Christmas in July Reader Giveaway: Dangerous Christmas Memories
Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the first blog in this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway, which runs July 12-23, 2021. At the bottom of each author’s blog post, you will find the secret words. Write them all down and provide the provide the entire answer on this Google form. See below for a list with links of all participating authors!
Note: You must grab all the secret words from every author in the Christmas in July Reader Giveaway to be eligible to win a $400 Amazon gift card. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (20 in all). At each blog stop, the author will also give away copy or copies of their featured Christmas book.
What makes Christmas Christmas to you? Is it a decorated tree? The month of December? The sight of presents piled high on Christmas morning? The smell of cinnamon and pine trees? A Christmas song or carol? The sight of a nativity? The gathering of your loved ones? A family tradition?
In Dangerous Christmas Memories, my heroine hasn’t had the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with family for years because she’s in witness protection. That made me sad because celebrating Christmas should be an occasion filled with joy, not sorrow.
But I didn’t start out writing the story with Christmas in mind. My original time period for Dangerous Christmas Memories wasn’t early December—it was early November. So when my editor asked me to “add some Christmas” to the story, at first I was flummoxed on how to give the story a Christmasy flavor while staying true to the characters. I had to really think about how to convey Christmas in a story that didn’t allow for many of those kinds of interactions.
Because of the storyline of a couple constantly on the move, I put in more subtle touches to show it was December. For example, a bus driver wears a Santa hat, while one character admires the holiday light display in a neighborhood. The book ends close to December 25 with the character discussing their own Christmas celebrations.
For me personally, Christmas is the smell of a fresh pine tree (no artificial trees in our house!), the scent of something sweet baking in the oven, and the sound of Christmas songs playing on the radio. I also love a crisp, cold night with the stars shining brightly and the air still with anticipation of celebration of our Savior’s birth. On Christmas morning, I love hearing the story of Jesus’s birth read from the Gospel of Matthew or Luke, and remembering how precious that gift was to us.
Dangerous Christmas Memories
A witness in jeopardy…and a killer on the loose.
Hiding in witness protection is the only option for Priscilla Anderson after witnessing a murder. Then Lucas Langsdale shows up claiming to be her husband right when a hit man finds her. With partial amnesia, she has no memory of her marriage or the killer’s identity. Yet she will have to put her faith in Luc if they both want to live to see another day.
For a chance to win one of three print copies of Dangerous Christmas Memories (US/Canadian addresses only, please), tell me what makes Christmas Christmas to you in the blog comments.
Now, it’s time to for the secret words: Want to keep Christ
Save the secret words, and when you reach the final blog, enter all the secret words on this form for a chance to win a $400 Amazon gift cards!
Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Jill Kemerer and her Christmas book The Cowboy’s Christmas Blessings. You can find it at this link. Remember, this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway will end on July 23 at 8 PM EST!
Here’s a list of all participating authors with their links, just in case something goes wonky. Enjoy!
- Sarah Hamaker https://sarahhamakerfiction.com/2021/07/10/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway-dangerous-christmas-memories/
- Jill Kemerer https://jillkemerer.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
- Dennis Bailey https://dennisbaileyfiction.com/2021/07/08/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
- PeggySue Wells https://singlemomcircle.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
- Terri Weldon https://terriweldon.com/blog/
- Jennifer Chastain https://jenniferchastain.com/2021/07/11/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
- Laurie Wood: https://lauriewoodauthor.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway-northern-hearts-heroes-of-the-tundra-novella/
- Carol Stratton https://www.carolgstratton.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
- Terri Reed http://www.terrireed.com/2021/07/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway.html
- Anne Green http://anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com/
- Pam Green https://pamgreenwrites.com/2021/07/11/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
- Izzy James https://enotsilent.wordpress.com/2021/07/11/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
- Nancy J. Farrier https://nancyjfarrier.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
- Dana Mentink https://dmentink.wordpress.com/2021/07/10/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
- Hallee Bridgeman https://www.halleebridgeman.com/christmas-in-july
- Susan Lyttek https://sajlyttek.com/blog/1526-Christmas-in-July-Reader-Giveaway?sel=1-0
- Zoe McCarthy https://zoemmccarthy.com/activities/christmas-in-july-reader-give-away
- Sherry Kyle https://www.sherrykyle.com/forever-yours-this-christmas-christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
July 12, 2021 @ 12:42 am
Christmas is Christmas when the ginger snap cookies have arrived from my sister-in-law with the highlight being the Christmas program celebrating the birth of Christ at church with the choir and sometimes a small drama program by the church members utilizing the teens and children and a cake with Happy Birthday Jesus printed on it to remind us whose birthday this really is.
