*Update: Comments are now closed! And I’ve decided that y’all have some of the best hypothetical books around. You had me laughing out loud! Check back soon for our ten winners!
The weekend before last (I know, take a minute to figure that one out. It is Monday after all.), I drove myself to Katy, Texas. (While that may sound like I actually ventured out on a road trip, it really just means I drove 30 minutes across town.) (Also, I’m really into the parenthesis today.)
(I’m currently humoring myself and no one else. I know. Forgive me.)
The reason for my 30-minute road trip was because a sweet lady named Big Mama, I mean, Melanie Shankle, was doing a book signing at the Books-A-Million for her new book, Sparkly Green Earrings. You may have heard of her? Grin.
(By the way, if you’re curious as to why she refers to herself as Big Mama, you’ll be relieved to know she explains her alias in the first chapter of her book. But I’ll leave that story for her to tell. A little suspense is a good thing.)
Melanie has been blogging since before blogging became the thing to do, and her blog was one of the very first blogs I read. (How many times can I use the word blog in one sentence?) It was really love at first sight, or read. A few reasons I’ve loved Melanie’s blog are because she’s hilarious, real, a good writer, sarcastic and she loves Jesus. Need I say more?
Also, she does a really fun post every Friday called Fashion Friday, and I don’t know about you, but my materialistic side is really into fashion, and there is always something she’s finding online that’s adorable that I then put into my mental wish list.
Anyway, last Saturday I got lucky and both she and her equally hilarious daughter, Caroline, signed my copy of the book.
Truth be told, I love to read, but for the past week the book has sat on my bedside table. That is until I picked it up yesterday and devoured the first five chapters before I realized I would be late to church and miss prayer time unless I left right then.
(Y’all. I didn’t set my alarm yesterday morning, slept in, and went to our evening service. I don’t know, but I feel like a new woman. It was heavenly. But that has nothing to do with Sparkly Green Earrings. But I did feel sparkly. Whatever that means.)
You know those books that you pick up and they’re just easy to read, charming and you want to keep going because you’ve entered into their world without even knowing it? That’s how I feel about Sparkly Green Earrings. I realize I’m only five chapters in, but I can guarantee you it won’t take me longer than a week to finish it. Honestly, I was a little skeptical at first, not because I don’t love Melanie or her writing, but because it’s a book about motherhood, and, well, to state the obvious, I’ve not ventured into the land of motherhood, nor am I close, so I wasn’t sure if it would apply to me. But alas, it is so much more than motherhood, it is her story of motherhood and it is a sweet one. In fact, she talks about her best friend from the start, and I really resonated with that as I thought about my best friend, and our friendship, especially since she just walked through pregnancy and has her first baby girl that is my current obsession.
I say all of that to say this, our friend Melanie, and her whimsical book, made it on the NY Times Best Seller list this week. Listen, I’m no author, nor have I published a book, but I say that’s a pretty big stinkin’ deal and deserves a celebration.
Need proof? Here’s a picture.
So, to celebrate, I thought it would be really fun to give away ten signed copies of Sparkly Green Earrings! Through a series of unplanned, or planned, events, we have those copies in our possession and they make me incredibly happy. Thank you, Amanda and Melanie, for making the signed books a reality. I know y’all had nothing better to do this weekend. Grin.
Here’s a look in the book.
How about this cover? I’ve tried endless times to get my ponytail looking like that.
Signed, sealed and (almost) delivered. Grin.
Someone else we all know and love also loves this book and the author!
And here is a picture of Nancy and me at the book signing with Melanie. The only thing I’m regretting right now is the fact that Caroline isn’t in the picture with us. Watching Caroline sign the books brought me pure delight.
(Notice the leg pop both Melanie and I are doing. That makes us cool.)
To win your own copy of Sparkly Green Earrings, simply leave a comment with your first and last name. (Side note: I know some of you don’t like your last name on the internet for the world to see, so if that’s you, your last initial would be so helpful. I don’t know if you realized there are A LOT of names on this blog, and not shockingly, A LOT of duplicates.)
For fun, if you’re feeling super creative, you can also tell us hypothetically what the name of your book would be called if indeed, you were to publish a book.
And I’m not even going to pretend like I know what my book would be titled. I’ll just start with “Lindsee Lou”.
How’s that for original? Catchy?
Okay, enough about my non-book.
I’ll leave comments open until mid-Wednesday morning!
Ready, set, go win a book!
My title: East Coast to the Midwest: Stories of a Carolina Girl in Razorback Country
Jane M. L.
” The Me I Wish You Knew” would be the title of my book.
I’ve read her blog a few times and I’m sure her book is amazing! Thank you for thinking of us!
I’ve read a few blogs today mentioning this book!
If I wrote a book it would be called “Still single, Lord! Got anyone for me?” Oh how He has recently blessed me and how I thank Him everyday for not allowing me to make mistakes that would keep me from this blessing. I had to wait 38.5 years but oh so worth the wait!
