Giveaway- Thirty Little Fingers

I don't have to introduce Sheila Petre to many of you. You have already have enjoyed her stories of marriage and motherhood in various publications such as Keepers at Home magazine. I had enjoyed Sheila's writing some time before finding that she both lived near me AND her husband and mine are related.

Today I count Sheila one of those friends who I can stop by unannounced. I now know that, not only is she a talented writer, but she is also a real mom with dishes in her sink, toys on the floor, and adorable children riding bikes in the driveway. I also learn that I never leave her presence without being encouraged.

Thirty Little Fingers: Seasons of Young Motherhood is a brand new book compiling Sheila's stories, essays, poems, (and even a few recipes). Many of these articles were previously published in Ladies Journal, KAH, or other magazine, but many others have never been published. With a mix of short and longer articles, it is a perfect book to pick up when I have a few minutes. A few pages will probably have me smiling, maybe laughing out loud, sometimes wiping tears - maybe on the same page.

Sheila writes about the joys of sweet new babies, funny preschoolers, and shared laughter. But she doesn't ignore the squabbles, the misunderstandings, and fatigue that arrive with many small children. The book spans numerous years; you'll find Sheila's family growing from two to seven children (in about that many years). I know young mothers will relate to this book, but I think that women in a completely different season of life will enjoy these pages.

Whether Sheila is surviving the latest version of the stomach bug, battling the summer garden harvest, or hosting a Muslim student for a year - life is never dull. Joy is found in the cracks of living and always God's grace is found in a word of Scripture, a child's dimples, or a husband's admonition. I love that Sheila doesn't pretend to be perfect, but encourages me to keep trying, like her, to lean harder on God to be a more godly mother.

You can read a sample of Sheila's writing at Antics of an International Potluck - one of the essays she edited for inclusion in Thirty Little Fingers.

Now for the giveaway. Sheila may be the author of several books, but she believes there is no writing genre of higher order than the personal letter or card. Many of the stories in Thirty Little Fingers began as letters to friends. So Sheila suggested this fun idea for a blog giveaway for her book.

If you received a personal letter or card in the mail in the last month - not a birthday card, not Christmas mail, a real, just-because-you're-my-friend card or letter - you may nominate the person that sent you the mail by leaving a comment on this post. Sheila is willing to give away TEN copies of Thirty Little Fingers to those you nominate - if we get ten names. Her husband, Michael said, "These are blog readers, they don't write snail mail," and maybe he is right. But if we get more than ten nominations, I'll do a random drawing.

But I know that there are some people who DO send mail. We have a large basket filled with the mail sent to us since May. If you are like our family and have had a health crisis that has resulted in a deluge of letters, cards, and care packages, just choose one person to nominate whose mail was especially meaningful to you. I bought an extra copy of Thirty Little Fingers from Sheila to send to a blog reader who has blessed us with a handwritten card every single week since Ed's surgery in May.

To purchase your own copy of Thirty Little Fingers (or buy one for a gift for your mom friend) send a check payable to Sheila Petre at P.O. Box 127, Mercersburg, PA 17236. Books are $13 each (which includes shipping to US addresses). Five or more copies, $11 each. PA residents add 6% sales tax. For larger-quantity discounts or questions, email Sheila at sheilajoyful@emypeople.net

Thirty Little Fingers is also available from the publisher, call Carlisle Press at 1-800-852-4482.

Sheila plans to have a book signing in New Holland, PA on January 6. Contact Sheila for more details if you are in that area.

Sheila gave me a copy to review, but I bought several copies myself and all opinions stated here are my own.

Giveaway is open for one week from today. Please give your email address so I can contact you if you win. US mailing addresses only, please.

Edit: Giveaway is now closed.