Thursday, December 18, 2014

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (A Jingle Bell Book Hop post)




If you look Christmas up in the dictionary, you are bound to find a picture of my face. Christmas is the time of the year I look forward to the most.  I count down the days until the season rolls around again, excitement building furiously until the day I can finally pull out box after box of decorations.  My husband says I have a "problem" and is still trying to convince me that there is no way I "need" a full-sized tree in every room of the house.  I keep trying to tell him a happy wife makes a happy life.  Truth be told, he just shakes his head at me and smiles.  After all, I do all of the putting up and taking down of the Christmas décor.  I find joy in trimming my house from top to bottom with festive cheer.  All the husband is required to do is bring in the boxes. 



I really would've bought a full-sized tree for my upstairs foyer if we weren't going to move again in a year.  That is the only downside to moving so much with the Army.  The decorations you buy for one house don't always fit the layout of the next one.  That's okay, in ten years the husband will retire, and I will start buying full-sized trees for every room.  I can be satisfied with the two big ones and two mini ones I have..... for now.



Truth be told, I don't quite know where my enduring love of this festive season comes from.  Perhaps it is because I was born in December or maybe it is growing up in Germany where Kris Kringle Markts abound.  Whatever the reason, I know one thing is for sure, I adore every single thing about the Christmas season.  The lights, the decorations, the music, the food, the smells, everything!  Somehow people are a little nicer to one another, even in the hustle and bustle of things.  Families come together, friends reunite, and time seems to stand still for a little while.  It is like being trapped in a Norman Rockwell painting or a snowglobe where things are perfect, just for a while.  The cares of the world seem to slip away and the truly important things are all that really matter. 



The day after Christmas, when all is said and done, I find myself adrift.  Every year, this happens.  I don't really know why, all I know is that I feel an emptiness when the season is complete and I start my countdown all over again.



So, this holiday season, I implore you to take a moment's pause when the stress of shopping gets to you, or the thought of traveling, whatever the stressor may be.... take a second and reflect on your many blessings this year.  Look back on everything joyous and be thankful for the wonderful gift this life can be! 



Speaking of gifts.... for everyone that comments, you will be getting an ebook copy of See How She Fights!  Huzzah (Mostly because the first book in the series is free.... so really, you are getting to read half of the series for free :) ).

FREE RIGHT NOW!!!


AMAZON: http://amzn.com/B00DWJ6BBS

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../see-how.../1116010546......
...
SMASHWORDS: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/414078

ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/.../see-how-she-runs/id840265532...


And here is the cover for See How She Fights..... because I love it!!!




Also..... out of everyone that comments, I will be using Random.Org to pick one lucky winner who will be getting the entire series in EBook as well as the first novella of my new RomCom series!  WHAT!?!?!?!?!  Exciting!



Let's see..... here is the link to the AMAZING Rafflecopter giveaway:






a Rafflecopter giveaway






Want to know who else is involved with this amazing giveaway?  Look no further!






Be sure to leave your name and email address in the comment as well as what format you prefer to read on.... that way I can get your books to you without delay! 



May all of your Christmas wishes come true!

xoxo,

Michelle Graves

P.S. I hear this guy prefers nice girls :D 



77 comments:

  1. merry Christmas!
    Rebecca
    beccb5@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Michelle! Happy Hopmas! haha I just wanted to drop by and say thank you for being part of our hop! I hope you have a great turn out! I LOVE your post! Here's to all us Christmas nuts!! haha ;)
    laceybug 35 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Merry Christmas! Thank you!
    Gina Bookley
    g.bookley@gmail.com
    kindle

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Holidays! :)
    trudy29@ymail.com - Kindle

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you and merry Christmas! twilliams_87@icloud.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so much! We must be related when it comes to Christmas-I am the exact same way! Also, thank you to your husband for his service in the military!

    kamerysolomon@yahoo.com and Kindle format would be awesome! Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the wonderful contest! Happy holidays to all.
    Ashley
    read4love(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love your face, Michelle! I think to help with your love of Christmas, you should come help me decorate my house next year. Sound like a plan? LOL This year we have one tree up .... TARDIS style. It turned out so pretty <3

    I'd love a copy of your ebook : Belinda Boring thebookishsnob(at)hotmail(dot)com

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so there, Belinda! I want Christmas to be EVERYWHERE! LOL!

      Delete
  9. Happy Holidays!
    pepsichick1982@yahoo.com
    Thank you!

