Author interview~Penny Zeller~Book Giveaway

Here is the link of my review of McKenzie
http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2011/02/mckenzie-by-penny-zellera-review.html

Penny thanks for taking the time to visit us today! I appreciate you answering these few questions. It will be fun to get to know you better. Tell us a little about yourself.

Thank you so much for having me here, Wanda!

How long did you write before you were published?

In November 2000, I quit my fulltime job as a caseworker at a social services agency to stay home with my infant daughter. At that time, I dedicated my writing to the Lord and began writing numerous articles for national and regional publications and anthologies. My first article was published in June 2001.
My first book, “Hollyhocks,” was published in 2003. My second book, “Wyoming Treasures” was published in 2005; followed by “The Decision” (an ebook) in 2007; “77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others” in 2008; “McKenzie” in September 2010; and “Kaydie” in March 2011.
Writing is my ministry and I pray God will use it to impact lives for Christ.

Tell us about “McKenzie,” the featured book.

I am so blessed about the release of “McKenzie,” the first book in my Montana Skies Series. Here is a short blurb:

Desperation to rescue her younger sister from an abusive husband prompts McKenzie Worthington to run away from her stately Boston home as a mail-order bride for a rancher in the rugged Montana Territory.

Desperation also prompted Zachary Sawyer to post the ad for a bride, and he eagerly awaits the woman God has chosen for his wife.

When they meet, McKenzie tries to keep her distance, but she can't help feeling attracted to Zach and his selfless ways. What will become of her plan to annul the marriage when she finds her sister?

I would love to share, too, Wanda, about the interesting testimony behind “McKenzie.” My family and I were in a car accident a couple years ago where I suffered neck and leg injuries. During that time period of seven months, I was also hit with back-to-back bacterial infections. Because of the injuries and illness, I was pretty much homebound and my active athletic lifestyle suddenly became limited. I look back now and praise God that He gave me McKenzie, as well as two other manuscripts (another historical and a contemporary) I wrote in that seven month period of pain and illness. God took what was a difficult time for me and turned it around to something positive that can be used for His Kingdom – taking the time to write the books that I had always wanted to write.

He has since healed me and I pray daily that the path I have chosen in life will glorify Him. I think that’s why Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “’For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” is so close to my heart.

Thanks for sharing that with us Penny!

Is there any person who has been a strong influence in your writing journey?

When I was in second grade, my teacher, Mrs. Vernon, encouraged me to never stop writing stories about Jesus (I began my writing career rewriting Bible stories and publishing them in homemade cardboard books).
In addition, my husband and children have been strong supporters of my writing. As far as influencers or mentors, I would have to say authors Sharlene MacLaren and Amanda Cabot have been wonderful mentors to me.

What message do you want to be clear to your readers?

I hope my readers will get from “McKenzie”- and all of my novels- the power of God’s love, redemption, hope, and forgiveness. I want them to catch a glimpse inside my characters’ lives and see that God can and does change hearts.

What are some of your likes and dislikes? Your hobbies, interests? Where do you like to vacation?

I love spending time with my family and hiking, camping, canoeing, playing volleyball, reading, and gardening. My family and I love to camp in the summers and often head to the mountains in our travel trailer. I dislike mean people and asparagus.

Tell us a little-known fact about yourself that readers may not know.

What a fun question to answer! *grins* Let’s see, I think one of the most interesting things would be how I met my husband, Lon, of almost 19 years. I met him through a prank phone call when my sister, cousin, and I found his football picture in the newspaper and decided to call him one day. I thought he was just the cutest! (He went to a neighboring school and was a state champion football player, while I was a cheerleader at my school). We met in person for the first time the following week at the local gas station where I told him my real name. (Having an overactive imagination allowed me to come up with just the perfect name when I prank phone-called him). Lon rode up on his motorcycle and I drove up in my old-fashioned high school clunker. Our eyes met…and the rest, as they say, is history!

That is so sweet!

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

I pray each morning that I would get accomplished only what the Lord would have me accomplish that day. I then make it a priority to work on my writing, which is about 35 hours a week. My novels vary in how long they take me to write. I’ve written one in as little as two months; and I have one novel I’m still working on years later because of the immense detail and the emotional intertwining of lives.

What are you currently reading?

I am reading a fantastic love story by Christian Author Melinda Evaul titled “Grow Old With Me.” I’m also reading and studying Acts in the Bible.

I just finished the same book today. Wow!

Do you grow flowers or vegetables? What are your favorite flowers?

