Win an autographed Copy of Ruby Among Us for Mother’s Day:
My debut novel, Ruby Among Us, isn’t out on shelves yet, but I already have copies! So, I thought it would be fun to host a Mother’s Day Giveaway…
Here’s all you have to do to win:
Leave a comment telling me something you love about your own mother, being a mother or about someone who is most like a mother to you (i.e. grandma, sister, aunt, etc. ). Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you or make sure there is one in your profile. You can leave it like this to prevent spam: atforkner [at] yahoo [.] com. I will mail inside the United States and to Canada! So, if you live in Australia, but have a grandmother in the United States, you can still enter to win! I will have a drawing to choose two winners who will receive an autographed copy of Ruby Among Us!
The contest starts today and ends on Friday May 2nd so I can get the book in the mail on Monday or Tuesday and pray it reaches the winner by the Saturday before Mother’s Day.
About My Own Mother:Let me start off the contest by saying that what I appreciate about my own mother is that she always believes in me, win or lose. I always hate to tell her when I have a moment of failure – and there have been many - but I’m grateful that she always loves me anyway. The greatest Mother’s Day gift for her would be if her daughter’s book is a bestseller, but even if it’s not, I know she will treasure the autographed copy I have already sent her like it made it to the NYT Bestseller list!
“…The daughter-mother-grandmother theme in Ruby Among Us pulled me in. Wonderful story-telling.” -Jordin Sparks, 2007 winner of American Idol
“Highly recommended. If you’re a mother or daughter, you’re going to love Ruby Among Us. Forkner does an extraordinary job…. I look forward to more from this author.” -Ane Mulligan, Novel Journey
For extra savings on Ruby Among Us, you can pre-order on the web Here or Here and I’ve even seen great savings Here.
Wow. Your stories are all amazing. I hope people will keep coming back and posting stories.
As for the contest, I have drawn the winners. They are:
(1) Sue and (2) Julie Exstrom
Congratulations and enjoy.
Among many images of my mom from my childhood is the one of her reading. In bed, on the sofa, holding a book while she stirred a pot of sauce; Our house overflowed with books, magazines, piles of papers and all that MESS! And, today, my house does, too. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I wrote very little for the dedication page in my book with a major publishing house coming in December (08), but here’s what made it in:
To my grandmother, Marie Rose,
for always believing;
and my parents, for their love of reading.
Never discount the fact that the love of reading is a great legacy. My grandmother lived with us for the last four years of her life, until she passed away at nearly 92. Right up til the end, one of her greatest concerns was that, no matter where she was, or what she did, she had to have books with her!
Blessings to all readers,
Linore Rose Burkard
http://www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com
“Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul”
My mom and I had a hard relationship when I was growing up. I wasn’t the easiest teenager in the world. My mom and the rest of my family moved cross country right after I graduated and I decided to stay where I was. It wasn’t until after she was gone that I started having a longing for her and the rest of the family. Then I became a Christian and stepped out of my comfort zone by telling her I loved her when we talked by phone. She eventually started telling me the same thing. I began changing and she started seeing my change, especially after I had children. Of course, after children I was able to appreciate her even more. I just received this years Mother’s Day card from her and it was so neat because it was a card that sounded like it was created for her to give to me. One part says, “You’ve become a woman who is more wonderful than eve I imagined you would be (which is saying a lot)”. I’m sure my mom was so afraid for me when I was a teen and young 20 yr old. She has definitely seen the difference Christ has made in my life and in the life of my children. She and I have a wonderful supportive relationship and my goal is to be an example of Christ so that maybe one day He’ll use me to lead my mom and the rest of my family to Christ. Thank you for this opportunity and a chance to read about everyone else’s important people in their lives!
Congratulations on your new baby being released into the world. Isn’t that a wonderful feeling?
I love being a mom because my young-adult kids are all hard-working, God-loving, fun, energetic, responsible people. Thank you, Jesus!
A prisoner of hope,
Megan
My mom is really my best friend, when I was younger she homeschooled my 3 siblings and I, helped our dad in the family restaurant business, took over everything when my dad got shipped overseas during the Gulf War and was always a great example of being active in church, homeschooling, politics and pro-life avenues. Now she is my support system in homeschooling my 5 children, assists in the home births of my babies, we go to the same church and minister together and she maintains wonderful relationships with all 4 of us children and manages to dote like crazy on all 9 of her grandchildren (with 3 more being added in the next 7 months… not everyone has that legacy.
I can remember wanting to be a mother since I was very little. It was just in me I guess. I started at 21 and had four boys very close together, and loved every minute of being hands on mom. Motherhood took on a whole new meaning when I became bed-ridden with a spinal injury when they were all under the age of eight.
