Friday, February 5, 2010

What February Holds: Novel Giveaway for you!

Friends, readers, and bloggers,

The month of Feburary might be the shortest one in the number of days, but those days trigger many significant feelings for me.

When I was in high school, February was a depressing month, thanks to Valentine's Day and cold weather. I had no one I liked, or else the guy I liked didn't notice me. And the days were bleak in Kobe, Japan.

So when Daniel died on February 2, 1997, I thought, well, at least I never cared much for this month anyway. Now I have even more of a reason to despise February.

Two years ago I talked on the phone for the first time with Carl on February 16th. The next year (last year) we were married in Vegas on the 7th.

This year, I look forward to our anniversary and Valentine's with Carl. My football-lovin' friends think I should be happy that we get to celebrate our one year date on Superbowl Sunday.

But, for you, friends, I want to tie this month up in a huge red bow and offer my novel, How Sweet It Is in a random drawing. Just post something here about why you like or dislike February.

In memory of my sweet Daniel, the winner of this giveaway will also get a copy of my cookbook of memories, Down the Cereal Aisle. And a pack of my one-of-a-kind remembrance cards, Songs from Heaven.

So enter the contest by posting here! Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you, should you be the winner. Enter any time this month. The winner will be announced in March.

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't like February because it is the SHORTEST month. Since I am getting older I now realize how fast time flies. Time is going even faster with 2 - 3 days missing from this month.
I love winter BTW

judyrivard@hotmaildotcom

PS Love your novels and I'd love to win this one.

Daniele said...

I always disliked February, growing up as I did in dreary Syracuse, NY. February is still very much the dead of winter there: lots of snow, freezing cold, and very, very gray skies with no hint of spring to come.

All of which makes me fascinated by February in the South! Even ten years later, I am amazed that spring is just around the corner, buds no doubt ready to burst any day now! Even blogged about it recently: http://abitmoreofme.blogspot.com/2010/01/of-birthdays-and-buds.html It's a time of mixed sweetness for me, even as I remember Eliza's Valentine's Day due date.

Thinking of you often this difficult month, Alice. Happy Anniversary! --Daniele
shdbjackson@yahoo.com

Joyce said...

I do not like February because there will never be any more new Valentines from my precious Kara.
She always sent the best ones, picked just for me.

Joyce, Kara's mom

mindy said...

february is bittersweet for me my niece was born on valentines day but her daughter also died then thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

Jennifer said...

February holds glimpses of springtime here in the South.

cmjenniferm@yahoo.com

Mary said...

February is such a short month, for bill-paying, it's stinks. But I try to be a glass half-full kind of gal so I enjoy February because it's a month of hearts and candies and nice brisk air.

mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Heidi said...

Hey, here's my chance to get that book! I'm not that crazy about February, simply because it's still winter and it's still cold. As a matter of fact, as I sit here typing this, it's snowing outside.
I am rather intrigued by the whole leap year thing, though, and actually celebrate my wedding anniversary on leap day. The thing is, though, we only have a real anniversary every 4 years, which kinda stinks! LOL

Rose McCauley said...

I like February, and I am glad you have a reason to like it now, too. As a former elementary teacher, the Valentine's party was one of my favorites of the year. The kids all took it so seriously and read each card and who it was from and what the card said. Sometimes they would get a card the person had forgotten to sign and I would tell them it must be from their secret admirer and they would just beam!

I would love to win the book and cookbook and cards. They all sound lovely. My email is crmcc at setel dot com.

I also loved the tribute to your son and know you look forward to the joy of seeing him in heaven.

scottsgal said...

I'm ambivalent towards February - it's usually cold and dreary in Chicago but also one month closer to spring
thanks for the chance
msboatgal at aol.com

Jo said...

I don't mind February in the least bit. Have lived in Florida and now Arizona since 1982 so we don't have the nasty winters that a lot of others suffer from. I love Valentines Day because my hubby always does something special for me.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Giveaway Lady said...

I like February because my birthday is the 15th:) Yes I am getting older but there is still much to enjoy. Please enter me in your giveaway. I would love to win it!!
Thanks so much!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

yoshimi said...

What really happens in February? Snow to throw the red and pink Valentine's cards into sharper contrast! When I was a kid, I thought that Valentine's day was the ultimate and spent a fair bit of time making very fancy valentine's. Then I got busy. And then I moved to Durham, where February is just the month between wintry January and March's "hints" of spring.

Sarah Salter said...

I have mixed feelings about February. At this point in the year, I'm getting antsy about winter and getting very ready for spring to come to Carolina. I don't celebrate V's Day at all. But I do celebrate my Granddaddy's birthday on the 25th, my Brother's birthday on the 27th and my Grandmama's birthday on the 29th (she's a leap year's baby!) With that much celebration going on in one month, it's kind of hard to dislike it!

Thanks for having this giveaway! My book budget for 2010 has been way scaled back & so it would be GREAT to win! :o)

smsalter78[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I don't like Feb. mostly because it is still winter and cold, but I do like that we usually have a few days about the third week that it warms up here in MO. I hope to win the novel.
tjtweeter(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Thanks!

cozymysterygirl said...

I like February because it is fun to get a few extra surprises for my husband and also my friends.Valentine's day is about love and not just romantic love.it can be it many kinds of love.please enter me into the giveawy thanks
Kellie
kellielovesanthony@gmail.com

Sandee61 said...

I like February because my husband's birthday is on Valentine's Day and mine is a week later on the 21st. We celebrate them both by going out to dinner, but "my Valentine" has been known to surprize me with a gift or flowers too. He's a keeper, thats for sure! Please enter me in your giveaway...I enjoy your books so much.

Blessings,
Sandee61

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Linda said...

I like February, as my father/mother-in-law got married on Valentine's Day. And I love snow!

