

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It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Linore Rose Burkard

and the book:

Before the Season Ends

Harvest House Publishers (December 1, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Linore Rose Burkard lives with her husband, five children, and ninety-year-old grandmother in southeastern Ohio. She homeschooled her children for ten years. Raised in New York, she graduated magna cum laude from the City University of New York (Queens College) with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. Ms. Burkard wrote Before the Season Ends because she could not find a book like it anywhere. "There are Christian books that approach this genre," she says, "but they fall short of being a genuine Regency. I finally gave up looking and wrote the book myself." She has begun four other works of fiction in the category.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $ 12.99
Paperback: 348 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (December 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736925511
ISBN-13: 978-0736925518

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Chesterton, Hertfordshire

England

1813

Something would have to be done about Ariana.

All winter Miss Ariana Forsythe, aged nineteen, had been going about the house sighing.

“Mr. Hathaway is my lot in life!”

She spoke as though the prospect of that life was a great burden to bear, but one which she had properly reconciled herself to. When her declarations met with exasperation or reproach from her family—for no one else was convinced Mr. Hathaway, the rector, was her lot—she usually responded in a perplexed manner. Hadn't they understood for an age that her calling was to wed a man of the cloth? Was there another man of God, other than their rector, available to her? No. It only stood to reason, therefore, that Mr. Hathaway was her lot in life. Their cold reception to the thought of the marriage was unfathomable.

When she was seventeen, (a perfectly respectable marrying age) she had romantic hopes about a young and brilliant assistant to the rector, one Mr. Stresham. It was shortly after meeting him, in fact, that she had formed the opinion the Almighty was calling her to marry a man of God. Mr. Stresham even had the approval of her parents. But the man took a situation in another parish without asking Ariana to accompany him as his wife. She was disappointed, but not one to give up easily, continued to speak of “the calling,” waiting in hope for another Mr. Stresham of sorts. But no man came. And now she had reached the conclusion that Mr. Hathaway--Mr. Hathaway, the rector, (approaching the age of sixty!) would have to do.

Her parents, Charles and Julia Forsythe, were sitting in their comfortably furnished morning room, Julia with a cup of tea before her, and Charles with his newspaper. A steady warmth was emanating from the hearth.

“What shall we do about Ariana?” Mrs. Forsythe, being an observant mama, had been growing in her conviction that the situation called for some action.

“What do you suggest, my dear?” Her husband reluctantly folded his paper; he knew his wife wanted a discussion of the matter and that he would get precious little reading done until she had got it.

She held up a folded piece of foolscap: the annual letter from Agatha Bentley, Charles’s sister, asking for Alberta, the eldest Forsythe daughter, for the season in London. It had arrived the day before.

Aunt Bentley was a childless wealthy widow and a hopeless socialite. For the past three years she had written annually to tell her brother and his wife why they ought to let her sponsor their eldest daughter for a London season. She owned a house in Mayfair (could anything be more respectable than that?) and knew a great deal of the big-wigs in society. She had, in fact, that most important of commodities which the Forsythes completely lacked: connexions. And as Charles’s family were her only living relatives, she was prepared--even anxious--to serve as chaperon for her niece.

Much to the lady's frustration, Julia and Charles had annually extinguished her hopes, replying to her letters graciously but with the inevitable, “We cannot countenance a separation from our child at this time,” and so on. Charles was unflinching on this point, never doubting his girls would reap a greater benefit by remaining beneath his own roof. They knew full well, moreover, that Aunt Agatha could not hope, with all her money and connexions to find as suitable a husband for their offspring as was possible right in Chesterton.

Why not? For the profound reason that Aunt Bentley had no religion whatsoever.

And yet, due to the distressing state of affairs with Ariana, Julia wished to consider her latest offer. With the letter waving in her hand she said, “I think we ought to oblige your sister this year. She must be lonely, poor thing, and besides removing Ariana from the parish, a visit to the city could prove beneficial for her education.”