July 12, 2021 @ 8:14 am
Ah, I can almost smell those ginger snap cookies baking!
July 12, 2021 @ 6:25 am
When I think of Christmas, I think of warm hot chocolate with cinnamon on top, loved ones, watching Christmas movies November 1st! Haha the smell of pine and reading the birth of Jesus! And giving to others that don’t have a way to get their children toys or food. This year I’m gonna do something big for them! I started a princess party business. And I’m thinking of doin a big party/ event and all money goes towards those who can’t afford toys or food. I’m doin that also for Thanksgiving! Can’t wait!
July 12, 2021 @ 8:15 am
Wow, what a great idea of a way to give back to your community AND make some little girls very happy. I wish you all the success with that endeavor.
July 12, 2021 @ 6:34 am
That feeling of good will toward all is really that spirit during the season makes Christmas Christmas to me!
July 12, 2021 @ 8:15 am
Yes, I agree!
July 12, 2021 @ 7:12 pm
CHRISTmas to me is gifting loved ones with presents that I enjoyed shopping for all year for them. There is no better theme for this special holiday than that God gave His very best gift to mankind, His son Jesus!
July 12, 2021 @ 7:40 pm
Amen!
July 12, 2021 @ 10:51 am
Christmas for me has been different since 1983. The year my Gramps died. Fast forward, when my baby came along I tried to make it special for her. And fast forward, this year I have a grandbaby. But Christmas is Christmas when the cookies are baked and we talk about how after opening presents Gramps would get a trashbag and start throwing the paper away.
July 12, 2021 @ 12:15 pm
Yes, Christmastime can be bittersweet at times.
July 12, 2021 @ 11:26 am
Jesus Christ 🙂. Because He’s the real reason behind Christmas.
July 12, 2021 @ 12:15 pm
Amen!
July 12, 2021 @ 12:03 pm
Christmas dinner.
July 12, 2021 @ 12:15 pm
We usually have ham and plenty of Christmas cookies for dessert.
July 12, 2021 @ 12:08 pm
It’s Christmas music playing on the rodeo
July 12, 2021 @ 12:15 pm
One of my favorites too!
July 12, 2021 @ 12:39 pm
I think the fourth blog secret wood are not right
July 12, 2021 @ 1:09 pm
Christmas would not be the same without our family get-together, but my favorite part of Christmas is the music. We play Christmas music for a least a month, enjoying both traditional and contemporary Christian.
July 12, 2021 @ 3:17 pm
I love dragging out my Christmas CDS and playing all my favorites.
July 12, 2021 @ 7:41 pm
Yes, I know. We’re trying to get it fixed but just use the words there on the form. We’ll count it as correct:)
July 12, 2021 @ 2:05 pm
Christmas Eve candle light service is my favorite part of Christmas. With all the hustling & bustling of getting ready for Christmas, this is my decompression time & where I readjust my heart & mind to what the true meaning of Christmas is. I love it!
July 12, 2021 @ 3:18 pm
Yes, it’s so important to have that time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
July 12, 2021 @ 3:36 pm
being with family to celebrate the birth of Christ
July 12, 2021 @ 6:54 pm
Yes!
July 12, 2021 @ 5:07 pm
Christmas with all my Adult children and my Grandchildren having a Dinner is my tradition Blessings to You!
July 12, 2021 @ 6:55 pm
What a blessing to have your family with you at Christmas:)
July 12, 2021 @ 5:25 pm
Getting together with family. Talking about the birth of Jesus and what Christmas really means. Thanks for the chance.
July 12, 2021 @ 6:55 pm
I’m with you!
July 12, 2021 @ 5:54 pm
Hi Sarah, I think the words are wrong at stop #4: PeggySue Wells https://singlemomcircle.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
Their words don’t match this Steve Maraboli’s quote.