I absolutely love flowers! Each Mother’s Day, my husband and children take me to the local nursery and I go crazy buying flowers (flowers are such an addiction for me and one of the most beautiful of God’s creations!) I come home and we, as a family, plant them in numerous pots. Then, because we live in a cold climate with short summers, I put all of the pots in the garage during the evenings until the nights are warmer. My most favorite flower is the daisy, but I also love petunias and pansies. J We also plant a small vegetable garden each summer.

What are you writing now?

The second book in my Montana Skies Series, Kaydie, just released this month, and I just finished the third book in the series, Hailee, which is scheduled for release in September. I'm also working on a historical romance series that takes place in the Post-Civil War Era. I recently finished book one in the series and have started writing book two.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with my readers at
my website www.pennyzeller.com,
my humor blog, A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author: www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com, on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pennyzeller, and
on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-A-Zeller/96391560959?ref=ts

And thanks for spending this time with us, Penny.

Thank you so much for allowing me the privilege of being a guest on your blog, Wanda. God’s blessings to you and your family.

We wish you much success.

Penny Zeller will give away this wonderful book (McKenzie) to one of you!
Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

Here are the ways to get extra entries:
~Be or become a follower +1
~Be or become an email subscriber +1
~Be or become a networked blog follower +1

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. ENTRY DEADLINE March 27, 2011

See The Light's- ART CLASS- DVD Giveaway

ONLY GIVING AWAY FIRST DVD!
ABOUT THE DVDs

Bring an art teacher into your home with See The Light's ART CLASS (Volumes 1-9; 36 lessons)! Every lesson provides kids with progressive, hands-on tools to learn everything from basic art skills to advanced techniques. **Step-By-Step Tutoring ** Progressive Skill Building ** Integrated Art History & Biblical Truth ** No Workbooks Ever - Only Basic Supplies //
Volume 1: The Basics (Lessons 1-4);
Volume 2: Shape & Space (Lessons 5-8);
Volume 3: Value & Color (Lessons 9-12);
Volume 4: Color Blending Techniques (Lessons 13-16);
Volume 5: Proportions For Composition (Lessons 17-20);
Volume 6: Texture & Form (Lessons 21-24);
Volume 7: Perspective For The Landscape (Lessons 25-28);
Volume 8: Balance & Foreshortening (Lessons 29-32);
Volume 9: The Portrait (Lessons 33-36)
//Individual DVDs of the 9 Volumes are also available for $14.99/DVD for consumers interested in purchasing directly from See The Light Shine website.
See The Light Curriculum resources provide materials that are Biblically based, age appropriate, God honoring and Christ centered. These materials motivate, challenge, and
demonstrate how the eternal truth of God’s Word can be practically applied to every situation in life. What makes our curriculum different from other curriculum is that it uniquely encourages children to explore the Bible through interactive art, memory verse games, plays, puppet stories, object lessons and even more. It’s fun, effective and easy to use, requiring very little preparation and setup time! Plus, through our engaging
online resources, families can re-experience these lessons at home.



ABOUT THE ARTIST Pat Knepley
Pat has been drawing and painting since she was able to hold a crayon and loves sharing her passion for Art with kids! Pat graduated with a degree and teaching credential in Art Education from Penn State. Currently Pat serves as the Director of Children’s Ministries at a large non-denominational church in Southern California, where she combines her love for the Lord and His word with her passion for teaching kids.

http://seethelightshine.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SeeTheLightShineArt



MY REVIEW
This is a really neat DVD for home schoolers or any family who wants to teach children about Art. It was made for elementary-aged children/classrooms. I received the first Volume-Art Lessons 1-4. The titles of the lessons are: Lesson 1-Tools of the Trade, Lesson 2-It all starts with a line, Lesson 3-Contours & Composition. The lessons are about 10 minutes each with a very nice part where a Bible passage is read and a little explaination. These are short enough to keep the attention of any child. The instructor Pat Knepley is very clear in her teaching and has a very sweet disposition. When my children first started school we home schooled them and we never had anything this wonderful. I believe your home school would really benefit from such wonderful, clear teaching. Also as a bonus on this DVD shows a Chalk Artist and she instructs children on how to do a chalk drawing. That was really amazing to me, because I love Chalk Artist. Also her instructions were very clear and easy to follow.
I highly recommend this set of Art Lessons. It would be a great gift for yourself, your children or grandchildren.
I will tell you what each lesson is called. In volume 2 they are:
Shape up (part 1)
Shape up (part 2)
All about space
Putting it all together-Line, Shape & Space
Volume 3
It’s not just black and white
Tone, Shade & Shadow
Color, Color, Color
Complements & Intermediates
Volume 4
Blending with colored pencils
Practice Makes Perfect
Blending with chalk pastels
Putting it all together
Volume 5
Stand your Ground
Keep things in proportion
Scale
Point of View
Volume 6
The element of Texture
Choosing the right tool
Make it 3D
One shape, three results
Volume 7
Put it in perspective (one-point perspective)
Put it in perspective (two-point perspective)
The landscape (part 1)
The landscape (part 2)
Volume 8
Balance & Symmetry
Circles & Ellipses
Whoa! That was close
The bug jar
Volume 9
Drawing People
A Different View
It starts with a stick figure
The human figure

