Dianne E. Butts's Blog: Dianne E. Butts' Blog, page 7

"A Ruby Christmas" - Chapter 7 by Marji Laine

Today's featured author is Marji Laine.
In Chapter 7, Marji takes Ruby and Yippee to the city of lights, Paris, France!

Marji is a homeschooling mom of 4. With decades of leading worship, directing and performing in theatre productions, and script-writing, Marji took the plunge to creating scintillating Christian romance and romantic suspense novels with a side of Texas sassy. She invites readers to unravel their inspiration, seeking a deeper knowledge of the Lord’s Great Mystery that invites us all.

Connect with Marji here: MarjiLaine.com
Facebook 
Pinterest
Twitter  
Goodreads
Read Marji's chapter of A Ruby Christmas here:

A Ruby Christmas: chapter 7


View the Altered Photo on Marji Laine's blog: Ruby's in Paris.

Compare to the photo her and write down the different: A Ruby Christmas Pinterest Photo Contest
More about A Ruby Christmas: Fay Lamb's Inner Source.Marji Laine's Chapter 7 Devotion on Faith-Driven Fiction (goes to same site as the Altered Photo above).Marji Laine's guest devotional on Phee Paradise's Delighted Meditations: Light Overcomes DarknessWe've Received A Note from Ruby!

Ruby's Dad, Jake Buckner, has received a letter from Ruby Joy that he wanted to share with us. Thanks Jake! Here's what Ruby had to say:

Dear Daddy,

Well, here I am in Paris, the City of Light. I’ve heard folks talk about this place lots, but I’m thinking it just takes experiencing it to actually wrap my brain around it. Wall to wall buildings, cars, people. The buildings and their architecture scream history at me. I could walk around this place for days and never get tired of it. The cars, I could do without. Noisy little things and thicker than ants on a Hershey bar.

A Ruby ChristmasThe people are okay. Funny how this is the city of light, but I don’t usually see much of a spark in the eyes of the people here. But they’ve been mostly looking at my clothes and not meeting me in the eye, anyway.

Momma’s college roommate has a really sweet daughter, but I don’t know if the Blue-Hair salon would go over in our town with the same popularity it has here. ‘Course it sounds much fancier in French. Coiffure de Bleu. The say it’s “tres chic.” That means very stylish, not three chicken’s! I know how you think, Daddy.

Anyway. I took a walk around the neighborhood a bit ago. You wouldn’t believe the number of folks out here. Bigger population on just the streets I walked than in our whole county back home. I even found a huge dog park. Yes, Yip made friends. He always makes friends. Me? Not so much.

I had to think about this hair-cutting business you sprung on me. What were you thinking? I can’t believe you just set it up without even speaking to me about it. Yippy’s gonna hate it if I go through with your idea. I guess I can see where you’re coming from. And Aimee had some good advice as well. I’m just not sure I’m on board, yet. Not sure I will be, but we’ll see tomorrow.

So give Dutch a hug for me. Oh okay. Just shake his hand. Is that manly enough for you both? Say “hi” to everyone and tell ‘em that I’m learning a lot, but looking forward to getting back home.

Love you, Daddy!
Ruby Joy

Wishing you A Ruby Christmas
Please stop back by here tomorrow to meet the next author and for a link to the next chapter.


Please share A Ruby Christmas with your friends and contacts. You can use the Tweetables and share buttons below.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Last year's collaborative novel:
Marji also took part in the collaborative novel from Christmas 2012 from Write Integrity Press, A Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt .

Tweetables:Wishing you A Ruby Christmas: Read Chapter 7 now! http://ow.ly/rb94z  @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP   Tweet this!

Released today! Chapter 7: A Ruby Christmas. Check it out now! http://ow.ly/rb94z  @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP    Tweet this!

Related article:Wishing You A Ruby Christmas on the Butts About Writing blog.

