*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, Iām really into the parenthesis today.)
(Iām 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 youāre curious as to why she refers to herself as Big Mama, youāll be relieved to know she explains her alias in the first chapter of her book. But Iāll 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 Iāve loved Melanieās blog are because sheās 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 donāt know about you, but my materialistic side is really into fashion, and there is always something sheās finding online thatās 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.
(Yāall. I didnāt set my alarm yesterday morning, slept in, and went to our evening service. I donāt 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 theyāre just easy to read, charming and you want to keep going because youāve entered into their world without even knowing it? Thatās how I feel about Sparkly Green Earrings. I realize Iām only five chapters in, but I can guarantee you it wonāt take me longer than a week to finish it. Honestly, I was a little skeptical at first, not because I donāt love Melanie or her writing, but because itās a book about motherhood, and, well, to state the obvious, Iāve not ventured into the land of motherhood, nor am I close, so I wasnāt 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, Iām no author, nor have I published a book, but I say thatās a pretty big stinkinā deal and deserves a celebration.
Need proof? Hereās 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 yāall had nothing better to do this weekend. Grin.
Hereās 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 Iām regretting right now is the fact that Caroline isnāt 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 donāt like your last name on the internet for the world to see, so if thatās you, your last initial would be so helpful. I donāt know if you realized there are A LOT of names on this blog, and not shockingly, A LOT of duplicates.)
For fun, if youāre 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 Iām not even going to pretend like I know what my book would be titled. Iāll just start with āLindsee Louā.
Howās 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!
book contest
Katie DeWald
Becky Boggio – Oh please pick me! I love Big Mama. Her blog makes me laugh out loud all the time and even to the point where I have cried I have laughed so hard.
My book title would be called Boggioisms as I am certain my book would be about my family, like Melanie’s!
If I could write a book I would title it “Running Toward Heaven – While Vacationing On Earth”. How blessed we are with earthly things for a short period of time, all the while running toward the finish line of our Eternal Home.
Eck! I have heard so many great things about this book! If I wrote my own book I think it would be called, “Embracing Erica”, because that has been my life theme- embracing who God made me to be. Thanks so much for the chance to win!!
Donna Varadin
Valerie Stell
My book title would be: “Blessings In The Storm”
My book would be called Mel’s Miracle because God has been doing amazing things in and through me and i know when everything comes together it will be a miracle! Blessings š
I think my book tittle would be “Kicking the Curb”
“All Days Blessed” Letha Schrader
Book title. Sparkly Green Earrings Match My Bathrobe and My Dogs Eyes Perfectly!
Abby Kaufman – thanks so much for sharing!
Hope in a Hot-Air Balloon
I love Sarah Young’s devotionals they keep me going in the morning. In her Jesus Today she gave reference to hope and trusting to climb into the basket of the balloon. That word picture has continued to stay in my mind .
I’ve been looking forward to this book since I first read she was writing it! I’d love to have a signed copy!
Dwana Capshaw “to honor him all of my days”
Forgive any misspellings! It’s 10 at night, way past my bedtime, and I’m typing on my itty bitty phone screen. My glasses are somewhere close by, but I can’t find them so…. I can’t wait to read this book. It sounds like I will be up past my bedtime for a few more nights! Anything with motherhood and God has to be a good read. Beth,my sister-n-law and I went to a webcast of yours not too long ago and it was wonderful. Thank you for sharing your gifts with all of us. I’m so grateful that God has put so many wonderful teachers in my path!! And I’m looking forward to a few late nights reading a good book!!!
Brenda Kovach.
Love this blog and would LOVE an autographed copy of the book you’re giving away!
Lorel Hohl (can almost guarantee there won’t be a duplicate of my name…)
Allison Crook in Albuquerque
If I were to publish a book, I’d call it “Crook Chronicles”.
Denise O’Morrow
Brenda Zert….
Surviving by His Grace
Moments to Remember, A memoir of happy, sweet, goofy and transparent times spent with family and friends.
Chelsea N from Oklahoma
EEK! Thanks for the giveaway!!! (no book title.. totally lacking in the creativity department!)
“uprooted tree: tales from a globe-trotting single 20-something” (:
Holly G ~ Believing to See
I would love to win this book, but if not, surely I will purchase it. If I were to publish a book right now, it would be called PRAYING FOR DAYLIGHT.
Life of a tundra walker.
I would love to have a copy of Sparkly Green Earrings. I am a first time Nonnie……to Baby Sofia Katherine. *_*
Laura Sei
My book name would be 1/2 Crazy and Standing On The Edge – A Mother of Three Boys.
Which Way or That Way…Crossroads
My book will be called “From the gates of hell to the glory of heaven.” I am a grateful believer who also happens to be a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I have been encouraged to write a book about my decent to addiction and the rise back up to Christ’s love and the salvation I have found along the way. I now help addicts recover in the Celebrate Recovery group I lead but think a book could reach more people and give them the hope I was once given.
Erika Aiken
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If I were to write a book I’d have to call it “Rainbows in the midst of the storm” as a mother of 5 and crazy enough to think of having a 6th we’ve had A LOT of ups and downs but we always look for the rainbow and come out smiling! If I don’t win this book I’m definitely going to have to buy it as any godly book on motherhood is right up my alley! Fingers crossed š
How I Survived
I have missed being on this blog for a long time! This book sounds delightful! If I wrote a book I think I would title it: “Lulu Grace Gets it Together…Finally!”
Lindsee Love your post, you are the real deal and so easy to love!
Book Title: Trust His Heart
Kimberly White
When my eyes met His.
Marina McClure…and my fake book is, as of yet, untitled. š
I think I’d title my book ‘instant family, just add husband…loving and learning in a step family’
Too long?? š
Christy E. from NC
I hope to write my own book about motherhood someday. My two children provide plenty of material!!
Ups and Downs the road that led me to Christ…would be the title of my book.
thanks,
Caryn
My book would be called “Little Miss Freckle Face Finds Freedom.”
“My Life as a Cat Mom”
“Band aids and Toilet paper”. The Glamorous Life of a Mom of Five.
I would really enjoy receiving this book – I am very anxious to read it!
“Crumbs, sticky fingers, and a few minutes late.” would be my title. Before kids, my house was fairly clean, especially chairs/kitchen and I was usually on time if not early!
Now we are always late, a little sticky and there are crumbs everywhere…but also a joy that only kids bring.
I forgot my book title – Jessie’s Granddaughter, A Blessed Adventure!
I am writing a devotional my first book ever! Started as a bkog- “Crumbs from the Kings Table!”
If I wrote a book it would be appropriate to name it:
“The Princess Frog and the Flea”
and then there is “Swim Silly”, the most fun ways to learn to swim ever.