By: Maralee McKee

Greetings!

My heart is beating faster than normal today. My hands are shaky. The butterflies are zooming through my stomach. My legs are a bit wobbly. My eyes misty.

And….I couldn’t be happier!

You see…. tomorrow, Monday October 1 is the official launch date of my debut book, Manners That Matter for Moms.

Bringing a Book to Print is Kind of Like Having a Baby

I jokingly call my book my “book baby.” That’s because for me writing is a lot like childbirth. Lengthy and agonizing.

In the middle of a contraction, especially around hour fourteen, you’re thinking, “When in the world will this physical pain end?” Two-weeks into outlining the book, I thought to myself, “When in the world will this brain pain end?”

But then…the baby emerges, and with one look you say, “That was so worth it.”

So Monday….my book “baby” is out of the “womb” of my computer and into the world, and I’m celebrating, because I’ve already seen the book, and for me, finally now, all that pain was oh so worth it! (It will be available where ever books are sold and for e-readers, too.)

What’s This Book Going to Do for Me and My Family?

Come visit the books very own website. You can read the first three chapters for free! Learn all about the book including it’s bonus features, and discover what people who have read early copies are saying about how it’s impacting their life.  Plus, I have lots of Freebies I created as gifts for you. I want to surprise you with them….so pop on over to the website and claim your presents now!  

(By the way, I think the book has one of the most amazing book websites ever! I owe a debt of gratitude to Professor Martha Garzon, Digital Media professor at Stetson University, and owner of M5Design Studio for bringing my vision to life. She is a true digital artist.)

Everything is Better with a Little Help from Your Friends

Do you have a special friend in your life that you love being around? And if she lives far away and you go for a visit you cry like a baby when you first leave?

I hope you do because you deserve a friend like that!

For me, that friend is a lady a lot of you might already know, and if you don’t know her you’re going to thank me for introducing her to you.

Her name is Christy Jordan, and she’s the founder of Southern Plate . Her wit, warmth, enthusiasm, engaging stories…and oh my goodness….her easy to fix, economical, delicious recipes with photos of every step can turn a novice cook into the best of family cooks. Her food will have your children saying, as mine tell me, “Mom, you’re the best cook ever!”

Her unparalleled mix of warmth and love earns her, are you ready for this, this isn’t a misprint….30 Million blog visits per month. Wow!

Christy is also a food columnist for Taste of  the South magazine and the co-host of GSN’s Beat the Chef’s TV show. Oh…and yes, she’s also a wife, a mom…and she can sing certain songs backwards…you’re just going to have to trust me on that one!

Christy blessed me with the sweetest gift of friendship. She wrote the forward for my book. I’m so excited for you to read it!

Monday We’re each giving away five copies of “Manners That Matter for Moms.” 

To enter to win a copy, visit Southern Plate   and leave a comment on the post she’ll have there on Monday about my book. Also leave a comment on this post either Sunday (today) or Monday before 7 PM (EDT).

Even More Chances to Enter!

For extra chances to win visit our Facebook sites on Monday and leave a comment on the wall posts about the book throughout the day. You’ll find Christy’s Southern Plate page on Facebook here, and you’ll find my Manners Mentor page on Facebook here. (But, remember, wait till Monday for this!)

Throughout the day on Monday from all the entries we each have on our blog posts and Facebook pages we will use Random.org to pick five winners each.  

There’s More Fun…A Scavenger Hunt

Another great reason to check the Manners Mentor Facebook page throughout the day Monday is that I have a fun scavenger hunt for those of you who live near me in the Winter Park, FL area. Follow the clues I’ll be leaving on Facebook throughout Monday, find one of my special invitations, and you and your family (up to four people) will join me Monday for an evening of family friendly fun.

Thank you!

Without your enthusiastic support of my blog posts, Facebook page, children’s classes, radio and TV spots, and your  invitations to speak at your places of business, churches, and moms’ groups this book wouldn’t exist. Thank you also to my publisher Harvest House for bringing my book to life and into the marketplace.

I’ve prayed since day one that what you read on the pages of Manners That Matter for Moms will bless you and your family in a hundred-and-one ways. Please let me know how it impacts you.

PS: I’ll be interviewed by Governor Mike Huckabee for his radio show on the Fox and Friends Radio Network this Tuesday, October 2 at 2:15 PM (EDT). It will be a ten-minute interview, and our topic is,  ”How the Way We Discuss Politics at Home Impacts our Children’s View of the Political Process.” This positive interview will be about how to help our children grow up with an attitude of gratitude and respect for our  political process. I hope you’ll tune in!

Blessings and much love,

Maralee McKee

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