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"A Ruby Christmas" - Chapter 6 by Jennifer Fromke

The hunt sets off
Photo credit / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-NDToday's featured author is Jennifer Fromke.

Jennifer took Ruby and Yippee across the pond to London! 


Jennifer is the author of A Familiar Shore , which is receiving wonderful reviews.

Be sure to visit Jennifer's blog at http://www.jenniferfromke.com

 Read Jennifer's chapter of A Ruby Christmas
We're off to the hunt! But don't worry, all foxes, horses, people, and dogs (including Yippee Ti Yi Yo remain safe).

A Ruby Christmas: chapter 6

View the Altered Photo on Jennifer Fromke's site.

Compare to the photo her and write down the different: A Ruby Christmas Pinterest Photo Contest

More about A Ruby Christmas: Marji Laine's Chapter 6 Devotion on Faith-Driven Fiction: Ruby's in London.
Phee Paradise's Delighted Meditations: Stupid Sheep
J.A. Marx's Embattled Spirit.
Fay Lamb's Inner Source.

Last year's collaborative novel:
Jennifer also took part in the collaborative novel from Christmas 2012 from Write Integrity Press, A Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt .

A Ruby Christmas

Wishing you A Ruby Christmas
Please stop back by here tomorrow to meet the next author and for a link to the next chapter.

Please share A Ruby Christmas with your friends and contacts. You can use the Tweetables and share buttons below.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!




Tweetables:Wishing you A Ruby Christmas: Read Chapter 6 now! http://ow.ly/rb8Vn  @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP     Click to Tweet

Released today! Chapter 6: A Ruby Christmas. Check it out now! http://ow.ly/rb8Vn @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP  Click to Tweet

Related article:Wishing You A Ruby Christmas on the Butts About Writing blog.

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"A Ruby Christmas" - Weekend Guest Posts

A Ruby Christmas


Chapters 1 through 5 of A Ruby Christmas have posted to www.WriteIntegrity.blogspot.com. If you missed one or more chapters, hop on over there and enjoy getting caught up.

Chapter 6 will post on Monday.













Weekend Guest Posts:
This weekend, here are a few new posts going on with Ruby:

Contributing author Jennifer Fromke gives an Author Interview on Stitches through Time blog.
Marji Laine is interviewed today on Lena Nelson Dooley's A Christian Writer's World.

Next week you'll discover the rest of the chapters. See you on Monday for chapter 6!

"A Ruby Christmas" - Chapter 5 by Jerusha Agen


Rockefeller Center
New York CityToday's featured author is Jerusha Agen.
Jerusha nearly lost Ruby in New York City, but things turned out well.

Jerusha is the author of This Dance and the newly released This Shadow.


Find Jerusha online at:
SDG Words

and Redeemer Reviews






Read Jerusha's chapter of A Ruby Christmas here:
A Ruby Christmas: chapter 5



View the Altered Photo on Jerusha's site SDG Words.

Compare to the photo her and write down the different: A Ruby Christmas Pinterest Photo Contest

More about today's chapter here:Phee Paradise's Delighted Meditations: The Angels Didn't Sing.
Marji Laine's chapter 5 Devotion on Faith-Driven Fiction.
Marji Laine's devotional on A Woman Like Me blog: Light.
Fay Lamb's Inner Source.Wishing you A Ruby Christmas

A Ruby ChristmasWe hope you're enjoying Ruby's story. Please stop back by here tomorrow to meet the next author and for a link to the next chapter.

Please share A Ruby Christmas with your friends and contacts. You can use the Tweetables and share buttons below.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!


Tweetables:Wishing you A Ruby Christmas: Read Chapter 5 now! http://ow.ly/rb8LP @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP Click to Tweet

Just released! Chapter 5: A Ruby Christmas. Check it out now! http://ow.ly/rb8LP @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP  Click to Tweet

Related article:Wishing You A Ruby Christmas on the Butts About Writing blog.