Julie Elizabeth Wright
Trish from Tulsa
Heather Marsten
Tell me what He did
I’m writing a memoir about healing from incest and other abuse. Every morning after my father’s visits to my room, my mom would greet me with, “I heard him in your room last night, tell me what he did.” I’d have to tell her and she’d write it in notebooks. Never did anything with the notebooks. For years I ran from God, and then finally God caught me – and He healed me – so the title also implies God’s help in my healing – tell me what HE (God) did.
Heather,Your book title reminds me of Terry Richenberger’s book “Sold To The Highest Bidder”
(The highest bidder used to be the men in the stip bars, but ended up being JESUS!!!)
So thankful for your rescue!!
Name of book: ‘”Blessed”
🙂
My book title: ” No one sees the mess but you; Stop cleaning and enjoy the ones that created the mess!”
Kristie, Midland, TX
And She Named Her Swimsuit Ooh-La-La!
A Tale of a Special Yet Brief Friendship
“Digging out of this Blizzard called Life, Into the most Gorgeous Sunsets”
Yes, I do live in Amarillo and we just had a real life blizzard to boot!
19 inches of snow with 75 mph wind…you couldnt see yourself coming or going!
I love, love to read!
Sand Skimmin and Skinny Dippin….Ridiculous, Yet True Adventures of Two Young-And-In-Love Missionaries(maybe the word “married” should be part of this title)
Great giveaway. I was already planning to give a copy to my nieces who are young moms.
Thank you.
I would love to curl up with this book. My book title would have to be: “GIVE ME A BIGGER BOX OF CRAYONS!!!”
Book Club, Bunco and Baked Ziti: How to have Fun, Even if You are a Church Secretary
I would LOVE this book! I went to the dot Mom conference in Frisco last week and saw Melanie! Her promo video for the book made me cry, it was sooo sweet! I wanted to buy the book, but didn’t…..
The title of my book would be, “Put Your Big Girl Panties On – THIS is the Day!”
Steph Hollingsworth
He’s Making Me Stronger
Thanks for the contest! How exciting…
Mary Lou Menning
How to be a good mom (when you’re pretty much a mess)
Just a 57 year young-married-empty nester w/adult sons out of state/ and have to have my earrings…the title sounds great and to know Living Proof is sharing this new author; yes, I would be blessed to win a copy!
thank you staff
Luke 4:22
I love green, and I can think of nothing better than Sparkly Green Earrings!
hmmm…something like “life as a peasant-turned-princess” =)
I would love to write a book someday, but for now, I’m busy living life with four kids and trying to keep my memory sharp, my stomach tucked inside my jeans and my husband happy!
Heather Turner
As my husband and I seem to be saying over and over again these days: “It Is What It Is!”
Deb Koehler
OHHHHHHHHH I HOPE YOU PICK MEEEEEE!!!! Just saw this book in the store today and didn’t get it :(. Then, found your blog on the Internet today for the first and it’s time about this book!! I think it’s a sign! Title. “Follow The Signs” (lol)
Valerie Harned
“Function, Function…what’s your dysfunction?”
Book title. Living Life in a Surgical Waiting Room
Annette B., Toronto ON
I have begun a book, and think about others I would like to write someday. A working title? “A Change of Heart.”
“Procrastinating is Fun” but I probably wouldn’t get it finished… 🙂
Amy James
My book would be called “Holding This Moment”
Katie Ray
Title: Humble Intent
Lisa M.
Storms and Stiletto Heels
Debra Lavine
Beth Billstrom
I can’t wait to read why she calls herself Big Mama!
& I love her title “Sparkly Green Earrings”
Hmmmm, mine might be…
Love, that’s what it’s all about: )
Thanks!!
Glenda J Miller(ster) 🙂
Cindy Gillis
Andrea Porter
A Practical Guide:
How to Successfully Catch That Monkey-wrench, Life Just Hurled Your Way
AND SURVIVE!!!!
( When your plan A becomes life’s plan B)
A Special needs mom who needs a time out!
Conquering the Sleeping Giants
“Yes! I’m Their Mother:)”Can see my children’s faces now…hilarious:))
AnnaMarie Lohr
Why Do I Have A Ride All Day Pass On the Hormone Roller Coaster and How Do I Give It Back?
(Praising God through – or in spite of – Menopause)
Girl I’ll read it if you write it!
Connie Hirschy, I enjoy reading the blog, and doing the scripture memory work.
I went to the dotMOM conference this past weekend where Melanie was one of the hostesses! (also got to meet Amanda!) LOVED her! I wanted so badly to buy one of her books, but it wasn’t in the budget. Would love to win one!
My goodness…I’m at a loss. Would love to have the book though.
Have a great day! This is the day the Lord has made.
Laura Callison
The name of my book, which my family and friends are either all-tingly anticipating or nail-chewing fearing (depending on how they treated chubby, near-sighted, holy-roller me) is “Too Fat To Be A Devilette.”
“The Advenure of a Lifetime!”