The Big Aussie Christmas Giveaway

Here are the books my Australian readers have a chance to win in my Big Aussie Christmas Giveaway (apologies for the delay in posting!).

I have reviewed many of then so if you want more details click on the links in my sidebar under Past Reviews:~


Skid by Rene Gutteridge (#3 in the Occupational Hazards series)

Blissfully unaware that Atlantica Flight 1945 from Atlanta to Amsterdam is about to make aviation history, First Officer Danny McSweeney focuses his energies on navigating the turbulent personalities of an eccentric female captain, a co-pilot with a talent for tactless comments and conspiracy theories, and a lead flight attendant with an outsized attitude that definitely exceeds the limits for carry-on baggage. On the other side of the cockpit door, the unscheduled in-flight entertainment includes a potbellied pig, a jittery diamond courier, and the recently jilted Lucy Meredith, whose personal mantra of “What Would Oprah Do?” will be challenged by the sudden appearance of her ex and his new traveling partner. On her left sits Hank Hazard, whose unusually polite but constant requests–prompted by his covert role as a spy for the airline–test the limits of the crews customer service.

Embrace Me by Lisa Samson

Biting and gentle, hard-edged and hopeful . . . a beautiful fable of love and power, hiding and seeking, woundedness and redemption.

When a “lizard woman,” a self-mutilating preacher, a tattoed monk, and a sleazy lobbyist find themselves in the same North Carolina town one winter, their lives are edging precariously close to disaster . . . and improbably close to grace.




In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett

Devout Anne Boleyn uses her influence over Henry VIII to champion an English translation of the Bible. Meanwhile Rose, a woman of the streets, is moved to seek God by Thomas More—ignorant of his efforts to destroy those same Scriptures. A remarkable story of two women, their guardian angels, and the book that launched the Reformation!


The Rook by Steven James (#2 in The Bowers Files)

While investigating a series of baffling fires in San Diego, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue where nothing is as it appears to be. With his own criminology research being turned against him and one of the worlds most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught up in a race against time to stop a criminal masterminds trap before it closes around him and the people he loves.

Book 2 in The Bowers Files, this riveting look into the darkness that lies in every soul is the perfect follow-up to James’s critically acclaimed bestselling thriller, The Pawn.



Conspiracy in Kiev by Noel Hynd

A shrewd investigator and an expert marksman, Special Agent Alexandra LaDuca can handle any case the FBI gives her. Or can she? Connecting the dots between an assassination attempt in Ukraine, a murder in Paris, and a brutal attack on a remote village in South America takes Alex on a dangerous puzzle-solving, soul-searching journey that changes her forever.

Try Dying by James Scott Bell

Rising legal star Ty Buchanan is anticipating a bright future with his beautiful fiancee, Jacqueline. When she’s killed, the authorities say it was a freak accident—but a witness tells Ty it was murder! Determined to discover the truth, he relentlessly navigates the Los Angeles underworld—and finds himself the target of a killer!

That‘s (Not Exactly) Amore by Tracey Bateman (#3 in The Drama Queen Series)

When Laini Sullivan lands a job designing Nick Pantalone’s coffee shop, there are two problems: one, Nick’s nephew Joe hates all of her ideas and two, Laini has to admit he’s right–she’s a disaster at design. Still, she can’t risk losing the job. To compromise, Joe brings in help on the project, while Laini continues to bake the goodies that keep his customers lining up.

Their relationship is moving along, so when new guy Officer Mark Hall implies that Joe’s family is tied to the mob, Laini doesn’t want to believe it. But things spin out of control when she meets the family, including “the uncles,” who seem to confirm Mark’s suspicions. To make things worse, Nana Pantalone makes it clear Laini isn’t the kind of girl she has in mind for her grandson. Laini’s not sure if she should give Joe the benefit of the doubt or just set her sites on Mark and fuhgetaboutit.

The Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka

Packer Throme,a failed seminarian turned master swordsman,sets out on a great quest, but not in search of fame. He hopes to honor God by stowing away on (former) pirate Scatter Wilkins’s ship Trophy Chase, convincing its captain and crew to seek the legendary firefish—a feat that could raise Packers fishing village from poverty and win the heart of his longtime love, the beautiful Panna Seline. Don’t miss this enchanting tale!

With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman (#3 in the Crossroads of Grace series)

Belleville, Illinois and Wyoming Territories, 1861.