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"A Ruby Christmas" - Chapter 4 by Ruth O'Neil

Photo courtesy of Ruth O'NeilToday's featured author is Ruth O'Neil

Today Ruth O'Neil takes Ruby and Yippee to the beautiful mountains of Virginia.


Ruth is the author of Come Eat at My Table.




You can learn more about Ruth and connect with here here:
Ruth O'Neil's web site
Ruth's blog, Real  Life is Better Than Fiction
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RuthONeilAuthor
Twitter: @writerrutho
Read Ruth's chapters of A Ruby Christmas here:
A Ruby Christmas: chapter 4


View the Altered Photo on Ruth O'Neil's Real Life blog.

Compare to the photo here and write down the difference: A Ruby Christmas Pinterest Photo Contest

More about today's chapter of A Ruby Christmas:
Fay Lamb's Inner Source blog.
Marji Laine's Chapter 4 Devotion of Faith-Driven Fiction
And see Phee Paradise's Delighted Meditations about Ruth's chapter. 
Ruby sent us a note today! 
Hey y'all,

Well, I didn’t think I could get any closer to God than I was when I was living in Texas, but I was wrong. These beautiful mountains of Virginia almost make me feel as if I can touch the heavens. I love the feeling of being able to look down from my vantage points and see what others below me are doing.

I wonder if this is how God feels when he looks at us. He definitely has a higher vantage point than any of us could ever attain. It is in these Blue Ridge Mountains that I have been able to really understand the verse in Isaiah 55:12 that says, “You will go out in joy and be led forth a peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
This is the time of year when the mountains really will rejoice because of the birth of the King, their Creator, Jesus Christ.

I can definitely learn some lessons from these mountains. It almost makes me want to come back year after year to see how the mountains change. Though our God never changes.

Love y'all,
Ruby


Wishing you A Ruby Christmas
Please stop back by here tomorrow to meet Jerusha Agen, the next author, and for a link to the next chapter.

Please share A Ruby Christmas with your friends and contacts. You can use the Tweetables and share buttons below.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Photo courtesy of Ruth O'Neil

Tweetables:Wishing you A #RubyChristmas: Read chapter 4 now! http://ow.ly/rsmGU  @DianneEButts #PNP Click to Tweet

Introducing the collaborative novel A #RubyChristmas. Check it out now! http://ow.ly/rsmGU  @DianneEButts #WIP Click to Tweet

Related article:Wishing You A Ruby Christmas on the Butts About Writing blog.

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"A Ruby Christmas" - Chapter 3 by Fay Lamb


Photo provided by Fay LambToday's featured author is Fay Lamb.
Fay Lamb takes our girl, Ruby, and her Jack Russell Terrier Yippee Ti Yi Yo, to the Florida sands, sun, and surf of Cocoa Beach!

Fay is the author of several novels and contributed to last year's collaborative novel,  A Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt .

Fay loves to meet up with new friends on social networks.

Find Fay Lamb here on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fay.lamb
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/FayLamb
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/faylamb/
Read Fay's chapter of A Ruby Christmas here:
A Ruby Christmas: chapter 3


View the Altered Photo on Fay Lam's Inner Source blog.

Compare to the photo her and write down the different: A Ruby Christmas Pinterest Photo Contest

More about today's chapter of A Ruby Christmas: At Jennifer Fromke's blog: Water Wednesday
Marji Laine's Chapter 3 Devotion on Faith-Driven Fiction.
And see Phee Paradise's Delighted Meditations about Fay's chapter.
Ruby sent us a note today!
Here's what Ruby had to say:

Well, I really am glad that Ms. Dianne has allowed me to write to y’all today. When she gave me the invite to share about my journeys, which you can read about in A Ruby Christmas, I was just bursting with stories to tell.

