Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Scavenger Hunt Guest Melanie Dickerson!

SCAVENGER HUNT STOP #17

 Follow the clues, win prizes --including a Kindle Fire, free books and more!  

Don't you adore gathering clues and solving a mystery? That love of the hunt partially inspired the Raleigh Harmon mystery series. But it's also why I'm over-the-moon about this Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. It's thrilling to see readers not only find clues but new authors -- and win awesome prizes to boot.

The Scavenger Hunt's starting gun goes off at noon MDT on 10/25. The hunt stays open until midnight MDT on 10/28 —plenty of time to collect all the clues. With 31 stops, you'll be meeting some cool authors. New novels. Soon-to-be-released novels. And at each stop, exclusive content. Is this awesome or what?

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to collect all the clues in RED on each blog post, beginning at Stop #1, the home of our hunt's leader, author Lisa Bergeren. Then proceed through to Stop #32 where you'll fill out a Rafflecopter form. Provide the completed clue quote -- all the RED words you gathered from all 31 stops -- and have that ready within 24 hours of email notification of winning, or else another winner will be randomly drawn. Don’t let that happen to you! (Of course, if you’re not notified on 10/29/12, don't email or submit anything else. Just rejoice in the experience of playing. Nobody goes home a loser in this hunt, since each stop offers exclusive content found nowhere else.)

The Grand Prize is a new Kindle Fire, plus 31 new novels!

Second and Third Prizes are $50 Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD or BookDepository.com gift certificates (And here's the fine print few of us read: Contest is open to international entrants. If the winner lives outside the United States, they shall win the equivalent in gift certificate funds to the prize in US dollars.)

Now, on with our guest! 
Please welcome my friend Melanie Dickerson. Would you look at that smile? The woman should be on a toothpaste commercial. But she's too talented for that. 

Melanie is the author of The Healer's Apprentice and The Merchant's Daughter, both Christy Award finalists. She's also the winner of The National Reader's Choice Award for 2010's Best First Book, and winner of the 2012 Carol Award in Young Adult fiction. 

With all that great talent, she still lives out of a servant's heart. After earning her bachelor's degree in special education from The University of Alabama, Melanie taught special-needs children from Georgia and Tennessee, in addition to teaching English to adults in Germany and Ukraine. These days she spends her time writing and taking care of her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama. 

Yep. A southern gal. She's got everything.

Melanie's latest release is The Fairest Beauty. In this Snow White fairy tale retelling, a woman arrives in Hagenheim claiming the young woman betrothed to the duke’s son, Valten, is still alive. With Valten injured, his younger brother, Gabe, defies his family to find Sophie himself. Meanwhile, Sophie desperately wants to get away from her stepmother’s jealousy, and plans to escape. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother. This could be Sophie’s one chance at freedom---but can she trust another person to keep her safe?


It's a great premise, and just for you Scavenger Hunters, Melanie's offering this EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL, a scene that was deleted from The Fairest Beauty. First, from the perspective of Sophie. Then from Gabe's viewpoint.
A kind face, and handsome too. Sophie didn’t like to think what would happen to him if Duchess Ermengard disbelieved his story. He wasn’t like anyone she had met before. He was courageous, having stood up to Lorencz, refusing to leave when she warned him about Duchess Ermengard, and yet he didn’t have the swagger and bluster of a fighting man—a knight or guard—or a hunter.
She reclined on the ground, propping her back against a small tree, and watched him do the task. 
“Will you tell me about them? About your mother and father and brothers and sisters?”
A gentle smile edged his lips and he sighed slightly. An unfamiliar feeling of contentment and safety came over Sophie. She nestled on the ground and pillowed her head on her arm as she stared up at him.
~ ~ ~
Gabe could see she was exhausted, but Sophie still had a radiant beauty. He felt her eyes on him as he stuffed the mattress. Her question about his family surprised him. An orphan, she was curious about his family. The thought pricked his heart, and he knew if his mother were here, she’d adopt Sophie on the spot and lavish her with love. Finding out whether she was the daughter of Duke Baldewin would be a lesser priority.
“My mother’s name is Rose. She is very beautiful, with long red-brown hair, brown eyes and a big smile. My father fell in love with her when he wasn’t allowed to marry her. He said she was the most beautiful, sweet, virtuous maiden in the region, and he was determined to marry her, no matter what he had to do . . . ."