    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank You Merry Christmas
    Crystal Young
    crystaley73@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the chance to win and Merry Christmas!
    liese1235 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Merry Christmas! michelle.watson28@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you! Niki Mattes femniki@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for doing this, I think the whole event is fantastic! jjtease87@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you! Happy Holidays! Princessmegs25@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Happy Holidays from Texas! sugarocg@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
    ju.martinhao@gmail.com

    Juliana Ignacio

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you! Happy Holidays! als115@optonline.net

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you so much! Merry Christmas! tiffanesloan@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you and Merry Christmas. jessbl75@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank You! Merry Christmas! CBadder2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. kelli billerbeck - kkellijo@yahoo.com - kindle

    ReplyDelete
  23. I just wanted to stop by and wish you Happy Holidays, Michelle!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Merry Christmas! Corsons06@yahoo.com thank you

    ReplyDelete
  25. Merry Christmas!
    Lesley
    lesley2038@gmail.com - mobi format

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for the fun hop!
    1mad@marktwain.net

    ReplyDelete
  27. Merry Christmas!!
    flyerkat{at}verizon{dot}net

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you!
    Kindle
    mellie_jo_4@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
    sarah_g_jones1981@yahoo.com
    Kindle format please

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you!! Enjoy your holidays!!
    cwdurbin@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! I hope everyone have a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

    tre7984@gmail.com
    Kindle

    ReplyDelete
  32. Merry Christmas, thank you lynn16@zoominternet.net

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you! Merry Christmas!

    Triton3122@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Merry Christmas. riquitawagner@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Merry Christmas
    kittycat10611@hotmail.com
    Catherine Elliott

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks and Happy Holidays! rintaviv@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thank you so much. This series sounds awesome!!!
    Natalie
    natcleary at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Merry Christmas! rannmoreland at Hotmail dot com
    I like the mobi format.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Loving this book hop!
    Nikki Rawson
    nbfzdm@verizon.net
    Kindle

    ReplyDelete
  41. Merry Christmas theb1tch69@gmail.com kindle/mobi

    ReplyDelete
  42. Happy Holidays!
    April Kirkland
    aprilkirkland@rocketmail.com
    Kindle/mobi

    ReplyDelete
  43. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Merry Christmas

    TaKiesha Smith
    takieshasmith@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Merry Christmas and thanks for the giveaway

    Robbie Bauldree
    rbauldree2001@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Happy holidays!
    Juilia
    mrsskippydo@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  48. This is a lot of fun. Thank you for doing this. Happy Holidays!

    Jessica
    jmtarrats@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Merry Christmas, Michelle! :) My email is audreyharteauthor@gmail.com and I have a Kindle. Thanks so much! :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Merry Christmas!!!
    Kindle

    Thank you very much.
    artgiote at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Happy holidays! :)
    sakshi012@hotmail.com (Sakshi Jain)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thanks for the fun!! kindle doe.dowiesplace@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Happy Holidays!
    Thank you for the gifts.

    wismomworks@gmail.com
    kindle mobi or pdf

    ReplyDelete
  54. Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year!
    mzlbell2010@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Ashley Dene Tarr, reading on Kindle, my email is ashley_dene@hotmail.com Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Merry Christmas!!!
    Caren Davis - thebookminion@gmail.com
    Kindle

    ReplyDelete
  57. Merry Christmas! I've never been one to get super excited for the holiday season...except this year I'm very excited because it's my son's first Christmas and I want to make everything special for him. That being said...I'll be relieved when it's over because it's been very stressful. Thanks for the free book. It looks intriguing. The_nicole09@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! hmr7706@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Merry Christmas! sburch@mail.bradley.edu , read on my kindle or nook

    ReplyDelete
  60. Merry Christmas and thank you! Mary McCoy emmasmom69 AT gmail DOT com Kindle format

    ReplyDelete
  61. Merry Christmas - Trisha Hudson - Saraiyaproperties@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Merry Christmas!
    Shirley Thompson
    shirlntn71@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Thank you so much for letting us read 1/2 the series for free!

    Holly Letson ~ bookaholicholly at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Happy Holidays! Thanks dachshundlady@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  65. Merry Christmas! from Reine Williams ( twilight299@sc.rr.com )

    ReplyDelete
  66. happy holidays

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Hi! Happy holidays! Thank you all for the fun!! Hope you have a blast with your family!
    Shadow
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Merry Christmas!!

    Len Phelps - aphelps7377@gmail.com

    Mobi Format

    ReplyDelete
  69. Merry Christmas!! -Christy Love- Christy_love14@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Merry Christmas, wonderful giveaway Thank you
    ahutfelter@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I got the first book and I'm intrigued lol
    Illimani - illimani818@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Happy Holidays and Thank you.

    Kimberly Talbot / devynsmom95@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete