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Giveaway Thursday: A Great Fiction Book


I love to read. Since becoming a mom, I don’t get to read as much as I used to, which makes the time that I do read even more enjoyable. I generally do NOT read Christian fiction. No offense to those of you that do read it and like it. I just usually find that the writing is not as good as the mainstream writers that I like. So when Matthew asked if I would be interested in giving away the book The Passion of Mary-Margaret by his friend Lisa Samson, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to. However, she has written more than 20 books and received much critical acclaim, so I thought I should give her a chance. (And Matthew has nothing but wonderful things to say about her as a person).
I am so glad I did.
Though I am not finished with the book, I can say that Lisa’s writing of the story of Mary- Margaret sucked me in from the first page. Her style is engaging and easy to read. Here’s what Publisher’s Weekly, which gave it a starred review (its highest honor) said:

Samson (Quaker Summer) mixes quirky with mysticism, seasons it with social justice, and the result is a page-turner with characters so fresh, funny and indelible the reader wants another 50 pages or so, please. Samson envisions a Jesus even an atheist would enjoy talking to, a Jesus whom the titular Mary-Margaret Fischer, a religious sister, talks to and gets direction from, as mystics quite naturally do. An even more compelling figure than Jesus, or at least someone with more lines and hence more characterization, is Mary-Margaret’s childhood friend, Jude Keller, a ne’er-do-well with a soul needing saving encased in a body so good-looking it’s hard for a body to resist. The required Christian progression to redemption is a natural in this story that slips between past and present—somewhat confusingly at first—and ranges from Maryland to Africa. The plot holds a few surprises that make some of the final, far-flung episodes more narratively and theologically satisfying. Quirk works; this is a deeply engaging book deserving of a broad audience. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

I have TEN copies to give away, so leave a comment if you would like a chance to win this book.

For additional chances to win:

  • Tweet the giveaway using my tweet: @JessicaNTurner is giving away 10 copies of @lisasamson’s Mary-Margaret book here: http://tinyurl.com/lb7jgn (please RT)
  • Become a public follower of this blog
  • Subscribe to this blog

Be sure to leave an additional comment if you do one of these extras! (and include your email in your comment if it isn’t in your profile so I can contact you if you win.)

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151 Comments

  1. Yay for a giveaway. I would love to win a copy. Although Karen Kingsbury is by far my favorite writer I would love to give this book a try.

    Reply

  4. I love to read and will read just about anything I can get my hands on! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  6. Glad you like the writing, that's always a good start! I'd love to win it.

    WordLily AT gmail DOT com

    Reply

  9. Hey there!

    I actually got this book from the library, didn't have time to read it, and had to give it back! Boo! I would love a copy– I am a book hoarder. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachel

    Reply

  12. This books sounds GREAT! I am in need of a book that will really capture my attention when I have time to do some reading.

    Reply

  15. Twitted @swampmomster, subscribed 🙂

    I was trying to find this book in both our book store and our library and was unable to. I just discovered Ms Samson recently and LOVE her.

    Reply

  18. I love to read too and have very little time to do it! I find I am often drawn to all the pretty new books on the shelves at target, walmart, sam's club, amazon.com…its endless and I'm always fighting the urge to buy more books!

    Reply

  21. I would love a copy! My grandmother loves Christian fiction and I would love to give her a new book!

    Reply

  22. Sounds great….and I'm like you: don't usually read the Christian fiction books for the same reasons. I'd love to see what is different about this one 🙂

    I follow you, too! Love the new design. Did Danielle do your blinkie button? Very cute! I want one!

    Reply

  23. I'm with you on the Christian fiction. Typically I don't find the writing very engaging though I would really love to read books that center around God. So I'm intrigued by this book and your thoughts on it. Count me in on the drawing!

    Reply

  29. I would love to win a copy of this book! I agree with you, I am not a big fan of Christian fiction compared to mainstream, but I am in need of a new book and would love to give this one a try!

    Reply

  31. I've enjoyed the books of Lisa's that I have read in the past, so I'm guessing I'd like this one, too! 🙂

    Reply

  38. I'm already a follower, so does that give me an additional chance? 🙂

    I'm with you… skeptical of Christian fiction, but willing to give it a try if you say so. 🙂

    Reply

  39. I feel the same way about most Christian fiction.. but I shall trust you on this one… sign me up!

    Reply

  40. I love to read- and pass them along to my friends to read after I'm done.
    thank you for the opportunity!

    Reply

  44. I'd love a chance!
    Also, have you heard of scrapbooksteals.com? They do a deal a day…yesterday was a Crop-a-Dile for 80% off…they just launched yesterday, but I think they'll have some GREAT deals:)

    Reply

  46. yay for books! i love to read! and being a mom now makes the time I read so much more precious for sure! would love to win!

    also wondered what you thought about the new scrapbooksteals.com

    Reply

  50. Following, subscribed, and tweeted! (@heididh33). I could use some new summer reading material! 🙂

    Reply

  56. woman, you were such a natural on that podcast… and don't say i'm easily impressed… you are just.that.talented. i'm so proud of you 🙂

    Reply

  58. I'd love to win the book. I just finished up my last book and was wondering what I would read next, and checking out a Christian fiction book sounds interesting.