Melanie Dickerson's The Fairest Beauty is available at AmazonBarnes and Noble, CBD, or your local bookstore.

But before you leave, write down this STOP #17 clue: LIVING.

Your next stop is Melanie's own blog. Have fun -- and keep reading!

Oh, and if you want a chance to win ANOTHER PRIZE, sign up for my (fun and 100 percent spam-free!) newsletter. You'll be entered to win an audio CD of one of my books, and a copy of my latest release The Stars Shine Bright
    Thanks so much. And I hope YOU win!




156 comments:

  1. Your books look like good reads! :)

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    1. Thanks, Hannah. From your picture here, I'd say you and Raleigh would like each other. :-)

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  2. Thanks so much for hosting me, Sibella!!! I laughed out loud at your toothpaste commercial comment! :-)
    And a shout out to Lisa Bergren for putting this scavenger hunt together! She is amazing!
    Thanks again! Your books look amazing, Sibella! I need to read them!!!

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  3. Melanie, I'm with you about Lisa B -- she is a total marvel. My pleasure hosting you and your books. Hug your orthodontist!

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    1. I guess I'll have to hug my mom! I inherited her straight teeth! :-)

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    2. Now I am even more impressed.

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    1. Completely agree. All the best parts of shopping for books, without getting out of our pajamas. :-)

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  5. I'm enjoying this scavenger hunt! Your books look very interesting. I hope to read one soon! : ) Blessings~Stacey

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    1. Glad you are enjoying the hunt, Stacey. What a sweet photo! Go win some fun reading!

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  6. Love your blog...just signed up for it. Thanks for being a part of this fun hunt.

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    1. Thanks, Marianne! The hunt is a total blast, isn't it?

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    1. Cool, Valarie! And I like the spelling of your name.

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    1. Emily, thanks for asking. Over on the right side of this page, you should see a Subscribe button. If that doesn't work, try the home page of this site. I will try to add a link to the body of the post -- thanks for the reminder! -- sibella

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  9. Exciting!! I'm so grateful for this scavenger hunt as it has helped me find fantastic new authors!!

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  10. I think this book sounds amazing! Love the cover, too!

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  11. Had to say I was pretty excited when I saw that you're one of the participants in this hunt! I love your books!

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    1. Aw, thanks, RJ. I'm in some amazing company on this Hunt. Authors AND readers both. Thanks for your kind words.

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  12. I have found out about so many books that I wouldn't have known about any other way. Thanks for participating in the Scavenger Hunt.

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    1. It's like one of those Russian Nesting dolls -- just when you think you've found them all, there's another one! Truly delightful. Glad you are here, Sustahl.

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  13. Great post! This Scavenger Hunt is fun! :)

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  14. I subscribed via the link. I am enjoying the hunt and meeting all the new-to-me authors! Sibella, I loved your post on Richmond,very intriguing!

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    1. Thanks, Marie. It's quite a city! So glad to meet you here. Hope you have a great Hunt!

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  15. Thoroughly enjoying the scavenger hunt! Lots of great new authors to "meet" and add to my TBR list! Sign me up!
    amy(at)amydrown(dot)com

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  16. I subscribed(at least I'm pretty sure that I did) and followed you on FB. Your newest is the only book I don't have in the series and would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.
    clariail1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Cindy, thank you. And for the Facebook follow. Hope you win some good stuff here.

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  17. Thanks so much for this scavenger hunt!

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    1. Susan, it's the brain child of author Lisa Tawn Bergren (stop #1 and #32). She deserves all the praise!

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  18. I am subscribing to your newsletter and follow you on FB. I would love to be a winner :) Thank you for the giveaway!!!

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    1. Thanks for the follow on FB! Looking forward to the connection.

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  19. Sibella,

    What a wonderful website! This scavenger hunt has been a great way for us to get to know new-to-me authors and books. Looking forward to what the Lord is doing with your words.

