Wednesday, November 9, 2011

A Book Review and My First Giveaway!!

When author Sharon Altman contacted me about reviewing her  Advent adventure book,
which she wrote with her daughter Christine Winkelman,
I started thinking about how rich our Advents are
and how much we, as Christians and Catholics do to prepare 
for the infant Christ.
She had me very excited and I didn't have to wait long, 
I received the book the very next day!
I've read about half of the book's 24 chapters 
and 
am stopping myself to start over and share with my children when Advent begins
(18 days to be exact I believe!)
The book has 24 chapters, which is perfect for each day in December leading up to 
Christmas Eve, but, I need that extra time for those times when we might miss a day!
(so I'm starting when Advent begins)

This book was a delight.
The chapters are short enough to do every night and not feel pressured to "fit it in".
At the end of each chapter, the authors wrote a page called
"Travel Guide to the Past"
where they explain customs and facts about the era of time and geography.
It's really interesting.

Another thing I really liked was, at the beginning of the book,
The authors came up with a list of 24 items, one for each chapter, 
to be wrapped up and opened each day.
The items are mostly found in your home,
or are very inexpensive.
(things like the camel from your Nativity set, or the sheep, dates, pistachios, a pear or an orange)

I'm going to quote here from the back of the book so you have an idea what the story is about:

"Two boys, Isaac and Jediah, experience adventure while traveling through ancient Palestine.
As their journey unfolds, the boys find themselves at the heart of the Nativity Story and gradually
realize God's greatest promise, the birth of the Messiah, is at hand."


I would like to giveaway 2 copies of this book to you readers
(my very first giveaway!) 

Leave your name and how to contact you in my comment box.
(email info)

I will have a drawing on Monday, November 14 and post the winners here!
Last chance to enter will be Sunday evening, November 13th
(So, if you don't win, you'll have a chance to order in time for Advent!)
THIS IS NOW CLOSED!
THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!!
I'LL POST WINNERS TOMORROW!

64 comments:

  1. hey that sounds fantastic! my girls would love it...

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  2. (oh - email address is laurel stein at gmail dot com)

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  3. Ohhh how exciting! I'd love to enter for a chance at this!

    You can contact me at my blog, which should be connected to this comment, should I happen to be a lucky winner! I didn't want to leave my email publicly. =o)

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  4. We read through this last year and the kids enjoyed it! So, if I'm fortunate enough to win, I plan to pass it along to a Godchild. Thanks, Jamie.

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  5. Oh my gosh, that sounds like a great read! Especially for my 9 year old guy. Perfect!

    reneespez at hotmail dot com

    Awesome!

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  6. Hi Jamie....
    Thanks for the chance to win -- this sounds like a great book.

    Like Kelli, please go to my blog (or your address book!!) should I be lucky enough to win!! ;-)

    Blessings~

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  7. We'd love to win!

    laura.hastie at gmail dot com

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  8. Sounds like a great book. I'm always looking for a good read for Advent!

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  9. The book looks fantastic- thanks for the giveaway! johnsonwendya at gmail dot com

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  10. We read this two advents ago. It is an awesome book and added so much to our season. I have loaned out that copy and would love another to loan or gift away!

    mom7_06(@)yahoo(dot)com

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  11. Looks exciting!
    We've gone through all 4 of the Jotham's Journey's books. It'd be fun to start a different book this Advent!

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  12. That sounds wonderful! Please enter me in your drawing. You should get my email in the notification of this comment. Thanks and God bless you, Jamie!

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  13. This will be our 3rd or 4th year reading "Destination Bethlehem." It has become part of our Advent tradition. Like Suzie, if I win, I will pass it along to a godchild. It would make the perfect gift!

    Thanks, Jamie!
    And I hope your children enjoy reading this wonderful book this Advent.

    Blessings!

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  14. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. This would be great for the family prayer each night with the advent wreath. Looking to put more of Christ in Christmas than the other things like...snowmen, santa, etc.
    Ann
    huan0225@yahoo.com

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  15. Sounds like a great book! Love giveaways!

    b.arganbright@gmail.com

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  16. The books sounds great! I love adding new traditions to our advent. Reading is always a great way to prepare.

    You can contact me through my blog.

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  17. Sounds so fun!

    jenny reosti at yahoo dot com

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  18. Awesome! collmart at gmail dot com

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  19. I better win because I am your best friend!!!! hee hee..ya know I am joshing ya right!!!

    Give aways are so cool. It is sorta like the lottery. How fun it is to WIN!

    Enjoying the sunshine today? Please put up your feet and hit your porch. It is Wed. and hopefully not so crazy for you.

