A Merry, Merry Christmas Giveaway!

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I want you to have something extra to be thankful for, and I need time to have these get mailed out to you.

What could be better than solving a gift problem for one of the most difficult people-to-buy-for on your Christmas list? Wait until you hear about this, and I'm sure you'll agree that it's not too early. The generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to host another major book giveaway! This time I choose the titles. I asked if I could offer two titles that Johnny (who hates to read) has actually read (!) and enjoyed!

Both of the following books are about awesome Christian men. Read the publisher's description in blue, followed by my review in black. Decide which one you'd like to get for that hard-to-buy-for man in your life, and follow the directions below. I understand that some people reading this will not be interested; that's fine, but please leave me a comment anyway. (I get awfully lonely!)

From the commander of the Delta Force team portrayed in the movie Black Hawk Down comes a gripping testimony of faith refined by the fire of unimaginable trial! Learn how General Boykin's experiences in the Special Forces---and in the crosshairs of the media---shook and ultimately strengthened his trust in God.

My Review:
Johnny and I are very different people. I am an avid reader; he would tell you that he hates to read. Nevertheless, when this book came into our home, he picked it up. (Trust me, that's unusual.) He turned a couple of pages, and when I gently suggested he take a look at it, he began to read! He did not stop that first day until he got to sixty-some pages.

The following day, he picked it up and read some more! As we drove down the street one day, he began to tell me about this man's life. I asked, "If this were made into a movie..."

"I'd go see it!" he exclaimed, interrupting me. He loves action films, and he said that's what kind of film this book would make. On another day, he stated, "This man is a machine! You can't believe the things he's done!" Well, he finished reading the book! Yep, he read all 350 pages, and he loved it.


Josh Hamilton was the first player chosen in the first round of the 1999 baseball draft. He was destined to be one of those rare "high-character " superstars. But in 2001, working his way from the minors to the majors, all of the plans for Josh went off the rails in a moment of weakness. What followed was a 4-year nightmare of drugs and alcohol, estrangement from friends and family, and his eventual suspension from baseball.

BEYOND BELIEF details the events that led up to the derailment. Josh explains how a young man destined for fame and wealth could allow his life to be taken over by drugs and alcohol. But it is also the memoir of a spiritual journey that breaks through pain and heartbreak and leads to the rebirth of his major-league career.

Josh Hamilton makes no excuses and places no blame on anyone other than himself. He takes responsibility for his poor decisions and believes his story can help millions who battle the same demons. "I have been given a platform to tell my story" he says. "I pray every night I am a good messenger."

My Review:
My husband, who by his own definition, is a non-reader, thought that this book was "great!" Addicted to sports, my husband grabbed this book when it came into our home. This is an easy read for any baseball addict, but is also a good read even for a non-lover of the game. In this memoir, Josh Hamilton is so talented a ball player that he receives $3.9 million bonus just for signing with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at age eighteen.

Here is a man devoted to family and God, who comes close to throwing all away. My husband found himself getting angry as he read about the many bad choices Josh made for four long years! The promise of a Golden Life tarnishes because of drugs and alcohol.

Family ties are strong, and one special family member comes through to help him turn around, and advance all the way to the All-Star Home Run Derby in 2008.

Now here's the amazing part. This giveaway is for five (5) copies each of these newly released, brand new, hardbound books! That's a total of ten (10) books!

• Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing addresses, please.
• I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in code in your comment: you[at]yourmail[dot]com (Please do not ask me to look it up!)
• I'll close the comments at 6PM EST November 18th and pick the ten winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner(s).
• If you're interested, just say so in a comment. (If you are not interested, please leave me a comment anyway because you KNOW how I love comments!)
• Last giveaway, I felt badly because so many said they wanted the book, but they neglected to leave the all-important email address in code.