I felt I was worthless as a mom, but in time realized that I could love them and be engaged fully with them emotionally because I was no longer running around so busy. That was twelve years ago, and I am so grateful to have my four sons! Being a mom is a tough job, but the reward is having a family that you will always have to love for the rest of your life.
Laura Beth Young~
http://www.CheerfulHearts.org
I love to just hang out with my mom. We go get our toes done or go shopping. When I need someone to just listen I call my mom. I hope that I will have the same kind of relationship with my own daughters when they become adults. I am a better person because of my mom.
I remember as a young teen how often my words must have hurt my mother and for that I am truly sorry. You don’t often see the amazing qualities in the people you are so close to and feel the most safe with. My mother always sacrificed for my sister and myself, through her own dreams and finacially. She has a loving and gently spirit. I am who I am because of my mother.
My mom is the best mentor I will ever have. She taught me sacrifice first hand, along with patience, kindness, and a whole slew of how-to’s.
Without her guidance I wouldn’t be half the mother I am today.
Her name begins with an “L” and I can’t think of a better letter to describe her beliefs. Laugh every single day and find humor in every situation. Love those around you just as you want to be loved. Learn something new with each opportunity that presents itself. Live because you are in charge of your life and anything is possible. She manages each of her roles (grandma, mom, daughter, sister, wife, teacher, friend, rollerblader, etc.) with grace and dignity. That’s my mom . . . and that’s why I love her.
My Mom is an amazing woman. She literally taught me most of what I know because she homeschooled all four of us. And she has truly become one of my best friends as I’ve become an adult. As a teenager, I never thought that would happen, but it has and my life is richer because of her.
My mother is a such a loving and caring woman. She always supports me and my family in any way she can. When I was pregnant with our first daughter and on bedrest for 6 weeks, she stayed with us to help out. She did anything I needed, (even laundry which she loves to do!) and was always there to keep me company, even if I was sleeping. She was amazing! After I got pregnant with our second daughter, I was again on bedrest for 4 weeks and she stayed with us, this time to also help with our first daughter who was 2 at the time. My mom not only cared for me but spent extra time with our first daughter to make sure she was getting what she needed while I was on bedrest. She is such a great caregiver and doesn’t expect anything in return. My mom has a heart of gold and I appreciate and love her so much!
My mother was a strong woman, who left a legacy that I am only now understanding and unraveling. It’s true that our parents and our order in the family are no mistakes, but divine design. This gives me a lot of thought. My mother wrote love stories way back in the 30’s and 40’s and they are a hoot to read! Love is evergreen.
Hi, Tina. I never realized how much time and effort it took in being a mother until I birthed my own child! He’s almost three and both my hubby and I spend massive amounts of time raising him, wanting to make sure he does right in the world. The love I have for my son stuns me, and when I see him each day, it’s like, I can’t believe I actually have a son. When he smiles and laughs, it just amazes me that we created this wonderful child!
Hi Tina,
I would like to start with, I lost my mum when I was 16, she had a massive heart attack. Sad but true. I have had to live with this for 20 years now and its been so hard, having two babies and getting married. And watching all my friends with their mums going shopping etc….So when I had a little girl of my own, I new in my own way that it was mum sending me a little gift. I do have a lot of fond memories of my mum, and what she did for me. And little tips that can help me be a better mum.
Love Amanda
Hi Tina,
My mom means the world to me. Growing up she was always there when us kids needed anything. She did not go to work until we were all in school full time. When my sister was unable to care for her child my parents took him. So there was my mother raising her grandchild like he was her own. She was back doing all the school activities, after school sports and working full time. My mom is one heck of a woman. Four years ago her son was killed in a car accident. When a lot of people would still be mad at God for taking a child, my mom just says that God needed another angel to help him. My mom is one of my best friends. I wouldn’t trade her for anyone in the world.
Tina,
Congratulations! I can only imagine the birth of your first book. It is a probably much like the wonderful birth of your own daughter. What an accomplishment! I am drawn to the motherly qualities among us. Obviously because of the mothering that I was raised with. My mother is someone that I have always wanted to be. To me I see someone that has been a wonderful example of love, faith, respect, and humor. She has a poise and a polish yet, when needed will always will roll her sleaves up farther then anyone I know. She can always make the best “something” out of absolutely nothing. It’s not just the times we have been through, it’s the person that she is everytime, every day. There is an unmistakable character about mothers that are really true mothers. BH
It has been almost 10 years since my mother went to be with Jesus, but I still remember how she smelled sometimes. She loved White Shoulders perfume and kept a little “imitation” bottle of it in her handkerchief box. I kept that box in a special place for many years and when I was having special thoughts about my mother, I’d go in and open the box and inhale the memories. I still treasure her “hankies” and have wonderful memories of her.