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  20. No need to enter me in the giveaway since we have the book, but I wanted to comment saying that we *loved* this book during Advent. We read it as a family two years ago and our whole family really enjoyed it and looked forward to it each evening.

    I think it's a wonderful addition to any family's Advent reading library!!

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  21. Megan dunk6mom at yahoo dot com.

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  22. So COOL to get this many HELLO's and I will enter again for a win!

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  23. ME again! Sick of "ME" yet??? Wonder if you are going to do that counter thing that chooses....or have a kid pick a name? Gotta enter me for every comment!!!! hee hee

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  24. Just one more time....so you think I am really weird.

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  25. Christine, one entry---sorry, if I had like 100 people, well, then maybe...We already know you are weird, no explanations needed!

    Everyone: I will let the kiddos pick 2 names, more fun that way and I don't know how to do that other thing!!

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  26. I'm always up for new traditions! I definitely have had fun "rewriting" my holiday traditions as I learn more, both for me and for the kids.

    nmlove(dot)123(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Sounds like a good read! I agree about posting my email publicly, so should I win, leave me a comment at my blog, too :)
    God Bless.

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  28. Sounds like a great book! I hope I win! :)
    email- 3lipps@cox.net
    Thanks for doing this!!

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  29. I picked the perfect day to start reading your blog!

    jen.brannon72@gmail.com

    The book sounds wonderful!

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  30. Sounds good!
    Lmisleh@fuse.net

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  31. Sounds fun!

    When...I mean...IF I win, hehe, you can contact me at my blog. Thanks!

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  32. This looks like a great book.

    sumner dot traci at gmail dot com

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  33. I am always looking for something new to engage my children in Advent and this book looks interesting and like it would fit the bill. Please include me in your drawing - bporkert at usa dot net)

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  34. First time checking out your blog...love it! My children would really enjoy this book. My email address is vpkosch at aol dot com

    Thank you!

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  35. That sounds great. I'm always looking for new ways to add to our Advent traditions.

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  36. This looks like a great giveaway! :) Thanks for the opportunity.

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  37. Looks like a fun book.

    check out my cooking blog...contact me there at that address

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  38. Count me in please:-)
    email:
    carreon x 6 at msn dot com

    Like the others I may pick this up for my godbabies.

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  39. We are looking for a new advent family read-aloud. It sounds like this would fit the bill!

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  40. Sound awesome! Missy_walls at yahoo.com

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  41. Very cool! Thanks for the chance to win one!

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  42. OH MAN...you got support from the queen....Margaret!!! You lucky girl you.

    still crossing my fingers!!

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  43. I would love to add this book to our family Advent fun. Thanks.

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  44. Awesome giveaway! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    tinafisher5@gmail.com

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  45. I'd love to win this book. Contact me at radial at woh dot rr dot com

    Thanks

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  46. It's always nice to have something new for reading during Advent. If my number is drawn, contact vogeldm at iw dot net. Thanks!

    Mary

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  47. My bday is Nov 13th so I'm taking a chance! I'm always open to new ideas and traditions, so this book could be what we're looking for?
    God bless, you know where to find me.

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  48. Thanks for the chance to win. The book looks great and I'm sure my kids will love it! Colleen

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  49. We have loved this book for the last 2 Advents!If I win I would love to give it as a gift...God bless.

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  50. Pick me, please!!!! You know how to find me! ;)

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  51. I need that! You know my email address ;)

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  52. Jamie ... we've read this book the last two Advents and my kids love it!

    (You don't need to enter me in the giveaway, since we already own it ... my luck and I'd win this time ... never have.)

    I think of you and your little one often, and our family holds you in prayer.

    Michelle

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  53. I love your first give away!
    Camila Irwin : email is. Camila[dot]irwin[at]gmail[dot]com

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  54. How fun! Thanks for the chance to win!

    celeste dot cruz at gmail dot com

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  55. It sounds wonderful! Please enter me in the contest. ashour underscore 23 at sbcglobal dot net

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  56. Wow, sounds terrific!
    sdgirlgeek at gmail dot com
    Thanks!!

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  57. Jamie:

    This is great, thank you!

    Kelly
    kfavre@sbcglobal.net

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  58. Hi Jamie,
    Hello from Maryland :) Monday is my birthday...so I thought I'd try my luck :) would LOVE to use this book with our five daughters :)
    Enjoy your blog..you can reach me at esladicphotography@yahoo.com or www.esladicphotography.com
    God bless!

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  59. Sounds like a great story that my kids would enjoy!
    cbeargie at yahoo dot com

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  60. I'd love a chance at what looks like a great book! Thanks! meganliving at yahoo dot com

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  61. This is now closed!! I'll have winners tomorrow!

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Thank you so much for stopping and commenting!