Ariana’s father silently considered the matter. His eldest daughter Alberta was as good as wed, having recently accepted an offer of marriage--to no one’s surprise--from John Norledge. Ariana, his second eldest, had been irksome in regard to the rector, but to pack her off to London? Surely the situation was not so dire as to warrant such a move.

“I think there is nothing else for it,” Mrs. Forsythe said emphatically. “Ariana is determined about Mr. Hathaway and, even though we can forbid her to speak to the man, she will pine and sigh and like as not drive me to distraction!”

Taking a pipe out of his waistcoat pocket (though he never smoked), Mr. Forsythe absently rubbed the polished wood in his fingers.

“I recall other fanciful notions of our daughter’s,” he said finally, “and they slipped away in time. Recall, if you will, when she was above certain her destiny was to be a missionary--to America. That desire faded. She fancies this, she fancies that; soon she will fancy another thing entirely, and we shan’t hear another word about the ‘wonderful rector’ again.”

Mrs. Forsythe’s countenance, still attractive in her forties, became fretful.

“I grant that she has had strong…affections before. But this time, my dear, it is a complicated affection for in this case it is the heart of the ah, affected, which we must consider. It has ideas of its own.”

“Of its own?”

Mrs. Forsythe looked about the room to be certain no one else had entered. The servants were so practiced at coming and going quietly, their presence might not be marked. But no, there was only the two of them. She lowered her voice anyway.

“The rector! I do not think he intends to lose her! What could delight him more than a young, healthy wife who might fill his table with offspring?”

Mr. Forsythe shook his head.”Our rector is not the man to think only of himself; he must agree with us on the obvious unsuitability of the match.”

The rector was Thaddeus Admonicus Hathaway, of the Church in the Village Square. Mr. Hathaway was a good man. His sermons were grounded in sound religion, which meant they were based on orthodox Christian teaching. He was clever, and a popular dinner guest of the gentry, including the Forsythes. If these had not been true of him, Mr. Forsythe might have been as concerned as his wife. Knowing Mr. Hathaway, however, Charles Forsythe did not think a drastic action such as sending his daughter to the bustling metropolis of London, was necessary.

Mrs. Forsythe chose not to argue with her spouse. She would simply commit the matter to prayer. If the Almighty decided that Ariana must be removed to Agatha’s house, then He would make it clear to her husband. In her years of marriage she had discovered that God was the Great Communicator, and she had no right to try and usurp that power. Her part was to pray, sincerely and earnestly.

Mr. Forsythe gave his judgment: “I fear that rather than exerting a godly influence upon her aunt, Ariana would be drawn astray by the ungodliness of London society.”

“Do you doubt her so much, Charles? This infatuation with Mr. Hathaway merely results from her youth, her admiration for his superior learning, and especially,” she said, leaning forward and giving him a meaningful look, “for lack of a young man who has your approval! Have you not frowned upon every male who has approached her in the past? Why, Mr. Hathaway is the first whom you have failed to frighten off and only because he is our rector! 'Tis little wonder a young girl takes a fanciful notion into her head!”

When he made no answer, she added, while adjusting the frilly morning cap on her head, “Mr. Hathaway causes me concern!”

Mr. Forsythe’s countenance was sober. “’Tis my sister who warrants the concern. She will wish to make a match for our daughter--and she will not be content with just any mister I assure you. In addition to which, a girl as pretty as our daughter will undoubtedly attract attention of the wrong sort.”

Julia was flustered for a second, but countered, “Agatha is no threat to our child. We shall say we are sending Ariana to see the sights, take in the museums and so forth. Surely there is no harm in that. A dinner party here or there should not be of concern. And Ariana is too intelligent to allow herself to be foisted upon an unsuitable man for a fortune or title.”

Too intelligent? He thought of the aging minister that no one had had to “foist” her upon. Aloud he merely said, “I shall speak with her tonight. She shall be brought to reason, depend upon it. There will be no need to pack her off to London.”

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