Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey

My first giveaway!

June 22, 2009  

When I first began blogging nine months ago (sheesh, nine months already?), it was a very lonely experience. I had plenty to say, but I wasn’t sure how to say it and I really wasn’t sure who in the world would ever want to read it.

I had a comment or two here and there, precious evidence that people were indeed out there somewhere. Still, I needed encouragement.

I got that encouragement one day. It came disguised as L.L. Barkat.

L.L. was one of the first regular readers I had, and her blog, Seedlings in Stone, was among the first I ever read on a regular basis (and I still never miss a post). Her words did and do astound me. Make no mistake. When I grow up as a writer, I want to be L.L. Barkat.

She mentioned to me that she had published a book, and I typed myself over to Amazon and bought Stone Crossings.

There are books a person devours and books that a person takes his time reading. Stone Crossings is unique because it’s both.

When L.L. contacted me last week wanting to know if I would be interested in doing a giveaway, it took me all of five seconds to say yes. This is a book that deserves to be read.

From the back cover:

Sometimes it’s hard to see. And even harder to receive. When you’re hurt or angry or confused or doubtful, grace can seem as hard to grasp as sky.

But actually, it’s as real and solid as stones: tangible, weighty, something to hold on to, a way through streams of pain, shame, and abuse.

In these pages L. L. Barkat shares her own painful, powerful story with us. Weaving in truth from Scripture, words from other writers and stories of people who’ve come alongside her in her journey, she shows us the unexpected ways and places she’s discovered grace: grace that has helped her open her heart to love, discover a way past fear, find freedom from shame.

Her story will help you find the rock of God’s grace in the midst of your own broken, hard places. And his grace will give you a new story to tell.

This is more than a memoir, more than the story of one woman’s struggle to find hope and love in the midst of painful memories. It is instead the story of us all as we both seek and find God’s grace in the hard and hidden places of our lives.

If you’d like a chance to get an autographed copy of Stone Crossings, all you need to do is leave a comment. I’ll take them until tomorrow evening. After that, I’ll let the kids pull one name from my hat. Fun all around.
This book will truly bless you as it draws you both inward to your own heart and outward to God’s love. It has blessed my own life in ways I’m only now understanding.
So please, leave your comment below. Stone Crossings is available through Amazon here. And don’t forget to pay L.L. a visit. Tell her I sent you. She’ll make tea.

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Comments

  • Lauryn Abbott

    Congrats on your first giveaway! I'm glad you started blogging nine months ago. Granted I didn't find you right away, but since I have, you've been at the top of my list! Oh, and you know how much I love to read, so . . . Pick me, pick me!!! :-)

  • Lianne

    Me, me, me!!!

    If Billy likes it, I think I'd like it, too. It sounds great!

  • Elaina M. Avalos

    Sounds like my kind of book!

  • Shark Bait

    Sounds great. Don't bother putting my name in the hat; I live in a faraway land with wild animals, and not just down the road.
    I just wanted to get the first comment in before Peter P woke up.

    Now I'm off to her page as you suggested to look around, and see if they serve their tea with lemon over there. :-)

  • Denise

    Sounds awesome, thanks for having a giveaway.I am going to check out her blog right now.

  • Virginia K.

    Sounds great! I'd love the chance to win this book!
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter!
    (do you need my email or anything?)

  • Mylestones

    Thanks for the chance to win this book!

  • Tammy

    Love books! Love giveaways! Count me in.

  • sherri

    I would love a chance to win! Count me in.

  • Chatty Kelly

    I love a giveaway! So enter my name. Thanks!

  • Nitewrit

    Billy,

    Feel a little funny making a comment when a contest is involved. I just like your Blog and like to let you know I'm reading regular. Surprisedme you have only been doing this nine months, I figured you were an old hand at it. not to imply your old. I mean, I'm much older, so you're a kid to me, but I've just been Blogging a bit past a year and though you'd be my senior that way…what I'm sayin' is you're a real enjoyable read everyday.

    Larry E.

  • Jim

    I'm in. I just discovered your blog through Rachelle's blog last week. I look forward to being inspired by your writings and look forward to the day you can be doing a giveaway of my book! (speak those things that be not as though they were…)

    God Bless,
    Jim

  • Helen

    Billy, you are an excellent writer. I would be delighted to read an author you recommend.

  • Lori

    I can appreciate your need for feedback. I enjoy the same.
    Keep up the God work, Billy.
    Lori

  • Candace Jean July 16

    A nine month gestation that births a giveaway! YES! Count me in – as soon as I read this (assuming I win) I know exactly who it will be gifted to.

    Love reading your thoughts!

  • Jeanne Damoff

    Sounds like a powerful book. I'm a big fan of grace and beautiful words. Sign me up. :)

  • Annie K

    Did Candy just have the most…um…interesting analogy of your blog/giveaway or what?

    I need to think of something really good for a giveaway. Get in on all the fun. Hmmmmm….

  • lahlah

    Oooh, I love book giveaways! Thanks for a chance to win it! I discovered your blog when you posted the Christmas Pickle story, and I've been reading it ever since. Even gotten some of my friends and family hooked. In case you ever doubt it, you are touching lives and making a difference. It's made a difference in mine.

  • April

    Sure sounds like a great book! Yes, please count me in!

  • Jennifer

    Hi Billy, I'm leaving a comment to highly recommend the book. I have a copy, so don't include me in the drawing. (This book has been my summer reading.)

    I have made what may seem like a strange commitment to read this book only while I'm outdoors. I think that will make sense to you and to other readers of Stone Crossings….

    The book pierces the heart – as do the chapter discussion questions.

  • Beth

    Nothing causes me to delurk like a free book…especially what sounds like an excellent book.

    Shameless. I know.

  • His grace is sufficient.

    Would love a book. Now I am off to check out her site.

  • Amy @ Six Flower Mom

    Sounds great! I am having my first giveaway also!

  • Anne L.B.

    I'm almost hesitant to put my name in, because if Billy recommends it, I'll wind up getting it regardless. So if I DON'T win, maybe someone else will be more likely to read it. But if I DO win, maybe that means God wants me to make it a priority to read it.

    Aw shucks, just put my name in. Lord, please be sure it gets where YOU want it.

  • mom2six

    Came over here today by way of Jennifer's blog, "Getting Down With Jesus." Your comment there touched my heart. How great that you present an opportunity to have L.L.'s book. She is an amazing writer and encourager. Please enter me. Thanks, I look forward to checking out your blog.

  • Beth E.

    Yay for giveaways! This sounds like a great book. If I don't win it, I'll just have to buy it…but I do hope I WIN IT. ;-)

    Thanks, Billy!
    Beth E.

  • T. Anne

    Oooh pull my name children! I would love to get a copy of this wonderful novel! Thanks for the contest Billy.

  • Peter P

    Billy,

    I don't necessarily want to be in the drawing for the book but I do want to tell you that I very much appreciate you reading and commenting on my blog – and I LOVE yours!

    Can't wait until you do the first giveaway of your own book!

  • RhodeIslandAlissa

    wow sounds like a great book.

    I look forward to reading your blog, and thankful that I found it!

  • sharilyn

    hey billy, love the "vacation" banner photo! :) i just got home from my overseas trip to Georgia (country, not state) and am going to have to catch up on your posts for the past two weeks… looking forward to the reading time! :) hope your time away was fun and refreshing! :) (ps. pick me! pick me!!)

  • Shanda

    L.L.'s book sounds amazing. Necessary even. Definitely put my name in your hat!

    For future reference; when your book does get published, I would be thrilled to do a give away on my blog for it! ;) (Just thought I'd plant that seed now!)

  • deb

    no need to enter me , just wanted to let others know that I have read/received , the gift of Stone Crossings and it certainly is grace that should be shared

  • Angela

    The book sounds amazing! I would love to be entered for the drawing. Thanks!

  • Tony York

    Hey.. Billy… can you bake a cherry pie, Darling Billy?

    If you can, I will take that as a giveaway. Anyway. How about taking some of your stuff, printing it on your home printer, binding it with one of those man paper clips that looks like the jaws of a steel trap, and giving that away. I would put my name in a hat for that.

    And of course… if you would like to enter me for a LL's book… I would be happy to receive it.

    I like the new picture on the blog… very 'authorish' in an 'old-man-and-the-sea' kinda way.

    Not saying your old or anything. :)

  • Stacey

    Sounds great. I want in!

  • Sockrma18

    I cannot wait to get this book….if I don't win I'll be headin' over to Amazon to get it straight away!

    LL is awesome….I love her blog too.

    When you grow up….you should want to be Billy Coffey. Why? Because Billy Coffey is pretty stinkin' awesome if I do say so myself.

    I'M JUST SAYIN'…..

