Grateful for Readers Giveaway

Writing is a solitary act. What happens between a writer and the page is personal. My kids tease me about going down the rabbit’s hole when I go downstairs to write, but it’s a pretty accurate description. With each step, the real world recedes. The laundry disappears, the grading disappears, the grocery list disappears. Copper Bluff comes into focus, and I am there again in Em’s bungalow, Dickinson at the porch window switching her tail.

But I am not alone. I was reminded of this recently at the launch of A Very Merry Murder, where I was surrounded by family, friends, and readers. Sharing something you love is never easy. There’s always the chance it will be rejected. Time, money, and effort can be invested without return or interest. And that doesn’t even acknowledge the personal risk of such an endeavor.

But the risk felt less risky surrounded by supporters, people like my husband, who has encouraged my writing dreams since the beginning; my daughters, who have been my cheerleaders on the bad days and my defenders on the really bad days; my mother, who has read so many drafts of my writing she deserves an honorary PhD; and my friends and relatives, who have bought my books and shared them with others.

That doesn’t even touch on readers, like you, who have taken a chance on an author who isn’t a best seller and who have invited the Prof. Prather series into your hearts. If you didn’t know it by now, the series is made up of a big part of mine. Your attendance at events, your emails, and your reviews have brought many bright spots into my days. “Thank you” doesn’t begin to express my gratitude for your kindness, but thank you.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to remember our blessings, so go ahead! Share one thing you’re grateful for and/or a Thanksgiving tradition. When you do, you’ll be entered into the giveaway for this Barnes and Noble tote bag. Isn’t it fun? The giveaway runs from November 19-21.  I’ll notify the winner via email and post the winner’s name on the blog.

Happy Thanksgiving!

51 Comments

  1. Diane Kellenburger on November 19, 2018 at 9:37 am

    I’m grateful that at age 71 I’ve found a love for tea and cozy mysteries! Happy Thanksgiving Mary Angela!!! 🦃❤

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 9:55 am

      Thank you, Diane. Tis the season for reading mysteries and sipping tea!

  2. Lily-Ann Gill on November 19, 2018 at 10:06 am

    I am grateful for the memories I am able to hold dear of my family when I was growing up. Going to my grandparents house for Thanksgiving and Christmas.. cherished memories forever ❤️❤️

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 11:09 am

      Thank you for sharing this heartwarming memory, Lily-Ann!

  3. Debbie Price on November 19, 2018 at 10:08 am

    I am grateful for my little apartment, my sweet dog and my library, which has a wonderful homebound program!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 11:08 am

      Happy Thanksgiving, Debbie! I’m so glad your library has a homebound program. It makes a world of difference to lots of people.

  4. Debra Branigan on November 19, 2018 at 10:25 am

    I am grateful for family. We have remained close and supportive despite the many miles between us and the years that have passed.

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 11:05 am

      There’s no better gift than the gift of family!

  5. Teresa Kerr on November 19, 2018 at 10:31 am

    I am grateful for my health at this Thanksgiving. Some people don’t have that and it makes me appreciate mine all the more.

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 11:05 am

      Yes, and here’s to a healthy New Year for all those experiencing difficulties.

  6. Sharon Guagliardo on November 19, 2018 at 10:32 am

    I am so grateful for my son. My husband, his dad, died last year and my son has been so helpful and supportive. He didn’t want me to be alone in Illinois any more, so he helped me to move out to Arizona to be with him in June.

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 11:03 am

      I’m so sorry for your loss, Sharon. I’m glad you can be near your son for the holidays.

  7. Candy Kennedy on November 19, 2018 at 10:46 am

    I am thankful for my loving husband who is my caregiver .Also for family who choose to help out. Good food and holidays coming

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 11:01 am

      I’m looking forward to lots of good food at Thanksgiving!

  8. Margaret Wurth on November 19, 2018 at 10:54 am

    I am thankful for my sisters

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 10:58 am

      I know what you mean. I have three sisters and am thankful for all of them!

  9. Marie Roberts on November 19, 2018 at 11:04 am

    I am grateful that there are so many authors that share their talents with us. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have all my wonderful books to read and listen to.

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 11:17 am

      Me, too, Marie. Reading is one of my most treasured activities.

  10. Celia Fowler on November 19, 2018 at 11:19 am

    I am thankful for so much — I have been truly blessed in my life. This Thanksgiving I am especially thankful that my family will all be together. Our Thanksgiving tradition is my Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake. Happy Thanksgiving!

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake sounds delicious! I hope you enjoy the holiday with your family, Celia.

  11. Robert Bilodeau on November 19, 2018 at 11:37 am

    Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas Mary. Thanks for the Great Books.
    Went to the Library yesterday to meet another Author – Kirsten Schowalter and her Book – I’m My Own Skin.
    A story of her life after her and her 3 sisters and Parents where in a bad car accident where her father died.

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 2:16 pm

      Happy holidays, Robert! You are very welcome. I wanted to see that presentation, but my kids had dance rehearsal. I hope I can catch it again another time. It looks like a heartfelt story and book.

