SueHarrison.com

My husband and I just returned from a 10-day vacation.  We had a glorious time visiting my brother and his wife and children in Kansas.  While there, we celebrated the marriage of his oldest son.  Then we went on to Colorado to enjoy the  wonderful hospitality of my husband’s oldest brother and his wife.  

Now we are home again and having a very different kind of family gathering.  One of my Harrison sisters-in-law just lost her sister, and we are celebrating Linda’s life, loving her husband, children and grandchildren as best we know how, with faith and flowers, words and ceremonies.  

As I write this, I am watching three families of geese on our beach with their goslings.  Moms and dads are teaching babies how to live and swim and someday fly away.  My house is full of teenagers – nieces and nephews here with moms and dads who are teaching them how to live and swim and someday fly away.  And together we will celebrate Linda, who has flown away to the best home of all. 

Blessings, Sue

Congratulations to Anna and Dobie! You are our free book winners for the month of June 2010. Anna’s name was drawn first, so she has the choice of either CRUEL AS THE GRAVE, a mystery set in England in 1193, written by Sharon Kay Penman, or NEW YORK, an historical saga written by Edward Rutherfurd. Dobie will receive the other book. Anna, please email me with your choice and your preferred shipping address. Dobie, I’ll let you know which book you will receive.

Blessings to you both! Sue

I’m sorry that my Free Book Post is so late this month.  It’s been a busy time, with something almost every night at the school where my husband is principal.  This time of year is always hectic, but also lots of fun. 

Okay, free books!  This month I thought it might be appropriate to tie our drawing into vacation dreams.  Please note, these are ONLY dreams.  I’m NOT giving away a free vacation.  (I wish I could!)

If you had the choice among these three vacations (All expenses paid), which would you choose?

1) A 7-day cruise to Alaska: glaciers, whale watching, spa package, stops to shop at wonderful little seaside villages with stores full of Native crafts -  AND a large veranda suite.

2) A week in the Big Apple: a deluxe hotel suite, three Broadway musicals, a carriage ride around Central Park, shopping, museums, sightseeing tours, lunch at Bubba Gumps on Broadway…

3) Six nights, seven days in England: a 5-star Hotel Suite in London, sightseeing, shopping, changing of the guard, quaint little pubs, bookstores, antique stores (sigh!).   

Our pretend vacations include all meals, First Class Air and $1000 spending money.  (We’re dreaming, right?  Dream big!)

Now, in the spirit of Emily Dickinson’s famous quote, “There is no frigate like a book,”  here’s a little bit about the journeys you MAY make – all expenses paid – via the words of two great books. 

CRUEL AS THE GRAVE is a Sharon Kay Penman mystery set in 12th-century London.  Solve a murder with Sharon’s super-sleuth Justin de Quincy.  NEW YORK is a novel by Edward Rutherfurd.  You will visit the changing vistas of New York City as Rutherfurd skillfully guides your journey from 1664 through 2009.  Both books are brand new.  NEW YORK is a hardcover book club edition.  CRUEL AS THE GRAVE is a hardcover publisher’s edition.

Post your choice of vacation and maybe you’ll win a journey via the magic of words to New York or London!  The drawing will be held on Monday, June 28.  I will notify the winners with a Post on this Blog and also by email.  I will send the books to the winners via USPS Book Rate.

Blessings! Sue