My mother in law is the most amazing mother that ever walked this earth. It’s because of her that I didn’t lose faith to keep on striving for the best in life. I was a teen mom and she told me it’s NOT the end of the world and to keep on striving to be the best mom ever. It’s because of her that I am an awesome mom!
I just want to brag on my mother! I have been through so much, and she has been there each step of the way. When she was pregnant, the doctor gave me a 50/50 chance of surviving. If I was born, he said I would never walk or talk. Thank the lord, I am 28, walking, and haven’t stopped talking since! She has taken me under her wing when I’ve been through many trials, including health issues. She was there to comfort me through my divorce, and to give me the hope that God has the perfect man for me and my life. She is not just my mother, she’s my best friend. I love her so much. I always tell her that one day I hope to be just a pinch of a mother to my daughter. I hope that god will bless me with a family, so that she can spoil her grandbaby! Right now she has a granddog, a pug, and she does a fine job! I just love her, what she stands for. Faithfullness to her marriage, love for her child, and most importantly god. God Bless. I love you mom!
Congratulations on the publication of your book, Tina!
My mom passed away a couple of years ago from complications associated with congestive heart failure. She was 85. But in spite of her age, she was one sharp cookie. What I remember most about Mom, and something I try to emulate for my own kids, is that she always accepted me for who I was. She never wanted me to be “better,” she never said I should aspire to be a doctor, lawyer, financier, whatever. She made it abundantly clear that my creative spirit was the most fabulous asset I could have. She read everything I wrote, poured praise thick as honey over every little accomplishment, and most of all, she believed in me. Mom knew I could and would do whatever I set my mind to, and I’ll be forever grateful for her understanding and unconditional love.
my mom is a great grandmother. she adores my kids and always makes them feel so special! since I don’t sew or bake pies, she is the one who showed them how
all of them enjoy going to her house to play or stay the night! I’m grateful they have a grandma that loves them so much!!
My mother is amazing. She has raised 7 children on a pig farm in Nebraska…She always worked on the farm, raised us kids in a very small home. There wasn’t allot of money so she had a garden, canned foods, sewed us clothes, and cooked for us and the hired hands. We weren’t raised in the church but she always made sure that we went to Vacation Bible School in the summer. And that is where I accepted Christ, sitting on a sweet little chair with my VBS teacher. I have always admired my mother’s gentle spirit and sweet words of encouragement…I love her so much. My Mom & Dad were married 50 years when he passed away 1 1/2 years ago. And she has been a shining example of love and strength for all of us. I want to grow up and be just like her.
I love being a mom because I feel connected to my youth through my daughter. She just turned four and we have been having a blast doing things that I used to do and also baking homemade cookies. She brings the best out of me and I’m so proud to be her mommy!
This woman that God has given as my mother. She is always there and she does things that when you think of ‘mom’, that mom’s do. But when I take time to think of her and how she is there and what she does do – the things that stand out in my mind are how she keeps peace in our family. She always makes sure my brother and sister and I are communicating and reaching out to each other. When things are not so great she finds the way to make each of us feel better until things are really better. I love how she is always thinking of activities we can do together and things that we will like or need. She loves her husband and shows respect for him – she even thanks him for the things he does. She loves her grandchildren and they love her. I am very thankful for my mom.
My mom was the reason I even try to write. She told me that not trying is wasting my talent that God gave me. She has been gone for 5yrs now and her words play over and over in my head, leading me to sit down and try to finish my first novel. She was a great Christian women and taught me a lot about having fun and going for what you want. I miss her a lot.
My Southern mother has always loved us with homemade meals and Hallmark cards and special gifts and loads of prayers. But this year, as she’s battled cancer, she’s loved us by modeling Jesus…and leaving a legacy of how we should live. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
My Mom was a very creative person. She designed beautiful quilts, was a commercial graphic artist, and also illustrated her own stories. I know that creative spark was passed on to me from her, and that’s why I am an artist and write also. I am so thankful for that. She passed away when she was only in her fifties, and I always wish I would’ve had more time with her. But I do have some great memories and much inspiration!
Blessings,
Carrie
carrie (at) turansky (dot) com
I owe everything to my mother. Her prayers, her perseverence, her devotion and love. Though she struggles with Parkinsons, she has been there for me all my life, and what a role model for me as a mother.