Like my trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida. Yeah, Florida in the winter. Lots of people do it. Not Texans, not really. Parts of Texas have the same climate as Florida: hot, horrible and humid. I reckoned I was about to spend some time with some retired couple my daddy knew. After all, Florida is the retirement capital of the world. That’s what they tell me. Boy was I pleasantly surprised when Ms. Gina Swain—I mean Alward, that’s her name now—picked me up at the airport with her new husband. Then my happiness turned to dread as I remembered that terrible Jonathan Swain—her only son. He used to pick on me something fierce when we were little, and I wasn’t too thrilled about seeing him.
 That is, until I saw him. Boy, howdy, the brat had grown up.
 In more ways than one.
 You see, Jonathan taught me something. I watched that cowboy surf on them waves in Cocoa Beach. I never knew two-feet and glassy could provide so many chances for flips and turns. I guess there’s a reason Kelly Slater is so good at what he does.
 But I’m on a rabbit trail. This isn’t about what Jonathan did while riding the waves, but about the time that he sat on his board out in the middle of the ocean. Sometimes he’d look to heaven. Other times, he kept his head bowed. When it was all said and done, Jonathan told me that the ocean is his thinkin’ and prayin’ place. He said he got in the habit of it while in Texas in the middle of the vast pasture. He never said, but I got to thinking about this myself. When you’re just a small speck in a large place, you realize that God doesn’t see you as a speck. No, sir. God is so close to you that He can count the number of hairs on your head. He can make sense of the feelings inside of you that even you don’t understand.
 Jonathan taught me that on my journey around this vast globe, no matter where I go, I’m never alone.
 God is with me.
 
A Ruby Christmas
Wishing you A Ruby Christmas
Please stop back by here tomorrow to meet the next author and for a link to the next chapter.

Please share A Ruby Christmas with your friends and contacts. You can use the Tweetables and share buttons below.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!


Tweetables:Wishing you A Ruby Christmas: Read Chapter 3 now! http://ow.ly/rb8d4  @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP    Tweet this

Just released! Chapter 3: A Ruby Christmas. Check it out now! http://ow.ly/rb8d4  @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP    Tweet this

Related article:Wishing You A Ruby Christmas on the Butts About Writing blog.

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"A Ruby Christmas" - Chapter 2 by Dianne E. Butts

 A Ruby ChristmasToday's featured author is Dianne E. Butts.
 Yep, that's me! My chapter in A Ruby Christmas is the featured chapter today. It's chapter 2, and it takes place in Colorado.

There's a LOT going on here today, so before you take off to read my chapter, let me tell you...

... Besides mine being the featured chapter, I'm also featured on some blogs today. So once you read my chapter, please come back and check out my guest posts for more about how writing A Ruby Christmas affected me. And some surprising ways my life paralleled the characters and the story I wrote, after I wrote it! (Cue the theme from The Twilight Zone.) Links below.

... Then also the publisher is having a contest based on A Ruby Christmas. Scroll down a bit and see that photo of a happy biker just under "What's wrong with this picture"? He's part of this contest. There's a lot of fun going on and some fantastic prizes, so don't miss out! Check into all the details and join the fun to be entered to win a prize basked worth over $400! Details below the happy biker's picture and on www.WriteIntegrity.com.

 ... Finally, there's also a note from Ruby below. She wrote in to let us know how she's doing on her trip, so don't miss what she has to say.

... So here we go. Enjoy!

Read Dianne's chapter of A Ruby Christmas here:
A Ruby Christmas: chapter 2


Today Dianne is a featured Guest on:Read my guest blog post on Fay Lamb's blog Inner Source. where I share how my life parallels Ruby's in the loss of a parent. When we started the Ruby project, I had no way of knowing someone else was going to write these parallels into the story!
Dianne's helmet - June 9, 2013I'm also the Guest blogger on J. A. Marx's Embattled Spirit. Here you'll read about two unexpected events that I wrote into my chapter more than a month before these events happened.
You'll see how I suddenly connected with a minor character I wrote into my chapter.