Born into a life of privilege, fourteen-year-old Belinda never questions her security, even as she leaves Illinois with her family to discover new adventures in the Oregon Territory. But when disaster falls, Belinda is left wounded, weak, and alone. Her faith in God gives her the only strength she knows in a harsh new world.Belinda’s journey takes her to a snow-covered mining camp and a red-roofed brothel in the Wyoming mountains, but not before she must spend a lonely winter with the man who took away the life she knew. Throughout the grief and hope of a strange land, Belinda must decide if her faith is big enough to allow her to forgive.

Truffles by the Sea by Julie Carobini (#2 Chocolate Series)

Determined to turn her life around, Gaby Flores moves to a beachfront loft, takes on a new motto, “Be gullible no more, ” and begins to rebuild her flower store while searching for Mr. So Right. But when a lawsuit, an eviction notice, a near-empty bank account, and quirky neighbors invade her beachy world, not even chocolate can solve her worries as her fledgling faith is put to the test.

Wishing On Dandelions by Mary DeMuth (#2 Maranatha Series)

When Miss Peach arrives to take over the only place Maranatha’s ever called home—leaving trails of fabric swatches and cloying perfume in her wake—it rouses Maranatha’s issues with trust. Can the 17-year-old, whose childhood was bruised by abandonment and abuse, sort out the confusing layers of love for friends, family, boyfriends—and God?


The Secret of Us by Roxanne Henke

Married for nearly a quarter century to a workaholic husband, Laura Dunn helps with her daughter’s wedding plans . . . and wonders wistfully about life’s lost horizons. The rest of the family was able to succeed at their dreams; could she possibly now realize one of her own now—and become an artist?


The Root of All Evil by Brandt Dodson (#3 Colton Parker Series)

Wealthy businessman Berger Hume is dying. And the one thing he wants most is the one thing his millions cannot buy a relationship with the son he has never met. As Colton Parker, private investigat
or, searches to locate the son, he finds himself the target of threats from a powerful gang with ties that extend to highlevel government.The twists of this case cause Colton to question his own values. Will he risk the one thing that matters most? And will this race against time become a race for his own life?

Forsaken by James David Jordan

When Simon Mason, the world’s best-known televangelist, receives threats from Muslim terrorists, he hires beautiful former Secret Service agent Taylor Pasbury to take charge of his security. Taylor is thrilled to receive the high-profile assignment, but she has no idea that Simon already knows more about her than she could imagine. When the terrorists strike, making a demand of the pastor that would shake the most steadfast saint, Taylor draws on all of her hard-knock toughness and training as she fights to save Simon and his daughter. Along the way, she discovers that she is not the only one who has done things she would like to forget–and she is not the only one who understands that some things are more important than living.


Red Helmet by Homer Hickam

Song Hawkins is a beautiful, tough, but lonely New York City businesswoman who thinks she’s met the man of her dreams in Cable Jordan, the superintendent of a West Virginia coal mine. But soon after they impulsively marry during a romantic holiday, Song realizes they’re in big trouble. She can’t imagine life outside of New York, and Cable has no intention of leaving Highland.

Song’s visit to the little mining community to meet its quirky citizens only makes things worse and it looks like the marriage is over. But in a shocking turn of events, Song realizes it’s up to her to put on the red helmet of the new coal miner and descend into the deep darkness to make a life-changing sacrifice for both Cable and the entire town.


To enter:~

You must have an Australian postal address and post a comment telling me which books you would like to win (feel free to put “all”) by Monday 15th December, 2008.

Please let your friends know to give them the opportunity to win a gift for themselves or a Christmas present for someone else!

So I can share the love I am limiting the number of books one person can with to two!

Go for it!


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22 Responses to The Big Aussie Christmas Giveaway

  1. great giveaway Rel.I would love to win With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman (#3 in the Crossroads of Grace series)Others i would be interested in I already have or have read.

  2. Oh boy! How exciting!!Please enter me! I’d be excited about any (except Embrace Me as I already have that 😀 — but I recommend it to anyone else) but especially:SkidThe RookTry DyingThe Legend of the Firefish, orRed Helmet (almost bought this one last week)😀daniellecentral [at] gmail [dot] com

  3. I’d like to win:Conspiracy in KievTry DyingForsakenI already have Skid – it’s a great book. Can’t wait to read the next one, whenever that comes out.bethstitch09(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)auMerry Christmas, Rel.