    ~Amy

    Reply

  59. Ok – I'll leave a comment here too (never hurts to enter a contest!) I do appreciate your note though – I always like to get recommendations from those whose opinions I trust! 🙂

    Thanks Jess!

    Reply

  63. What a wonderful giveaway… I love Christian fiction and would love to read this one!! Thanks for sharing… That little Elias just gets cuter and cuter every day! What a blessing he is 🙂

    Reply

  64. I too love to read, and with three kids I still read as much as ever, I just have to tuck it in to my day more creatively. Heh.

    I'm always looking for a new great book, please count me in and thank you for the chance!

    Reply

  70. I would love to read a new book – and I JUST realized who you are – lol the new blog look threw me off too! I've visted a few times and I was like huh I don't remember following this blog (I open them up out of the reader 5 at a time… so your title of Life with Jessica…. doesn't show up out of the title of the blog)

    hehe I'm in a rambling mood

    Reply

  76. I would love to read this book! I don't read fiction as much as I used to but enjoy a good one when I can.

    Reply

  84. That looks great! I would love to win. I , too, love reading, probably waaay too much! I need something new to read, too…=)

    Haven't been around much lately, but I usually catch up in my reader! It's great to read about your life, Jessica!

    Reply

  86. I adore reading, and also, since becoming a mom rarely have time to do it! When I start a book everything else gets neglected (well, I still feed the kiddos! 🙂 ) until it's finished! I'd love to read this book!

    Ruthie 🙂

    Reply

  91. Lisa is one of my favorite people and writers. The first book of hers that I read was TIGER LILLIE, and it forever changed the way I viewed Christian fiction. I've been reading her ever since.

    I've read Mary-Margaret and will probably do so again. I'm so glad you trust Matthew enough to read the book!

    Reply

  94. Sounds like a great book and I would love a chance to win. I'm also a fan of following new blogs, so count me in as a new follower!

    Reply

  95. I feel the same way about Christian fiction for the most part… but this sounds good! (and if you and Matthew like it, that's a good sign! :))

    Also: Following your blog now! Thanks!

    jenwritesstuff (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  105. I would love to win this book. I am always looking out for new authors to read 🙂 So even if I don't win I will find her book. I like Karen Kingsbury also.

    Reply

  106. What a fun giveaway. I signed up to subscribe to your blog so it's now on my google homepage. Thanks for thinking of us with the cool book. 🙂

    Reply

  109. Love love love to read anything I can get my hands on. Would love this one. 🙂 I already follow your blog. 🙂 Sorry I don't Tweet…..

    Reply

  110. Hi Jessica, I love reading, and would love another summer book!
    Hope you are having a great week.

    Reply

  114. Would love to win this book… Fixing to finish a good book now I need another one.

    Reply

  120. my mom just started reading books for fun and LOVES it. she is into karen kingsbury right now and can't get her hands on new books fast enough! she would love it if I won and shared with her!!!!

    Reply

  121. Yeah – I LOVE Christian fiction. Whenever I pick up something different I hate when the writer feels the need to swear to get a point across. Not That all other fiction is bad. I still like to read certain authors. Just not a bunch of smut of sex or swearing. Anyhoo – thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  123. My small group of gals love to read a good christian themed book every summer and we haven't picked one yet. I would like to read her book.

    Reply

  126. As a mommy of 2 little girls I don't get as much time to read as I used to either but I still love to read and keep a reading list going so I have some goals. I would love to get a copy of this book. I haven't heard of the author but sounds like it is a good book!
    rlcohee@hotmail.com

    Reply

  127. Reading is absolutely my FAVORITE pastime next to spending time with my family! Would love another book.

    Thanks for your blog!!

    Laura W. (N. Ga.)

    Reply

  132. I love to read and you are right after having 5 children, reading has become a real treat!!!

    DeAnne

    Reply

  133. Would love to! Trying to get back into reading, writing college papers will make one go crazy to avoid it. 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply

  134. I would love to win a copy.

    I follow you on twitter and RT.

    I signed up to follow your blog and I subscribe to posts.

    thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  136. That looks and sounds like a great book to read at the beach with my feet in the sand, husband fishing, and children building sandcastles! Gini from NC

    Reply

  137. Hey Jessica! Love your blog. I've been checking it out regularly, but just today become a "follower". I would love to win a copy of the book. I actively read daily, so a new book and new author is always welcome. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Kelly – a fellow Wisconsinite!
    kagmarketing@hotmail.com

    Reply

  140. I am not much of a Christian fiction fan, either, but if you like it, it must be worth reading!

    I would love an opportunity to win! Thank you 🙂

    Reply

  142. I'd love to win a copy of this book. I'm not a big fan of most Christian fiction, either, but I've read a couple of this author's books and emjoyed them.

    Reply

  146. I love the new blog look!

    Thank your for the chance to win a copy of the book! It sounds interesting.

    Reply

  148. Love your blog…Elias looked ADORABLE in those star sunglasses from your prior post!!!

    This book looks great…thanks for the chance to win!
    meeshella2 at aol dot com

    Reply

  149. Wow! I just saw your giveaway and I hope I'm not too late to enter. I LOVE books; fiction, nonfiction, Christian, secular–reading is a passion of mine. And this book looks like it's a winner!

    stollie@netsync.net

    Reply

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