Smoke plume of the Waldo Canyon fire
just east of Pike's Peak
from Dianne's back deck June 2012

I also wrote in my Embattled Spirit post about the fires Coloradoans have experienced the recent years. In my chapter you'll meet Biker Bear, who has a hope-filled message for those who have been through the fire.










 Read more today about me and A Ruby Christmas here:
Phee Paradise's devotion on Delighted Meditations: The Other Side of Fire.
Marji Laine's Devotion for A Ruby Christmas Chapter 2 on Faith-Driven Fiction.
Contributing author Marji Laine's guest post about Christmas on Embattled Spirits.

A note from Ruby:
I heard from Ruby Jo, and she sent you all (or is that "y'all"?) a note. Here it is:


Hi y'all! Ruby here. Listen, I just wanted to say it was so great to visit the beautiful mountains of Colorado. I really had an adventure when I ran into those bikers. Not sure if I want to write that in a letter home to Daddy or if I should just keep that our little secret.

But anyways, I know y'all have had some big forest fires out there in Colorado, and I want you to know my heart goes out to you. The lesson I learned about forest fires I'm sure will stick with me forever. I pray God's best blessing for each of you.

I hope you enjoy my story.

Love you,
Ruby Joy



What's wrong with this picture?Write Integrity Press is having a contest! Each day on the featured author's web site, there's a picture. Today my chapter is featured on the Write Integrity Press blog, so it's my turn to host the photo of the day.

This photo is part of a contest where YOU can enter to win a prize!  (Details on www.WriteIntegrity.com.)

But here's the scoop: Check out this photo below. Then compare it to A Ruby Christmas Pinterest Photo Contest. Find the difference and write down your answer.




After the ninth chapter posts on December 12th, put all your answers in an e-mail and send them to Write Integrity Press (at MagnificentHope [at] yahoo [dot] com). Then you'll be entered to win a bundle of books worth around $400!

Dianne E. Butts also is the author of: Prophecies Fulfilled in the Birth of Jesus (PNP 2012)
Prophecies Fulfilled in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (PNP 2013)
Prophecies Fulfilled in the Life of Jesus (Releasing soon from PNP in 2013)

Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ (PNP 2012)

For more information on these books, use the tabs at the top.
Connect with Dianne here:
Like her Author Page on FacebookVisit her web sites at www.DianneEButts.com and www.DeliverMeBook.comVisit her blog for writers at www.ButtsAboutWriting.blogspot.comFollow her on Twitter @DianneEButts,@BAWriting, and @GPObstacle Find her also on LinkedIn
Wishing you A Ruby Christmas
Please stop back by here tomorrow to meet the next author and for a link to the next chapter.

Please share A Ruby Christmas with your friends and contacts. You can use the Tweetables and share buttons below.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!


Tweetables:Wishing you A Ruby Christmas: Read Chapter 2 now!http://ow.ly/rb7Wi
@DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP  Tweet this

Just released! Chapter 2: A Ruby Christmas. Check it out now! http://ow.ly/rb7Wi @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP  Tweet this

Related article:Wishing You A Ruby Christmas on the Butts About Writing blog.

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"A Ruby Christmas" - Chapter 1 by J. A. Marx



A Ruby Christmas Today's featured author is J.A. Marx.

J.A. introduces our story, A Ruby Christmas, in Chapter 1, which takes place in Texas. J.A. was the primary brainstorm-er of the story.

Want to know more about J.A.? Here you go:

J.A. is the author of Destiny Defied (WIP 2013).

You can find Destiny Defied  on Amazon.

And J.A. blogs at Embattled Spirit.


Please tune in tomorrow when I will be guest posting on J.A.'s Embattled Spirit blog.




Read J.A. Marx's chapter of A Ruby Christmas here:
A Ruby Christmas: chapter 1View the Altered Photo on J.A. Marx's blog.