    {{HUGS}}
    Click

  • Wendy

    Okay, I'm commenting. And I'll go check out her blog, too. I'm looking forward to the tea. :o )

  • Beth in NC

    I want it … me … yoo hoo … pull my name out of the hat.

    Choose me … little ol' me. :o )

  • Kate

    I want my name in a hat!

  • katdish

    Like you don't get enough comments on this blog. You're so greedy…

    Okay. I'm in. If I don't win, I probably get the book anyway. I love a good book.

  • Julie

    Oh, I want to have my name thrown in….

    Thanks, Billy!

  • Jennifer

    Enter my name, please. Giveaways are fun. I am thankful you started blogging 9 months ago. Your words inspire me on days filled with nothing but complaints, diapers, and spit up.

  • gzusfreek

    Billy this is amazing! 42 comments and counting? Man, I am so happy for you brother! The book sound great, hope the kids pull my name :)

  • Tina Dee Books

    Seems she is to you what you are to us. I'm in! I'd love to win, but then again, I'd love for any of us to win, LOL!

    Thanks for intro'ing us to someone who inspires YOU. Will definitely go visit her!

  • got2havefaith

    Count me in! Thanks!

  • ~*Michelle*~

    When I first began blogging nine months ago …..

    Shut.the.door.

    only nine months? That is truly blowing my mind…..your writing is so refreshing and new, yet has a seasoned wisdom that I would have thought you've been doing this much longer. (well, I know you've always written, but writing a blog and connecting to people is just different, yk?)

    anyway…..don't count my comment as an entry as I am a horrible reader. Well of course, I can read…..but my un-medicated ADD makes it very difficult. If I end up being picked by a random generator..please pass on to the commenter that is 7 up, (I have no clue who that is..that number just popped in my ADD brain!)

    Peace~
    *~Michelle~*

  • Eric

    Ok…here's my comment…already like whwat I see here Billy and have added you to the blogroll. I too have enjoyed the inspiration and supportive comments from L.L. Glad to follow you…

  • Heart2Heart

    WOO HOO Billy! Congratulations on another first! Please stop by my blog today for well deserved recognition. Hope you don't mind!

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

  • A Simple Country Girl

    Hello. I've spied from the bushes in recent weeks, ever since joining the Random Acts of Poetry prompts from the talented L.L. Barkat. Somewhere along that clicking path I found your blog.

    I, like you, devoured said book initially (standing alone in the kitchen en route to bed, I opened it to take a "quick" look inside; I was still there 2 hours later). Now, I can take one morsel at a time and roll it over in my heart until it melts into me.

    Please, don't enter me into the happy, happy hat dance with your kids. Just know that I stop by occasionally and part the hedge to snag a peek.
    Blessings.

  • The Homefront

    I haven't been to your archives to look through (it takes free time for that, and I haven't had much lately!), but I wouldn't have guessed you've only been blogging for nine months!

    Thanks for the link, I hope LL makes her tea Southern-sweet. :)

  • Amy Deardon

    Billy, thanks for letting us know about the book! Sounds great (hope I win…)

  • Carrie

    This book sounds wonderful! Thanks for recommending it.

  • Carrie

    The book sounds wonderful! Thanks for recommending it.

  • Frisbies Forever

    Maybe it could give me inspiration. : ) I love to read. Good Luck!!

  • Michael

    Now I don't want to be spoiled (necessarily), but can someone tell me what happened in the author's life (as far as the book is concerned)?

    Was it parental abuse of some kind?

    I would like to know, as I have a witnessing opportunity with someone in this type of situation, and well, God may have led me here today for a reason.

    Thanks

  • lori

    What the heck…never win a thing…in fact I just might head over to Amazon and buy it before you announce a winner:)

    It sounds FABULOUS!!
    Thanks for sharing it with those of us who just don't ever win…except as my husband reminds me ALL the time…except in love:)

    long lost sis with the old truck and ripped jeans:)

    peace Billy,
    lori

  • Jean
  • Seeking Grace on the Narrow Path

    My goodness Mr. Billy, you are indeed growing as a writer. Tell the kids Bren would love to read L.L.'s book. I will be sure to check her blog out; sounds like a talented writer.
    God bless you my friend. Please remember me in your prayers as I head off to do what God has called me to do.
    Your sister in Christ,
    Bren

  • Carmen7351

    This is the first I've heard of you or L.L. Barkat. I enjoy your blogs. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
    Do you write on military issues?