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Wednesday, November 14, 2018

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME ~ Win a free copy of The Amish Sweet Sweet Shop by Mary Ellis, Emma Miller, Laura Bradford


Hello, Suspense Sisters, Mary Ellis here! Although usually I write mysteries and romantic suspense set in the South, recently I wrote a story set in an Amish community. My characters use their faith and trust in God to solve their problems. My hope as an author is that my fictional stories will encourage readers during their own times of tribulation. Shortly after I began my writing career, and experienced a modicum of success, I made a sign to hang over my desk of a favorite Scripture:  “But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  Matthew 23:12 NLT

My mother had her own version of that particular passage: Stop tooting your own horn. And her favorite: The less said about one’s self the better. The immortal maxims of my late mother still ring in my ears today, making me smile. The problem is Mom was a stay-at-home housewife, not a published author. How does a Christian balance being humble with the necessity of self-promotion, essential in the world of publishing? Not only writers, but musicians, dancers, actors, salespeople, public speakers, sports figures and of course, politicians must do quite a bit of horn-tooting to stay in the game. Even doctors and lawyers appear on TV enticing us to file that lawsuit or get that tummy-tuck expressly from them. Often this type of marketing isn’t just expected but required in the fine print of contracts.

I have struggled with the dilemma of promotion vs. setting oneself above others. I don’t like having to say: “look at me and what I’ve accomplished” even though I’m expected to blog, Facebook and participate in author interviews. So I must walk a narrow path between not puffing myself up, and spreading the word that a book about God’s infinite grace, mercy and love has just been released.  I focus on one undeniable truth: God gave me whatever humble abilities I possess. As long as He continues to put words into my head, I will continue to turn them into gentle stories meant to inspire. I hope I never forget: It’s not about me. It’s all by His hand and for His glory.

Please leave me a comment for a chance to win a copy of my novella, Nothing Tastes so Sweet, from the anthology collection, The Amish Sweet Shop, from Kensington Publishing. US and Canada only. Please leave your email address in order to win.


Suspense Sister, Mary Ellis

36 comments:

  1. The Amish Sweet Sweet Shop by Mary Ellis, Emma Miller, Laura Bradford sounds wonderful.

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  2. Would love to win love to read Amish books .Blessings DanaGirl danagirlspille@gmail.com

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  3. Donna H dmh5858@msn.comNovember 14, 2018 at 12:55 PM

    I have never thought of you as a boastful person Mary. You are just an extremely talented author. Thank you for writing!!

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  4. sounds like a great book! you are not a boastful person,Mary!

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  5. It sounds really good --I'd love to read it. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  6. I would love to win a copy of this sweet book, thank you for the chance.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  7. I would love to get a copy of this book. You are such a wonderful giving person to offer this opportunity to win a copy of the book. Pretty please, pick me, pick me.

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  8. Mary, you are a very humble author! Thanks for the chance to win this book! It looks great and I'm sure it is!

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  9. Authors do walk a fine line between book promotion and self promotion. And you do a great job walking that high wire! The Amish Sweet Shop sounds great!

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  10. Sometimes we fall off that particular tightrope, don't we? The book sounds wonderful!

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  11. Love all these authors. Thanks for the chance to win. Thereadmaster@me.com

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  12. Wow! Three great stories in one book.
    cluedn@embarqmail.com

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  13. Would love to win. Thanks for a chance
    jolen1021(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. I'm dreaming of some Amish sweets, some romance, & a fun read!
    cornpeassmile-4(at)outlook(dot)com

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  15. Would love to win. All three of you a great suspense writers.

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  16. I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  17. Oh, a RESOUNDING AMEN! Well said, sister. Well said. I pray GOD continues to bless you. I will look for your most recent book. I need some encouragement about now. Thank you. And GOD bless!

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  18. Appreciate this opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win a print copy of this book! Looks good! Lual Krautter krautter12ATbresnanDOTnet

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  19. Really looking forward to reading this book. Looks really good and sweet! Thank you for the chance.
    kmgervais54(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. Yours is a very good outlook in a society that encourages us all to "toot our own horn!" Would love to read this book.

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  21. I love Amish books! This sounds wonderful!

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  22. You are sharing your God gifted talent of writing! He trusts you to share this in a way that honors Him, that isn't being self promoting. rw620 AT aol DOT com

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  23. I certainly don't consider you to be boastful and I think that all of us have to sell ourselves sometime. Submitting a college application, filling out a resume, sitting in an interview all require us to point out our abilities and successes. I feel that it is when we continue to "toot our horn" that we are in danger if going against God's Word.
    Please continue to do what you are doing. You offer us good, wholesome reading entertainment and you do it humbly!
    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. I am trying to start a Stampin’ Up business and find it very hard to sell myself so I understand. Love your books.

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  25. I've heard lots of good things about this book. And Amish stories and sweets are two of my favorites.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. I don't think it's putting yourself above others when you are promoting your work. As a reader I like knowing about the authors I like reading. I'm looking forward to reading "The Amish Sweet Shop" it sounds like a great collection of Amish stories.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. I look forward to reading your book. I'm sure it is a fine line between promoting your books and promoting yourself. It sounds like you are doing fine. fishingjanATaolDOTcom

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  28. Hello Mary, Looking forward to reading your story. Thank you
    isisthe12th(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. I love this sweet cover. Thank you for sharing.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  30. Hello Mary. I think you do an excellent job being the writer God has given you the talent to be! Would love to read this book!
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  31. cute cover
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  32. love the cover
    nlb1050 at yahoo dot com

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  33. This is on my wishlist
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  34. Virginia Winfield, You're my lucky winner of The Amish Sweet Shop. I will contact you via email for your address. Thanks for your kind words.

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  35. Thanks to all of our lovely readers who took the time to leave me a comment. I'm especially grateful for your kind words about my post and my books. My winner this time is Virginia Winfield of The Amish Sweet Shop. But I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and a blessed Christmas season.

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