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Ausjenny said...

I like Feb. My birthday is in feb. here growing up valentines day wasn't really celebrated.
It was the start of the School year and we were still in Summer.
So I still love Feb. the only sad thing is when it ends we go into autumn.

Julia M. Reffner said...

I struggle with SAD so winter is the roughest time, but I love thinking of surprises to bless my husband on his February birthday. So I guess it is a mixed month.

Julesreffner@gmail.com

Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker said...

My favorite thing about february is fat tuesday. I guess that isn't ALWAYS in February but it's rare when it isn't. I love Punczi!

Molly said...

I love February only when I am spending it with my family! =)

Thanks for the giveaway!
Mollydawn1981ATaolDOTcom

Deborah M said...

February is a mixed emotion month for me also. It is so, so cold and dreary, but then again it is a short month - and in March the pear trees start blooming and I know Spring is on the way. Of course, if you have someone you love in your life Valentines Day can be so sweet! Please enter me in the drawing.
Deborah M.
debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

Casey said...

I can't say that really like or dislike this month. I do like that it is shorter, especially this month as I desperately need to put it behind me!

I would love a chance to read your book, thanks for the chance. :)

caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com

Mimi N said...

Not much of a February fan. First of all, it's always cold here in MN. At least before in WA flowers would start poking out of the ground.

Then, add Valentines Day to the mix and it's even more blah month. I'm with you in regards to growing up and not sharing it with anyone in high school. Now it's me and the kids and I choose to ignore it.

So glad you have a renewed reason to enjoy this month.

Blessings,
Mimi @ Woven by Words

PS you don't have to enter me, I just wanted to drop by. :)

Lisa said...

Hi Alice.
I love February for two reasons-I was married to Michael on the 28th
day in 1988 and secondly-I gave birth to my daughter Mandi on Feb.9,1996. We celebrate in little ways throughout the whole month for
my baby girl and then we have our anniversary and Valentines to spread a little extra love. FUN!!!
I am so glad you look forward to this time of the year now too. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary. I love your writing, it helped me to deal with the loss of my son Matthew. Keep up the good work. Lisa
email is dabrookszoo@bellsouth.net.

Nickolay said...

I dislike February, because it is to far into the middle of Winter. Once it is over, there is still a ton of Winter left. Now, I love Winter, but sometimes February is just a slap in the face for how long Winter can be

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Kit Tosello said...

Normally January is my favorite month. I get a surge of positivity at the prospect of a fresh start.

This year, February had to stand in for January as my fresh start. My Mom passed away at Christmas so this year I don't even remember January. Did people make resolutions? Undecorate their houses? Not I. But February saved me!

Cheryl Rhodes said...

I like February due to the Valentine's Day chocolate and the half price sales on chocolate following February 14. If I win please donate your novel and cards to a local organization where they can spread happiness to deserving people. Perhaps a senior's home or a woman's shelter. I'll let you choose what's most accessible to you.
Cheryl

CanCan said...

I don't have strong feelings toward February. I'm a school teacher and we aren't allowed to do Valentines with the kids any more. So that is a bummer. My mom's birthday is in February though, that is kind of special! :)

onlycancan ta hotmail tod com

Kit Tosello said...

Oops, I commented above but left out my email:

kittosello@msn.com

Martha A. said...

Feb is a nice month for me as it is when two of my wonderful sons were born! If my one son had gone 4 more days overdue, he would be a leap year 29th baby....but thankfully he had mercy on me! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Marianna said...

I'm sorry that February has such bittersweet memories for you.

I'm kinda of ambivalent about February, although there are a few special occasions for me - my mother's birthday and my anniversary.

mannasweeps (at) gmail DOT com

Alice. J. Wisler said...

Thanks for all these posts here!
The drawing will take place at the very end of February!

Jan from Parkville, MO said...

February means winter is almost over.Yea! Time to start some flower seeds in little peat pellets in the window. Also means extra gifts of chocolate. WOO HOO

Jan Johnston

Jan from Parkville, MO said...

I thought I included my email but it didn't show up in my comment.

janjwog@gmail.com

Alison said...

My Daniel was born in March and he passed away in January.

For me, February will always be that month in between.

Anonymous said...

Feb. now for me is month 2 after the death of my son in Dec. So this year I don't particularly like it. I am glad that I found your blog and other info. I found it right before Brad passed away. I thank you for what you do.

Please sign me up for the drawing.

b.werts at sbcglobal(dot)net

Wendy H said...

I don't like February because of its focus on Valentines Day. As a single gal all the focus on couples is sometimes disheartening. I loved your novel Rainsong. Winning How Sweet it Is...would make February great this year!

Susan said...

I love February because one of my favorite people was born on the 28th.

Anonymous said...

Hi Alice I love Feburary because of Valentines day..I am single and I view it as a day to let everyone in your life know you love them in a more special way..This year I spent it with me kids and a few friends..I have realized you dont have to be involved or married to celebrate love ..awesome to all who have found their soulmate and hang in there to those who havnt.

Alice. J. Wisler said...

The winner has been chosen for the giveaway! Just now, my son, Ben, drew a name out of a coffee mug. Joyce (Kara's mom) is the winner of How Sweet It Is, Down the Cereal Aisle and a pack of ten Songs From Heaven cards!

Thanks, to all, for entering the contest. I so appreciate each one of your entries.

~Alice

Ann Knowles said...

I love February! And believe it or not, my daddy's birthday was Feb. 14. He was a sweetheart and loved my mother more than life itself. My brother was born Feb. 27 when I was seven years old. So I have a number of reasons to like February. My grandmother had two children born on holidays. Daddy had a sister born on July 4.

I am glad you and Carl found each other and that you can celebrate the sweetheart holiday together this year.
annknowles03@aol.com