Giveaway: one official copy of the Art Class DVD (Volume 1 : Art Lessons 1-4)
Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

Here are the ways to get extra entries:
~Be or become a follower +1
~Be or become an email subscriber +1
~Be or become a networked blog follower +1

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org.

ENTRY DEADLINE March 23, 2011



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“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Laura V. Hilton-author interview and book giveaway

Laura thanks for taking the time to visit us today! I appreciate you answering these few questions. It will be fun to get to know you better. Tell us a little about yourself.

Thank you, it’s nice to be here. I am a wife of almost 25 years to Steve, a homeschool Mom to five blessings, a book reviewer, a pastor’s wife, a breast cancer survivor, and an author.

How long did you write before you were published?

I was born writing, I think. I remember stories in kindergarten, and writing and writing and writing a long misplaced story when I was in elementary school. I had two books published about six years ago with a small press, but then I landed an agent and she felt I should focus on the bigger houses, rather than small press, and I wrote another 4 years before they started taking notice.

Tell us about “Patchwork Dreams,” the featured book.

- Becky Troyer has committed the ultimate sin, and finds herself on the edge of her Amish community. Jacob Miller believes he was sent to the Old Order Community in Missouri to help out a distant cousin. Instead, he discovers he was part of an arranged swap--sending men from his Pennsylvania district to the Missouri district to bring new blood into the Amish community. Becky dreams of marriage, but doesn't dare hope that anyone would choose her--not with her history. Can God use the lies that have affected Becky and Jacob to bring them together? Or will Jacob rebel and head home to his first love?

Is there any person who has been a strong influence in your writing journey?

Well, my agent has been very encouraging to me. She has talked me out of giving up I don’t know how many times. I really don’t have a mentor, I’ve wanted one, but didn’t know how to get one, but I do have my critique groups with helped me greatly, especially with expanding the story (where we need more information) and with verb/tense agreement issues—my weakness. My husband is probably my biggest cheerleader, he reads my books as I write it—chapter by chapter. And ACFW has really taught me a lot about the craft of writing. It’s really not as simple as just writing something. You have to know something about story, where it begins, point of view, motives, and other stuff.

What message do you want to be clear to your readers?

That God loves you where you are at, that He is the God of second chances.

What are some of your likes and dislikes? Your hobbies, interests? Where do you like to vacation?

I enjoy minivacations in the area in which I live. Right now I’m near an Amish community, I’m near caves, springs, state parks, and civil war monuments. If I have an opportunity for a longer vacation, I like to go to Michigan. It is my “home” and I love the beach on Lake Michigan, all the water falls, the lighthouses, etc. My hobbies are at this point mostly reading. As a book reviewer I have little time for handcrafts, if I have a spare moment I have to read something. If I have time away from reading, then I enjoy researching, learning something new. I also love to bake, and spend time with my family. I dislike spiders … LOL, my son wrote a poem (and it was published on-line) about my fear of spiders.

Tell us a little-known fact about yourself that readers may not know.

Well, they might now know I’m afraid of spiders! Seriously, I love winter squash, my favorite fruit would be blueberries or raspberries, fresh, of course, and I drink a lot of unsweetened tea, all kinds, white, black, red, or green.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

I set a goal for a month. Like this month I am starting the third book in my Amish series, so I wrote in my journal start – 0, goal 15,000. I don’t have an office, so I have to write with the family, and it is interrupted a lot with homeschooling, phone calls, errands, family stuff. I like to write at least a 1,000 words a day, but that isn’t always possible, life does happen, so I try to set a reasonable monthly goal for me, so I don’t feel so bad if I only get 500 words, or if I can’t write at all. I wrote Patchwork Dreams from start 0 words – to the final edited version that I submitted in four months. And that includes the rough draft and the final copy. The second book – A Harvest of Hearts, coming in September, I wrote in four and a half months.