    Blessings,
    Becky Doughty

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    1. Thanks for your sweet words, Becky! Really appreciate it.

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  20. Signed up for your newsletter ! Thanks for doing this. I would LOVE to win your new book and CD. I really like to listen to audio books when we travel :)
    What a great cover !

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    1. Carla, I'm hooked on audio books too. Makes every drive feel half as long. Thanks for signing up. I'll try to do more giveaways in the future.

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  21. Signed up for the newsletter and looked everywhere I could to keep my eye on you!!!

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  22. You're a new author to me! It's great finding out about several new (and great!) authors during this scavenger hunt!

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    1. Rina, I always find at least one new author in the Hunt. And such a fun way to find them, too. Glad you are participating.

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  23. I echo Rina: It's great to find out about new authors!

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    1. Then I echo you both, because that's one of my favorite things about these scavenger hunts! So glad you are coming out to play with words! :-)

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  24. I signed up for the newsletter! I look forward to reading your books!

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  25. Thanks for participating in this fun scavenger hunt. I have to tell you, the description for "The Stones Cry Out" immediately made me think of my brother-in-law. He fell from a 30' roof 15 months ago and was extremely blessed to survive. It was a long hard road - he only started working again a few weeks ago - but God was with him 100% of the way. (I know the people who fall in your book don't survive, just had to share anyway.)

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    1. Oh, my. Just hearing that scares me. So glad he is making a strong recovery. Writing about the roof falls really gave me the willies. But it was based on an actual FBI case involving forensic geology. The FBI agent who investigated walked me through the whole horrible thing. Prayers for your brother, and yes, God was with him all the way.

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  26. Hi, I love the history of Richmond. I was once able to visit there for a meeting and couldn't get enough of it. Would love to be able to read your book.

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    1. So you understand what I'm saying about Richmond, Cherie! Such an interesting place. My first and third books are set there. In fact, "The Clouds Roll Away" is dedicated to Richmond. The city meant that much to me. :-)

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  27. Fun, fun hunt! Thank you for being a part of it. I signed up for your newsletter!

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    1. Fun is right, Judy. Thanks for signing up for the newsletter!

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  28. Loving the hunt. Thanks for participating! : )

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    1. Thanks, Beth. So glad you're enjoying the hunt.

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  29. Oh wow!! The cover is BEAUTIFUL!!

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    1. Isn't it, Catherine? I want to walk into that world.

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  30. Hi Sibella (such a beautiful name), thanks for sharin! Signed up for your newsletter! :)

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  31. Signed up! Your books look amazing. Thank you for participating in the scavenger hunt!

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    1. Anneliese, I should be thanking you. :-) Have fun with all these great stops! Thanks for signing up.

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  32. Thanks for participating in the scavenger hunt!

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    1. I am really bowled over at being thanked, Trish. Thank YOU.

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    1. New reader appreciated! :-0 Have fun, Michelle.

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  34. I'm with Michele... I love discovering all these new to me authors! Thanks for being in the "hunt". ;-)

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    1. Now y'all are just embarrassing me! :-0
      It's truly my pleasure being here and meeting you.

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  35. Thanks for participating in the Scavenger Hunt.

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    1. Bluenichols, you are most welcome. Have fun making the stops!

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  36. Signed up for your newsletter and looking forward to reading your books.

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    1. Mom of 9, I am honored. You must be busy -- hope you make all the stops and win some swag. :-)

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  37. I'm pretty sure I signed up. I tried a couple of things, but I wasn't sure which was your newsletter. ;)

    bethyhope96(at)yahoo.com

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    1. Beth, I will make sure your name is in the raffle. Thanks for adding your email. Love you pic!

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  38. Having so much fun visiting all you talented ladies on this scavenger hunt. I am looking forward to your newsletter :)

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    1. Mama Mudbug, you have a great nickname! Agree with you about the scavenger huunt -- so much fun! Thanks for signging up.

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  39. This hunt is a BLAST!!!
    Please tell me there is another book in the Raleigh Harmon series. I need to see Raleigh and Jack as a couple. You left us all hanging :)
    "like" your fb and Amazon page.

