Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the 16th blog in this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway, which runs July 12-23, 2021. At the bottom of each author’s blog post, you will find the secret words. Write them all down and provide the provide the entire answer on this Google form.
Note: You must grab all the secret words from every author in the Christmas in July Reader Giveaway to be eligible to win a $400 Amazon gift card. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (20 in all). At each blog stop, the author will also give away copy or copies of their featured Christmas book.
There’s so much to love about Christmas, isn’t there? The family, the faith, the fun and frolic. This year, though, I feel like Christmas will be especially meaningful. Last year I was reminded by the virus-that-shall-not-be-named, how very precious time is. My parents live only five minutes away, my sisters no more than twenty, and we were separated by teeny virus thingys that landed us in isolation. Even my own children had to be “managed” since they were coming and going from work and apartments. I resented it, honestly, the not being able to hug. That was the thing I missed the most. Zoom was helpful and phonecalls were nice, but they just can’t come close to that physical presence of a loved one. Even though things are slowly transitioning back to “normal” here in Northern, CA, I find myself tearing up when I can administer a good, tight hug to those I haven’t seen for a while. Would I have appreciated it as much if we hadn’t had a “pause” year? Honestly, probably not. So this year I will hug those people, and eat those cookies, and laugh as long and as loud as I possibly can, relishing the life that God has restored. How about you? Will your Christmas feel different in this “post pandemic” season?
Now, it’s time to for the secret words: unto others
Save the secret words, and when you reach the final blog, enter all the secret words on this form for a chance to win a $400 Amazon gift card!
Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Hallee Bridgeman and her Christmas book Blizzard in the Bluegrass. You can find it at this link. Remember, this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway will end on July 23 at 8 PM EST!
https://www.halleebridgeman.com/christmas-in-july/
Fiction 4 Writers and Readers 
Posted by Tina Rucci on July 24, 2021 at 12:48 am
No. My children are at home and my sister is too far away to travel over Christmas, so it will be the same as it’s been.
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Posted by lindamoffitt02 on July 20, 2021 at 11:11 am
Staying close to home and visiting some local family
All of your books Sound like Great Reads 📚 Thank You for Being Part of this Fun Blog Hop
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Posted by Patricia B. on July 19, 2021 at 11:59 am
We will be traveling this year to spend it with our daughter and her family. We are going to a resort area that will be off season, so there should be few people there. The beach isn’t a place to go for cold weather. We like the lack of crowds, even before the pandemic, and will be doing things that do not require interacting with many others. It is a time to spend together and relax. We will celebrate with the rest of the family when we get back home since they all live nearby. It will still be low key, but those hugs will certainly feel good.
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Posted by Lelia “ Lucy” Reynolds on July 18, 2021 at 7:29 am
Yes as I won’t have my parents. They will celebrate in heaven.
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Posted by Cherie J. on July 17, 2021 at 1:09 pm
I think after how rough it was last year I will definitely be appreciating time with family members more this year.
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Posted by Donise Cinnamon on July 17, 2021 at 12:36 am
I definitely missed the hugs and being with my dad for Christmas.
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Posted by S on July 16, 2021 at 12:48 am
It surely was a year without hugs!
Thank you for the book giveaway!
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Posted by Karen M on July 16, 2021 at 12:23 am
We hope to visit family and friends this year.
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Posted by Stephanie H. on July 14, 2021 at 7:12 am
Christmas for us may be the same again this year as it was last year, staying home with our close knit family.
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Posted by debbiejpruss on July 13, 2021 at 9:45 am
Thank you so much. I am grateful for the Lord’s love, the love of my family and all the blessings the Lord bestows on me daily.
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Posted by Chris Henderson on July 13, 2021 at 8:12 am
Love living in Fl where we did celebrate Christmas with friends and sat at church and heard the message in person. Will do the same this year!
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Posted by Ann Mettert on July 13, 2021 at 6:43 am
I love the get together too. My daughter and her family were here from California for a few days last week. They drove their camper. It was great.
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Posted by shelia64 on July 13, 2021 at 4:59 am
Like you ,I missed the hugs and spending time with family and friends!
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Posted by Sarah Taylor on July 13, 2021 at 4:49 am
I will celebrate with my adult children and my grandchildren! Thank you for the amazing Christmas in July!
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Posted by Jcp on July 13, 2021 at 3:09 am
I appreciate the little things more
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Posted by Christmas in July Reader Giveaway: Dangerous Christmas Memories – Author Sarah Hamaker on July 13, 2021 at 12:14 am
[…] Dana Mentink https://dmentink.wordpress.com/2021/07/10/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/ […]
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Posted by Grace on July 12, 2021 at 11:17 pm
Nope. We all celebrated in person last year. And this year will be the same too 🙌🏽.
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Posted by Andrea on July 10, 2021 at 2:57 am
The form won’t work?
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Posted by dana mentink on July 12, 2021 at 10:18 pm
Hmm. Give it another try.
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