What are you currently reading?

I just finished reading An Amish Midwife by Mindy Starns Clark, and I’ll be starting Bake Until Golden by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson tonight.

Do you grow flowers or vegetables?

Yes, both. The price of fresh produce is horrific, so I try to grow our own vegetables. I had tulips in my garden that I transplanted from Michigan but the deer eat them, so right now I have irises, wild violets, and jonquils in the garden.

What are your favorite flowers?

I love tulips, roses, jonquils, and violets. Well, any flower really. I enjoy a fresh bouquet in the middle of the dining room table.

What are you writing now?

I’m starting the third book in the Amish of Seymour series. It’s the story of Annie, an Amish school teacher, and Joshua, an Amish man transferred in a man swap from Pennsylvania to Missouri.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m on facebook – Laura Vernet Price Hilton (I need to start a fan page, I’m almost at my limit for friends) and my blogs, http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com or my book review blog – http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com. I’m also on shoutlife.

And thanks for spending this time with us, Laura.

Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure to be here.
We wish you much success.

Book Giveaway-Patchwork Dreams

Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

Here are the ways to get extra entries:

For extra entries:
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Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org.
ENTRY DEADLINE March 19, 2011

Evidence of Grace by Teresa Slack* A Review

ABOUT EVIDENCE OF GRACE

A murder conviction sent Sally Blake’s killer to prison. Nearly thirty years after that fateful night, a phone call from a potential eyewitness may prove the wrong person is serving time for the crime. But what would drive someone to plead guilty to another man’s crime? Noel Wyatt enlists the help of a young attorney, and David Davis, the retired judge who once prosecuted the case, to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. If an eyewitness exists, where has he been for the last thirty years? Is it possible the killer did not act alone? Is that person covering up for the real killer? What evidence does the eyewitness have that might overthrow a murder conviction? Will justice come too late for the person convicted of Sally’s murder?

Paperback: 340 pages
Publisher: Tsaba House (May 9, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1933853484
ISBN-13: 978-1933853482
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Teresa D. Slack is a member of Christian Writers Fellowship Intl., Faith Christian Writers, and American Fiction Christian Writers, and is a highly sought after guest speaker at writers conferences. Evidence of Grace is her fifth novel. She lives in Southern Ohio with her husband.
http://www.teresaslack.com/index.html

MY REVIEW
Evidence of Grace is book 3 in the Jenna’s Creek series. I didn’t read the first two but it didn’t hinder me in reading this one. Evidence of Grace is a good stand alone book. This book has a lot of characters but it was easy to follow along with each one.
I really love murder mysteries and this one was a winner for me. It meant even more to me because it is set in Ohio, my home. I knew all of the towns and cities mentioned.
Evidence of Grace is many stories that wound themselves together in some way. It was neat these stories were completely stories by themselves but all came together in the end.
Evidence of Grace is a riveting story with many twists and turns and an unbelievable ending.
I recommend this as a very good mystery that is fast and easy to read. Very enjoyable.


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Patchwork Dreams by Laura V. Hilton*A Review

ABOUT PATCHWORK DREAMS

Ever since returning from her rumspringa pregnant and unwed, Becky Troyer has been a pariah in her Amish community in Missouri. Even after the young mother confesses her sin and rejoins the church, her peers continue to shun her, and she despairs the unlikelihood of marrying for love. It seems that her only hope is to eventually marry a widower with a family of his own.

Becky’s world changes when Jacob Miller arrives at her family’s farm with the understanding that he will help with chores during the summer and then return to Pennsylvania. What Jacob does not know is that his father, who disapproves of Jacob’s sweetheart, Susie, sent him away as part of a plan to introduce new blood into the Amish community of Seymour. In addition to his work around the farm, Jacob undertakes the task of cheering up the lovely yet listless Becky, inviting her to various youth gatherings and offering her the only unconditional friendship she’s known.

As their friendship grows, the two find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. Will Becky and Jacob overcome their insecurities and self-doubts so that their love can grow, or will Jacob keep his pledge to Susie and turn his back on Becky, as so many others have done?


Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (April 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603742557
ISBN-13: 978-1603742559


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Hilton graduated with a business degree from Ozarka Technical College in Melbourne, Arkansas. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, she is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the Web. Prior to Patchwork Dreams, she published two novels with Treble Heart Books: Hot Chocolate and Shadows of the Past, as well as several devotionals. Laura and her husband, Steve, have five children, whom Laura homeschools. The family makes their home in Arkansas. To learn more about Laura, read her reviews, and find out about her upcoming releases, readers may visit her blog at
http://lighthouse–academy.blogspot.com/
http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/

Coming soon, Patchwork Dreams ~ April 2011
A Harvest of Hearts ~September 2011



MY REVIEW
Patchwork Dreams is such an excellent book. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last.
Becky is paying for her past mistakes in a big way. During her running around time (rumspringa) in the Amish culture Becky has a baby and her peers keep shunning her, even after she has asked for forgiveness.
Then Jacob comes along. Jacob is sent to their farm(he thinks to only help out for the summer) but the others think he is sent here to bring new blood into the community. Only problem Jacob is already going to get married to a girl from his home.
So we follow these two. Jacob wants to get Becky to smile and that is the mission he sets out on. In Patchwork Dreams you will see many changes in both people and see how they grow up in different situations.
I don’t care for a lot of Amish stories, because the authors are usually judgmental of the English world and always put the Amish above them, but with Patchwork Dreams it isn’t like that at all. We see a story about everyone making mistakes, wrong choices and peace finally if we go in the right way.
The characters have a lot of love and commitment to the Lord, with a lot of touching scenes. This is the first of a new series about The Amish of Seymour by Laura Hilton
This is a book that I can feel good about recommending for all to read. It has everything a good novel should have from tenderness, sadness, forgiveness, peace and joy. So you need to buy this book if you love to read and Amish stories are some of your favorites. Even if you don’t like Amish stories this one is different and full of exciting happenings.

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Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Heart of the Highriders

ABOUT HEART OF THE HIGHRIDERS
Imagine living in a fantasy world without magic, a world that knows nothing of sorcery nor of a wizard's quick solutions -- a world where one never encounters talking beasts, invincible swords, glowing rings or all-seeing eyes. What would it be like to behold such a world through the mind of those for whom the realm of the spirit is a closed book, and only that which meets the eye can be taken into account? In such a world powers of evil go unrecognized, and thus work their harm, until the spiritual Source of righteousness is revealed. Such is the world of Heart of the Highriders. Co-written by Richard C. Leonard and Charity R. Silkebakken, this Medieval-flavored 412-page epic adventure includes an Afterword, Glossary and Map.



Paperback: 412 pages
Publisher: Word Association (October 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595711449
ISBN-13: 978-1595711441
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds


ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Richard C. Leonard is a Congregational minister living in western Illinois. He holds the Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University and has taught at the college and graduate level. Dr. Leonard’s first novel, Silence of the Drums, was published by Xulon Press in 2005, and his third novel, New America, by Lampstand Books in 2009. Among other publishing credits he was the “ghost writer” of A Theological Miscellany (Thomas Nelson, 2005) under the pseudonym T. J. McTavish. Laudemont Ministries is Dr. Leonard’s teaching ministry. He is the publisher of WestWard Quarterly, a poetry magazine edited by his wife Shirley Anne Leonard.



Charity R. Silkebakken, Dr. Leonard’s daughter, and her husband Richard live in Santa Clara, California, where she runs Mission City Cakes. A graduate of Rice University, Mrs. Silkebakken suspended her career in computer technology to concentrate on being full-time mother of Miriam and Mark. This is the first joint novel by this father-daughter team.


http://www.haxbooks.com/




MY REVIEW
This book is really different than most I read, but it was a good book. It’s about a fantasy world, but you won’t find any magic or sorcery in it, which is a relief to me. The use of different words for common things and the names of the people will convince you that you are in another world. The main character Bilgash is a true gentleman who looks out for the good of others. He doesn’t hesitate to help someone who is struggling or someone that is a slave. He is always there for people.
Go along with Bilgash as he finds the riddle of the stones.
In the back of the book you will find two maps of this fantasy world also many words that are used differently. A few I found interesting are flummox for surprise or shock, rowp for sell or auction and threap for suppose or think. Also are several pages about the people of this world, like Highriders and High Ladies, the Thworb, Merdels and other folk of Hax and Kaldunt.
So if you know anyone who loves books about fantasy lands or adventures full of turns and twists, this is the book for you. It's like going on a vacation to a new world full of strange and wonderful people and places.


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This book was given to me by the author for review purposes only.

Blogoversary winner

to the winner Debbie Jackson at
djackson1958
She wanted the books
Close to Home and Don't Look Back by Lynette Eason
Thanks to everyone for commenting the the giveaways.
More coming this month.