  12. peggy clayton on November 19, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    I am so grateful for my son when he was young Drs discovered that i had the onset of RSD a nerve disease that carries pain 24 hrs. So after that there was many times when I was in the hospital and wouldn’t you know it he was the son who was there for me all the time. Recently my husband and I drove from Ia to Ca to visit this son and his daughter who was about to be 1. What a wonderful father and husband he is . We stayed at his house and he was just “Johnny on the spot” when the baby cried or he got things ready for his wife. She commented “He does this all the time.” I mentioned to him that I thought he as wonderful with both of the girls in his life and he said “Mom I had a great teacher!” That just made me cry and he hugged me till I was cried out I am so so grateful for my son who will be 36 next week and I just thought he was my turkey.

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 2:13 pm

      What a great story and son! This warms my heart.

  13. LuAnn Summers on November 19, 2018 at 12:13 pm

    Thank you for your generosity. I am very thankful for our family. We are all healthy and living a good life. With all that’s going on around the world this is something to not take for granted.

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 2:18 pm

      So true, LuAnn. It’s good to remember those who are less fortunate this holiday season.

  14. Faith Creech on November 19, 2018 at 12:13 pm

    Thank you so much for the chance to win a book. Happy Thanksgiving!

  15. Joanie Hinton on November 19, 2018 at 12:26 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win such a cute tote!!! Thankful that I am able to read so many (so very many) different authors and books….

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      Reading is the spice of life!

  16. Nancy on November 19, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    First of all, congratulations to the Newsletter Giveaway winner. I am thankful for my loving family. And thank you for letting me know about the opportunity to win this pretty book bag. Good luck everyone!

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks for subscribing to my newsletter, Nancy! If readers aren’t signed up for my newsletter yet, they can signup under the Mailing List tab. I do exclusive giveaways for subscribers only.

  17. JAIME MINTER on November 19, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    I’m thankful for my friends and family. Have a great Thanksgiving!

  18. Crystal Meek on November 19, 2018 at 3:51 pm

    I am thankful for so many things…
    For my husband and daughters and our busy lives buzzy from activity to activity. For family and friends and the times that we get to spend together. For a wonderful school community that our girls attend and develop relationships. For a yummy meal that we share as a family (especially my mom’s dressing!). For overall good health and well-being to enjoy the things that we love to do.
    Thank you, Mary, for sharing a part of yourself through Professor Prather and the Copper Bluff community!

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 8:22 pm

      Love this list, Crystal! I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving with your wonderful daughters and family.

  19. Ronda Smith on November 19, 2018 at 5:16 pm

    I am grateful for being cancer free after finding out this last spring I had stage 2 breast Cancer. For my family and friends that were there for me. Our tradition is to gather some where we can all fit in (there is between 30 to 50 of us). We also invite others to join our family so they can enjoy the holiday as it is meant to be, with family, friends, and good food.

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 8:25 pm

      So glad to hear you are cancer free, Rhonda. 50 people? That’s a lot of turkey! I hope you have a terrific day with family and friends.

  20. Cheryl Arcemont on November 19, 2018 at 6:24 pm

    Thank you for the opportunity to win this cute book bag as I am a lover of mysteries particularly cozy mysteries.
    I am very thankful this year for the birth (August 1st) of our first happy, healthy granddaughter!

    • Mary Angela on November 19, 2018 at 8:27 pm

      Congrats on your first granddaughter! This will be a special holiday season for the entire family.

  21. Christi King on November 19, 2018 at 9:11 pm

    I am thankful for friends who have become family.

    • Mary Angela on November 20, 2018 at 8:51 am

      Friends are important all year round!

  22. Karen Mercer on November 19, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    I am thankful for my family and friends. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

  23. Ta'Mara Hanscom on November 19, 2018 at 11:16 pm

    I am thankful for a faithful God! Happy Thanksgiving and blessings to you.

    • Mary Angela on November 20, 2018 at 8:53 am

      Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your family has a wonderful holiday.

  24. Barbara on November 20, 2018 at 4:21 am

    First, I’m thankful that at 71, hubby is still pretty healthy. Then, I’m thankful for my furbabies whose unconditional love is everything to me. Lastly, I’m thankful for the internet. That may sound strange, but, when I got online almost a decade ago, I went on FB, & found my sister who’d I’d lost touch with over 30 yrs. before. Also, it’s introduced me to so many wonderful cozy authors, series & other cozy fans. We live in a very rural area & our library is limited in it’s selections -but still a wonderful place!-so the internet has really opened up the cozy world to me.

    • Mary Angela on November 20, 2018 at 8:56 am

      I know what you mean. I joined FB when my first book came out two years ago, and it’s introduced me to so many new writers and readers. The online cozy world is so much fun!

  25. Renee on November 21, 2018 at 10:10 pm

    I’m grateful for every breath I take, that I can read, that m healthy….

    • Mary Angela on November 22, 2018 at 9:11 am

      Yes, very grateful for reading! Happy Thanksgiving, Renee.

  26. Mary Angela on November 22, 2018 at 9:17 am

    Congratulations to Cheryl Arcemont, the winner of the book bag! (FYI I select all winners randomly from a number generator at random.org.) Thanks to everyone for commenting and sharing your holiday traditions. Happy Thanksgiving!

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