July 12, 2021 @ 6:56 pm
Yes, I know, and have been trying to communicate with the author about the mistake. Just enter what you find on the Google form and we’ll know what happened:)
July 12, 2021 @ 9:36 pm
I actually have a print of this quote so I filled in the correct word to the quote. I hope this doesn’t disqualify me.
July 13, 2021 @ 9:11 am
Not a problem!
July 12, 2021 @ 6:02 pm
Christmas is all about family! Last year we celebrated alone, and it just didn’t feel like Christmas at all.
July 12, 2021 @ 6:56 pm
It is indeed!
July 12, 2021 @ 6:04 pm
I love these suspense books. This really sound like my kind of story.
July 12, 2021 @ 6:56 pm
Thanks, Anne!
July 12, 2021 @ 7:35 pm
What makes Christmas Christmas is the light in my kids eyes when they open gifts. The joy seen on their faces. Means everything to me. This is an awesome opportunity! Thank you!
July 12, 2021 @ 7:40 pm
I love watching my kids open gifts too.
July 12, 2021 @ 8:26 pm
Christmas is Christmas when the family gets together for candlelight services.
July 13, 2021 @ 9:10 am
Candlelight services are wonderful.
July 12, 2021 @ 8:49 pm
I enjoy seeing all the homes decorated, especially when there’s snow.
July 13, 2021 @ 9:11 am
Me too, although we usually don’t get much snow at Christmas in Virginia!
July 12, 2021 @ 9:08 pm
Christmas for me has always been baking with my Mom and husband. This changed last Christmas as my Mom is now in a nursing home. I am an only child as well as never being a Mom. We bake to give as gifts for friends and family. God bless you.
July 13, 2021 @ 9:11 am
Oh, it’s hard when family traditions have to be adjusted, but it sounds like you still keep your mom’s baking legacy alive.
July 12, 2021 @ 10:51 pm
Christmas to me is the birth of our Savior. Being with family, friends, having a good time, watching Hallmark movies, and esting good food and bake goods.
July 13, 2021 @ 9:12 am
Hallmark does have the best Christmas movies!
July 12, 2021 @ 11:31 pm
Christmas to me is family. This Christmas we have a new member family. I have my first great- grandson and knowing that my family keeps growing I know we well welcome, hopefully, many more! Merry Christmas!!
July 13, 2021 @ 9:12 am
Wow, that’s amazing to have so many generations together.
July 12, 2021 @ 11:46 pm
I think it’s> ( feed the poor, )But I did your words.
July 13, 2021 @ 9:12 am
You’re right, but either words will work:)
July 13, 2021 @ 12:15 am
Christmas is Christmas when some 40 years of family ornaments are safely hung on a real Christmas tree with memories of 3 little children as they became older teens and then college students and now one is a married lady! (They all still love to open gifts!)
July 13, 2021 @ 9:13 am
I love the memories ornaments bring when hanging them on the tree every year.
July 13, 2021 @ 7:34 am
Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. We always read the Christmas story from Luke before opening gifts. One of my daughters lives overseas and they are only in the USA once every 2 – 3 years. It is really special when they are here and being able to watch them opening gifts – especially the grandchildren! Family makes Christmas a special time.
July 13, 2021 @ 9:13 am
It’s all about family, isn’t it?
July 13, 2021 @ 3:11 pm
Christmas to me is being surrounded by my loved ones and celebrating Jesus’ birth with them. Also, listening to classic Christmas music and baking some goodies helps too.
July 13, 2021 @ 6:52 pm
Isn’t nice to celebrate Christmas with family who love Jesus?
July 13, 2021 @ 9:58 pm
Christmas is Christmas when we have completed our Advent traditions anticipating our celebration of Christ’s birth…and then the highlight of Christmas Eve worship and Christmas morning worship remembering our Savior’s birth and looking forward to Him returning.
July 14, 2021 @ 7:56 am
I love Christmas traditions!
July 14, 2021 @ 2:01 am
Christmas is Christmas to me when there’s snow on the ground and my family is sitting together around the fireplace and tv, binge-watching Christmas movies, starting with “A Christmas Story”. We order pizza and eat the snickerdoodle cookies that I made the night before.
July 14, 2021 @ 7:56 am
That sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate!
July 14, 2021 @ 9:48 pm
Thank you!! It’s something we’ve done as a family since I had my son. It’s always neat to see what movie will be added to the list each year : )
July 15, 2021 @ 1:44 pm
Family and giving make Christmas, Christmas!