Compare to the photo here and write down the difference: A Ruby Christmas Pinterest Photo Contest

More to read about A Ruby Christmas:Guest Post by J.A. Marx on Fay Lamb's Inner Source blog: Christmas Rebel
Chapter 1 Devotion on Marji Laine's Faith-Driven Fiction
Phee Paradise's blog: Delighted Meditations
Wishing you A Ruby Christmas

Please stop back by here tomorrow to meet when I will be the featured author. (I can't wait!)

You'll find a link to my chapter. Plus you'll also find links to blogs where I'll be the featured guest tomorrow. I'll be sharing some of my story behind the story A Ruby Christmas. I think you'll be interested in how this story project has affected me in ways I never saw coming, and the ways in which Ruby's story parallels my own life.
 Please share...
... A Ruby Christmas with your friends and contacts. You can use the Tweetables and share buttons below.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!


Last year's collaborative novel:
J.A. also took part in the collaborative novel from Christmas 2012 from Write Integrity Press, A Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt .
 Tweetables:Wishing you A Ruby Christmas: Read Chapter 1 now! http://ow.ly/rb84C @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP Click to Tweet

Just released! Chapter 1: A Ruby Christmas. Check it out now! http://ow.ly/rb84C  @DianneEButts #ARubyChristmas #PNP #WIP  Click to Tweet

Related article:Wishing You A Ruby Christmas on the Butts About Writing blog.

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Wishing You "A Ruby Christmas"

A Ruby Christmas
a collaborative novella by authors of
Write Integrity Press and Pix-N-Pens PublishingLast month I promised you we'd do something fun and different this month--put away the "all business" on this blog (although we'll do a little business below and talk about why do a collaborative novel?). But for the most part, we'll relax a little and enjoy a special treat for Christmas.

I promised you a free sample of my fiction and free chapters from other Write Integrity Press and Pix-N-Pens authors. Here are all the details.

A Ruby Christmas is......a collaborative novel featuring authors from Write Integrity Press and Pix-N-Pens Publishing. Earlier this year an idea for a character and a story line was batted around. The idea had to include a character who would travel the world in search of ... something.

Each author involved, then, would write one chapter.

This year, Ruby Joy Buckner travels the world in search of all the pieces needed to put together a Nativity scene for her widowed father.

The first and last chapters are written by the same author--J. A. Marx--because (I believe) the storyline was primarily her idea. Fay Lamb co-wrote the last two chapters with J.A.

Eight of the nine authors were already published by either Write Integrity Press or Pix-N-Pens Publishing. The publishers held a contest to include one addition author, and Phee Paradise won that contest and joined us with her chapter.

Participating authors received the storyline and character information last spring and wrote their chapters. Then this summer and fall the chapters were edited together to form a book published by our infamous (to us, anyway) publisher.

Read chapters free!Here's the fun part for you: the publisher is releasing almost all of the book - 9 of the 11 chapters - for free, one chapter at a time! Don't worry. You'll be able to get the rest of the book - the last two chapters - for free too, if you act quickly enough. I'll tell you how in a minute. Even if you miss the free days you'll be able to get the entire book for a low cost later on.

So here's how it will work:The first chapter of the book officially releases Monday, December 2, with the first chapter being posted on the Write Integrity Press blog.

Then a new chapter will release each week day on the same blog through chapter 9.

I wrote Chapter 2, so mine will be featured Tuesday, December 3.

Here's the whole world-tour schedule:Monday, December 2: Texas by J.A. MarxTuesday, December 3: Colorado by Dianne E. ButtsWednesday, December 4: Cocoa Beach, Florida, by Fay LambThursday, December 5: Virginia by Ruth O'NeilFriday, December 6: New York City by Jerusha AgenMonday, December 9: London by Jennifer FromkeTuesday, December 10: Paris by Marji LaineWednesday, December 11: South Africa by Debbie RoomeThursday, December 12: Guatemala by Phee ParadiseFriday, December 13: read Ruby's return home when the entire book releases on Kindle
Over on my other blog, www.DeliverMeBook.blogspot.com I'm going to post each day with a bit of information about the featured author, some links, and a direct link to her chapter. So please visit over there for more fun and information each day from December 1 through the 13th, and all the links.