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    1. Lynn, I'm working on it right now. Those two keep me busy -- what a pair. Or not a pair. Can they even decide? :-) Thanks for the like and the amazon shoutout. Really appreciate it.

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  40. Yay! Another audio prize, my blind grandma goes through them too fast for her blind pension, so she's love any extras I could scoop up. :)

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    1. How sweet of you to think of grandmother, Melissa. I'm so glad to hear that. Thanks for writing.

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  41. Sibella I am so glad I got to know little about you here-what a talanted young woman you are with all you have done so far..thanks for hosting Melanie to us and the "Hunt" enjoying seeing so many wonderful authors.
    I am off to the next stop...........
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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    1. Go, Paula! Thanks for pausing long enough to drop a line! Really appreciate it.

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  42. The Fairest Beauty sounds like a great book. Another great read for me to add to my wish list! Thank you for participating!

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    1. Thank you, Flghtlss! :-) Thanks to everyone who stopped here and read my excerpt! I appreciate all the kind comments, and of course, my wonderful hostess, Sibella! Blessings!!!

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  43. Fairest Beauty sounds great - and I'm in LOVE with the gorgeous cover!

    Thanks for the chance to win the audio prize. :) I signed up for your newsletter. (nicnac63 AT hotmail DOT com)

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    1. C.E. thanks for signing up. Totally agree with you about Fairest Beauty's cover.

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  44. Signed up for the newsletter! Thanks for joining the hunt. :)
    tsazspoll (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  45. Sibella,
    I'm already an email subscriber on your blog, because I am crazy about Raleigh Harmon! I'm so excited to know that the first book of the series is being re-released! I'll have to take a look! Thanks for hosting the giveaway, and please get cracking on more Raleigh Harmon books! I'm addicted!

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    1. Kandra, thanks for your sweet words about Raleigh. I'm glad you enjoy her company. Really apprecite you commenting.

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  46. Sounds like such a great book! Love the scavenger hunt!

    Lauren - laurenf917@yahoo.com

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    1. Doesn't it, Lauren? Be sure to let Melanie know at the next stop!

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  47. thanks for being a part of this hunt.

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    1. Marla, thank YOU. I'm loving hearing from readers. Thanks for commenting.

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  48. Sounds like all the books would be great.
    belovedgraceful@bellsouth.net

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  49. I signed up for your newsletter! :) Thanks for the bonus giveaway!
    Kim
    lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

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    1. My pleasure, Kim. Wishing I could give a prize to everyone of you.

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  50. Thanks for participating in the hunt. It has been so much fun!

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    1. Isn't it fun? Like an online party -- with books! Yeah!

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  51. Thanks for the fun information you've provided on your site. I love meeting new (to me at least ) Christian authors. Appreciate your participation in the scavenger hunt and for offering extra chances at prizes.

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    1. Totally my pleasure. Thank you for stopping by and for commenting. Hope you enjoy the rest of the hunt.

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  52. Thank you for participating in the scavenger hunt! I'm really enjoying finding new authors and new books!

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    1. That's what it's all about, Randi. And we're all having such a fun time doing it. :-)

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  53. Sibella,
    Your books sound right up my alley! I love reading forensic inspired stories. Although, rarely is anything (books or otherwise) correct from a forensic research prospective. All the fieldwork and workup is never entirely done by the same person - a team, a lab of individuals, plus investigators, makes all of this possible. Generally, books provide a better depiction of this and it is an escape from reality. Sorry for the comment - it's not meant to be critical, but as a Ph.D. student in a marine microbiology lab I am well aware of the teamwork involved in research. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. This,my first, scavenger hunt is really neat and I am compiling a growing list of "to be read".

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    1. Chelle, there is a certain amount that isn't EXACTLY the same. But Raleigh Harmon is both a forensic geologist and a Special Agent, so she's got some real latitude for sleuthing crime scenes. She very rarely does the lab tests herself, and notes the reasons why for readers. Thanks for your keen observations. So glad you're enjoying the Scavenger Hunt.