July 15, 2021 @ 4:02 pm
I think so too!
July 23, 2021 @ 3:29 pm
Family makes Christmas Christmas for me.
July 23, 2021 @ 7:18 pm
So true!
July 15, 2021 @ 1:46 pm
Christmas to me is enjoying all the different Christmas songs. From the kids favorite, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to “Mary Did You Know?”.
When my sweet hubby was alive we loved to sit in the dark watching the Christmas tree lights; not the same now that he’s gone, but I do love to think about him in Heaven during Christmas, wondering how Jesus’ earthly birth is celebrated there.
Thanks for this beautiful post and for a chance at the marvelous giveaway!!
July 15, 2021 @ 4:02 pm
What a sweet memory!
July 15, 2021 @ 4:22 pm
Christmas is a time when my whole family gathers together. It’s one of the few times we are able to see each other.
July 16, 2021 @ 3:34 pm
I love seeing all my siblings and nieces/nephews at Christmas!
July 16, 2021 @ 9:36 am
Christmas for me is the spirit of giving and thinking of others. While my kids were young, we were on the receiving end of other people’s generosity for Christmas presents, now I am in the position to pass it on and each year I pick at least one child off a giving tree to buy gifts for. We have also helped do gift boxes for children overseas. Christmas is too commercialized any more and more people need to remember that it is about celebrating the birth of Jesus then who gets the most expensive gift. I love decorating my home for the season with crèches, crosses and angels after all ‘Jesus is the reason for the Season’.
July 16, 2021 @ 3:35 pm
I agree. We participate in Operation Christmas Child and also lay wreaths on veteran graves as part of Wreaths Across America each December as a way to remember what the true meaning of Christmas.
July 17, 2021 @ 12:52 am
When I think of Christmas it is all about being with family and doing fun activities together.
July 17, 2021 @ 1:15 pm
Families do make Christmas special.
July 17, 2021 @ 3:55 pm
Christmas is making snowball cookies and rolling them in the powdered sugar. When eating, it looks like snow especially if you wear something dark. My grandma Mary showed us how to roll out sugar cookie dough and use cookie cutters. Tinting the frosting with food dye and putting cinnamon hearts on a bell, silver dragees (small silver balls) on Christmas trees and other doo-dads made cookie decorating artistic and delicious. After the frosting dried, we put the cookies in boxes with waxed paper separating the layers. It was fun to be able to choose one of our own handmade cookies to eat right away.
July 18, 2021 @ 7:57 pm
I’m intrigued by your snowball cookies–they sound delicious!
July 17, 2021 @ 6:53 pm
Christmas is Christmas when I attend Christmas Eve candle light service with family but sadly this will be my first Christmas without my parents.
July 18, 2021 @ 7:58 pm
Oh, it is hard to have your first Christmas without a parent or parents. Prayers you will find ways to honor their memory even amidst the sorrow of their passing.
July 18, 2021 @ 1:54 am
I enjoy the baking with family when they come home and visiting with friends and family, many of whom we only get to see once or twice a year. When our grandchildren were young, we attended Christmas Eve services where the nativity play was presented by the children. Families brought the baby Jesus from their nativity sets and at the end of the service , they were blessed. We would then take them home and place in the manger. When I was a child my mother’s family all got together for midnight mass. She was on of 9 siblings and I had at least 60 cousins. After mass we would go to my grandparents’ for brunch. It was wonderful chaos.
July 18, 2021 @ 7:58 pm
Wonderful chaos–that’s such a lovely way to describe it!
July 19, 2021 @ 2:54 pm
Christmas is gathering with family and sharing great food that we’ve all made together.
July 20, 2021 @ 1:40 pm
Cooking together as a family can be fun!
July 19, 2021 @ 9:41 pm
It’s The Christmas 🎄 Music that gets me in the Christmas spirit
July 20, 2021 @ 1:41 pm
I love our fresh tree every year!
July 27, 2021 @ 9:04 am
Christmas is when the house is decorated, the cinnamon pinecones are around the house (I actually DON’T like the smell of fresh pine- so artificial tree it is!) and my kids are home. So for me, it is mostly about the family- where we can all be together, and at home it is the atmosphere.