  4. Oh choices, choices!!!! Here are my picks, in order of preference…The Secret of Us by Roxanne HenkeForsaken by James David JordanConspiracy in Kiev by Noel HyndRed Helmet by Homer HickamYou know where to find me 😉

  5. It is too hard to choose. I am pretty sure i have not read any of them. Reading the info thoughThe Secret of Us and The Red Helmet and With endless Sight.Hope you have a restful time with the family this christmas.Louise Veenstrabuilder4lulu@hotmail.com

  6. SO many good ones. I already have Embrace me but other than that would love to win any. Thanks for doing this Rel.

  7. Thanks for offering a great Christmas giveaway Narelle. As I haven’t read any of the books on offer I would love to win any one of them, they all sound good. But the blogs on Foresaken and With Endless Sight really sound interesting. Thanks once again for the time and effort you put into Rel’s Review,its a great website. Wishing you and the family a wonderful Christmas Wendyb

  8. Hi Rel,How fantastic. I wanna win one! or two! My favourites would be Embrace MeWishing on DandelionsTruffles by the SeaWith Endless SightIn the Shadow of LionsRed HelmetLooking forward to hearing from you!!Hope you have a special Christmas with the family, Rel.Jane K

  9. Guess you’ll need my email address: malnjane@bigpond.comThanks, Rel, Jane K

  10. Well Rel, I just love reading so much that I would love them all (or even just two!). With the holidays fast approaching, I will have ample time to read them too!Allison

  11. Great giveaway!!!I’d love to win:Conspiracy in KievThe Legend of the FirefishTruffles by the Sea (!)Wishing on DandelionsThe Secret of UsRed HelmetThanks heaps!!

  12. Okay, Rel!! I’ve got to throw my hat in the ring here! My choices:Red HatThe Root of All EvilThe Legend of the FirefishConspiracy in KievKeeping my fingers crossed!Kimkimfurd at hotmail dot com

  13. Hey Rel,Well, I would really love to win Skid because I have read the first 2 in the Occupational Hazards. They are great books! My second choice would be Try Dying by James Scott Bell. I enjoy his writing style. As long as there are no jungles involved I would be happy with most anything!!!! LOL Have a great day! Thanks, Misty

  14. Thanks Rel for being so generous. I'm going to be greedy & ask that I be put in for all of them. Merry Christmas!

  15. Hi Rel,My Sister Angela sent me your link, so I thought why not enter, I only have 1 author at the moment that I have been reading, so it would be good to expand my reading/author exposure.I would like any of the books listed if I am successful in winning the competition.ThanksHeather

  16. Hi Rel,What a lovely gift idea! I would be interested in either Embrace Me by Lisa Samson or In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett. Thanks for your kindness. Have a great Christmas…Jesus is the reason for the season! Diana dianacrawford_kat@hotmail.com

  17. Hi Rel!What a fantastic variety of titles!!!I’d be interested in:In the Shadow of Lions,That’s (Not Exactly) Amore,The Legend of the Firefish,With Endless Sight,Truffles by the Sea,Wishing on Dandelions,The Secret of Us,Guess that’s about all of them… But they all Sound so good!!!!Thanks heaps 🙂ELyse best_before_10(at)hotmail.com

  18. this sounds great 🙂i’d love to be able to win:*The Rook by Steven James (#2 in The Bowers Files)*Conspiracy in Kiev by Noel Hynd*Try Dying by James Scott Bell*Wishing On Dandelions by Mary DeMuth (#2 Maranatha Series)*Forsaken by James David Jordan*Red Helmet by Homer Hickamthey all sounds very interesting. thanks 🙂

  19. This IS exciting! My first preference would be In the shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett. My second preference would be Try Dying by James Scott Bell (for a christmas present for my husband). My third choice would be With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman and my fourth choice would be The Secret of Us by Roxanne Henke. If I couldn’t have any of the above then I wouldn’t mind any of the others either as I could always think of someone to give them to for Christmas!

  20. What a fantasic giveaway and so many great books! My first preference would be Try Dying,then Conspiracy in Kiev, Forsaken, The Rook, In the shadows of Lions. Ta Rel.

  21. Hi Rel – boy you are good to us. What a great giveaway! My choices are: Conspiracy in KievThats (not exactly) AmoreTruffles by the SeaThe Secret of UsThe root of all evilForsakenRed HelmetThanks again!

  22. Looks like a good selection of books. I would be happy with any of them, but particularlyThe Secret of Us by Roxanne HenkeandWith Endless Sight by Allison PittmanHope you have a great Christmas!Hazel

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