Many of the authors are also guest posting on blogs on their featured days, so I'll include links to those articles as well, over on my Deliver Me Book blog.

Get the whole book for freeThe final chapters will release with the entire book exclusively on Amazon's Kindle and will be free on Kindle from December 13 through the 16th.

After that, the book will be just $ .99 for the rest of the month.

Don't have a Kindle? No problem. You can get the free program to make your computer a Kindle reader. Here are the links to do that. The program is direct from Amazon and therefore should be safe to download:
Free Kindle for PC download.Free Kindle for Mac download.
I hope you won't mind, but I just might send a mid-month post as a reminder to get the free book and to give you a link to the e-book when it's released.

Get the first collaborative novella from 2012...This isn't the first collaborative novella Write Integrity has done. The idea debuted last year with  A Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt .

I didn't take part in that project, but I enjoyed the story. It's still available and is climbing the Amazon charts again this year. So if you simply can't wait for the next chapter of A Ruby Christmas, grab that one and enjoy!

One more thing...

Get in on the Contest and Prizes!And oh yea...did I forget to mention there's a contest for prizes? Well of course there's a contest and prizes! Something about seeing a photo that has been altered on the daily featured author's blog... Then finding the same un-altered photo on the publisher's Pinterest page... Then sending the publisher an e-mail with the differences... And you're entered in a drawing for a prize?

Gosh, you'll just have to visit www.WriteIntegrity.com for those details.

Hmmm, I wonder what the prizes are going to be...

Why do a collaborative novel?Well of course I can't let my writing blog go without talking a bit about business. That is, after all, why this blog exists: to share what I've learned (or am learning) about publishing and to help you with your writing and publishing.

So I thought you might like to ask me, "Why do a collaborative novel?" Well I'm so glad you asked.

When I first thought about jumping on board with the project this year, I was quite intimidated by the whole thing. Build a story off of someone else's idea? Would I be able to come up with a story for my chapter?

Would my fiction-writing be up to snuff compared to the other authors who have published more fiction than I have?

You know, all the usual writer-ly insecurities.

But going on faith that I would be able to overcoming all those concerns, I started to think of the benefits to being involved.

First of all, I'd be able to offer all of you who have followed my monthly e-zine for so many years, and then this blog, something free for your enjoyment... Well that sounded like fun (and maybe a bit intimidating, too).

Then I thought about the exposure. Based on how much exposure  A Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt  got last year, there would be a lot of people reading my one chapter.

Add to that the fact that at the end of the book, each author gets a page for a bio, photo, and links to my other books and, well, that moved the opportunity into the "it's a no-brainer" category.

Plus, with nine authors involved, all of us working to let our readers know about the project, and it seemed like a great way to earn more readers for my other books. I will be exposed to those people the other authors get to read the book, just as I'm introducing you to the other eight authors, if you don't already know them.

The whole thing just seemed like a great opportunity. So I took the plunge.

Have you ever taken part in a collaborative novel or other project? How did it turn out for you?

Please leave a comment and let us know what you think of A Ruby Christmas. And if you feel inclined, it would be great if you'd write a short, honest review on Amazon.com also. Thank you!

Wishing you "A Ruby Christmas"
That's my way, this year, of saying Merry Christmas. I hope A Ruby Christmas helps you kick off the holiday season with many good things and mighty blessings.

Next month we'll get back to business. But until then, I pray God blesses your Christmas and New Year with reminders of Him and His love for you and yours.