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  54. This scavenger hunt is such a great opportunity! I'm so excited to begin reading all the books being added to my "to read" list!! :)

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  55. this scavenger hunt has been fun thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  56. I've found a new author - yay!! Looking forward to reading your books!

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  57. I am looking forward to reading THE FAIREST BEAUTY.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Melanie's book does look good, Mary. Be sure to let her know. She's the next stop on the Hunt.

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  58. Thanks so much -- I am enjoying discovering new authors through the scavenger hunt.

    For some reason on the preview it keeps showing me as Anonymous. Maybe it will show my name when it actually goes through, but in case not, this is Barbara H., barbarah06 (at) gmail (dot) com, http://barbarah.wordpress.com.

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  59. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for participating in the hunt. I'ts been great fun.

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  60. I'm finding all sorts of new authors to check out on this scavenger hunt - including both of you. :-)

    Signed up for the newsletter.

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    1. Isn't it amazing, Sapphire? My to-be-read list is really long after the Hunt!

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  61. I really enjoyed the description of your new book. I wrote it down as one I plan to get for myself!

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  62. Thanks so much for this great chance!!!

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  63. It's so neat to discover new authors on this scavenger hunt. My reading list has increased!

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  64. Signed up for your newsletter. I love the design at the top of your website! :)

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Jes. My web designer is a marvel. I will let her know you said that.

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  65. Can't wait to visit the Virginia Room. Thanks for the link.

    I'm a born and bred Virginian who loves stories set in my state. I shall be reading "The Stones Cry Out."

    Signed up for your newsletter.


    gilliach(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Cara, you will not be disappointed in those archive photos. I spent HOURS dreaming through them, happily. Virginia is a very special place, you are fortunate to live there.

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  66. I am so loving this scavenger hunt and reading blurbs about the many wonderful books out there just waiting to be read. Thank you for following your heart and providing us with some good reads to choose from. All sound wonderfully interesting, and a nice escape from life-without all the packing and getting there!
    I have signed up for your newsletter and will be looking forward to receiving and hearing all about your upcoming adventures in writing.
    Shan
    shcreative@sympatico.ca

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    1. Shan, thanks for your lovely note. It's an honor to be part of this hunt, with such good company among both authors and readers. Loving every minute! Thanks for signing up for the newsletter.

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  67. Thank you for doing the hunt. I am enjoying it. I haven't heard of you until today. I added your name to my list of my new authors. I think that my daughter would enjoy your books. So I'll have to find some for her. I absolutely love Melanie Dickerson's books. I really enjoyed getting to read the deleted scene.
    Thanks and God Bless,
    Kim in NC

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    1. Excellent, Kim. And how nice that you find books for your daughter. Lovely. Glad you are enjoying the hunt.

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  68. Thanks for participating in this scavenger hunt. I look forward to getting to know your books.
    Laura Wilson

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    1. Thanks, Laura. Love that baby wearing shades!

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  69. I had not heard of you or your books until today, but they seem very interesting. I am adding you to my TBR books as of now! Thanks! lcenlow@sit-co.net

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    1. That TBR list is so fun -- like a Christmas list that never ends.

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  70. Many thanks for the scavenger hunt, it's great fun.

    Great to have the chance to read Melanie's deleted material.

    Blessings

    Ruth Ann Dell

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    1. So glad you liked it, Ruth. It was an honor to host her here.

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  71. I subscribed to your newsletter. Thanks for being on the "hunt."

    valleyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Darcy, I am enjoying it so much I'm not sure I should be thanked. ;-)

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  72. "The Stones Cry Out" sounds really good. This is so much fun and I have a full list of books to order! I lived in Anchorage when I was much younger. My dad was stationed at Ft. Richardson. I loved it there, but my dad said it was because I didn't have to shovel snow in the winter. Ha,ha.

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  73. What a fun way to spend the weekend

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  75. June, your dad's got a good point! Made me laugh, too. The fourth Raleigh Harmon book is set in Alaska, if you're interested in visiting again. :-) THanks for writing.

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  76. Thanks for being part of this hunt. I have 'met' several new (to me) authors. I look forward to reading one of your titles in the near future. :-)

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