Tweetables:

Discover "A Ruby Christmas." www.ButtsAboutWriting.blogspot.com @BAboutWriting @DianneEButts #WIP #PNP #ARubyChristmas  Tweet it

Read free chapters "A Ruby Christmas." www.ButtsAboutWriting.blogspot.com  @DianneEButts #WIP #PNP #ARubyChristmas  Tweet it

For more updates on A Ruby Christmas, please Like my Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/DianneButtsAuthor

Related Articles:At www.DeliverMeBook.blogspot.com December 1 - 13, 2013

A Special Note
As if all this with A Ruby Christmas isn't enough... I also have a new book of my own releasing soon! Watch for Prophecies Fulfilled in the Life of Jesus, the third in my nonfiction "Prophecies Fulfilled" series. This new book should be out in December from Pix-N-Pens Publishing. Watch for it on Amazon and other outlets. Thank you!

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Wishing you "A Ruby Christmas"!

A Ruby Christmas
a collaborative novelI'm very excited this month to present a series of special posts which will feature the brand new collaborative novella, A Ruby Christmas. Let me tell you about this special Christmas project
This short novel is a collaborative effort of nine authors, eight of which are authors with one of the sister companies Write Integrity Press or Pix-N-Pens Publishing. The ninth author was added as the result of a contest to find fine new writers. Welcome Phee Paradise!

Each author wrote one chapter of the story, with additional chapters opening and closing the story.

I'm pleased to be a part of this novella with my chapter appearing as chapter 2!

What is our story about?

Read the back cover:Cowgirl Ruby Joy Buckner has never left the Lone Star State, but at her father’s request, she takes her faithful canine companion and travels the world in search of Nativity pieces. As Ruby collects the pieces, she also collects a few unexpected surprises, including an awareness of the beauty in other cultures, and quite a menagerie of new friends, thanks in part to Yippee Ti Yi Yo who charms everyone they meet.

Ruby’s budding awareness of life outside Texas opens her eyes to a world of whimsy, and the Nativity pieces she collects are unusual. Will her father approve her eclectic collection … and the changes that travel brought to Ruby’s life?
Read Chapters for free
So here's the fun thing: You are going to get to read the first nine chapters for free.

Chapters 1 through 9 will be posted at Write Integrity Press's blog, one each weekday. The first chapter will appear tomorrow, December 2, 2013. A new chapter will be posted each weekday through chapter nine posting December 12th.

Following that, the final chapters will be available in the entire book released exclusively on Kindle on Friday, December 13, 2013.

The Kindle e-book will be available for FREE from Friday December 13 through Monday December 16. Following the free days, the book will be available for $0.99 throughout the rest of December.

Don't have a Kindle? No problem. Your computer can become your Kindle reader with the free download from Amazon.com:

My chapter will be featured...Are you anxiously awaiting the opportunity to read the chapter I wrote? Well you won't have to wait long. My chapter, the second in the book, will post to the Write Integrity Press blog on Tuesday, December 3.

For more on this project...
If you would like to know more about this collaborative novel, check out the discussion over on my other blog: "Butts About Writing."

How to find the chapters...
Each weekday the next two weeks I'm going to post here not only with a link to the featured chapter, but also introductions to the authors, links to the authors' web sites, blogs, and/or guest blog posts about A Ruby Christmas, and perhaps even an occasional note from Ruby herself!

So visit each day for links to the chapters...and more.

At the end after the ninth chapter posts, you'll find a link here to the free book on Amazon Kindle. (Don't have a Kindle? No problem! You can also read the book on your PC or Mac. I will also give you links for that.)

Wishing you A Ruby Christmas
I hope you enjoy our little story, A Ruby Christmas. And I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season. May the Lord Jesus be always on your mind!

Please share A Ruby Christmas with your friends and contacts. You can use the Tweetables and share buttons below.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!


Tweetables:Wishing you A Ruby #Christmas: Learn about this serial #novel on blog!
http://ow.ly/rb7e9  @DianneEButts #PNP Click to Tweet
Introducing the collaborative novel A Ruby #Christmas. Check it out now! http://ow.ly/rb7e9 @DianneEButts #WIP Click to Tweet

Related article:Wishing You A Ruby Christmas on the Butts About Writing blog.

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