Christmas stories to warm your heart by Penny Zeller + Winner's Choice GIVEAWAY

As cold days encroach on our living and as the holidays cast us into a whirl of activities, we should take time to settle in for a long evening of reading.

What better way than to enjoy a bit of holiday cheer - contemporary or historical - than via a sweet, faith-filled story told by beloved Christian fiction novelist, Penny Zeller.

Here are two to enchant.....

Under the Mistletoe: A Christian Small-Town Rom-Com (Small Town Shenanigans) by Penny Zeller (Author)

❄️He's a nerdy tourist needing a vacation.

❄️She's a bed and breakfast employee with a broken heart.

❄️Love is the last thing they expect to find this Christmas.

Introvert Braxton Wertz needs a vacation, but his trip to the small town of Cloverdale Falls is anything but restful when he finds himself not only falling for the sweet and bubbly Gracely, but also in the crosshairs of geriatric private investigators...and their numerous shenanigans.

Recovering from a painful breakup, extrovert Gracely Eklund needs a vacation. Where better to spend her Christmas than her aunt and uncle's charming bed and breakfast? Her time managing the business comes with a few surprises, one of those being the nerdy and lovable Braxton.

He's from Florida. She's from the Rocky Mountain West. Can Christmastime, an incomplete photo album, and a quirky town with its equally quirky residents bring two unsuspecting hearts together?

Take a trip to Cloverdale Falls in this hilarious Christian rom-com, the second in the Small Town Shenanigans Series. Under the Mistletoe can be read as a standalone or enjoyed in conjunction with Recipe for Love.

Read a sample - click here

**Please note: Under the Mistletoe is a faith-filled contemporary Christian novel.

A Christmas to Remember: A Second Chances Christian Historical Western Romance (Hilltop Series Book 2) - novella - Kindle Edition by Penny Zeller

When Otis MacCallum agrees to deliver much-needed food and medicine to the remote town of Hawthorne, Montana, he knows there's a real possibility he'll again see the woman who broke his heart.

Belinda Finnigan had reasons for declining Otis's proposal, but it still hasn't lessened the pain of losing his friendship. When Otis arrives on her doorstep one wintry December day with food and medicine in hand, can two broken hearts be reconciled? Will theirs be a Christmas to remember?

**Please note: A Christmas to Remember is a faith-filled historical Christian novella.

GIVEAWAY

Winner's choice: Under the Mistletoe or Christmas to Remember

Begins November 21

Ends December 18 @ 11:59 p.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

Christmas Christian fiction books by Penny Zeller

DISCLAIMER: Courtesy posting. Winner's book prize is provided by author and is mailed directly to the winner by author or author's agent. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

LOVE ON THE HORIZON (Horizons Series #4) by Penny Zeller [Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781957847528
Maplebrook Pub. (Buy)
Softcover $16.99
Kindle $3.99 

A fresh start. An unexpected chance at love.

Magnolia “Mags” Davenport has not had an easy life. Determined to leave behind painful memories, she decides, on a whim, to move halfway across the country to Horizon, Idaho, a town she's never before heard of. What should be a simple escape to a new life turns into an adventure she never imagined. From dangerous train rides to a stagecoach robbery, Mags wonders if she'll ever reach her destination. When she finally sets foot in the small town filled with friendly people and a slightly aggravating, but kind and handsome man who needs spectacles, will she find the new beginning her heart craves?

Four things matter most in Timothy Shepherdson's life—faith, family, farming, and food. Content as a farmer and uncle to his passel of nieces and nephews, Timothy isn't interested in courtship or romance, especially since none of the women with their caps set for him can cook. What should be a simple trip into town changes everything after a case of mistaken identity. Timothy finds himself not only under the ire of newcomer Magnolia Davenport, but immensely intrigued when he learns she's opening a bakery. Can he convince the wary baker to both forgive and give him a second chance?

Take a trip to Horizon, Idaho, in this tender romance that reminds us that God is the author of new beginnings.

**Please note: Love on the Horizon is a faith-filled Christian historical romance.**

Perfect for those who enjoy the following tropes:

• Strong heroine
• Friends to more
• Small town
• Found family
• Adoption
• Humor
• Running from the past

Read an excerpt - click here

GIVEAWAY

Begins November 18

Ends December 16 @ 11:59 p.m. ET

Open to USA addresses only.

LOVE ON THE HORIZON (Horizon Series #4) by Penny Zeller

DISCLOSURE: Giveaway uniquely hosted on Chat With Vera. Winner's prize book is provided by and sent to winner by author or author's representative. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Winner is randomly selected using the entry platform. Winner must respond with required information for sending prize to winner within 48 hours of email sending notification time/date. Failure to provide required information within the time allotted will result in a different winner being selected.

God Is ― A Devotional for Teen Girls & Young Women: 60 Days of Learning Who God Is to Understand Who We Are by Alena Franklin from Lifeway Publishing

ISBN: 9798384515630
Hardcover $22.99 US
B&H Publishing

My thoughts:  This isn't just a "make-me-feel-good-about-myself" devotional book to guide young girls in their relationship with God. This book plants the concept of "who the actual being God is in the universe" and then how He being the God of All that He is relates to us in our being.

Profound truths and ideas presented in a gentle, understandable writing style will guide young ladies (or any reader) toward understanding the "I Am" of all - God.

About the book: The beginning of understanding who we are is knowing who God is.

Author Alena Franklin is close enough to her teen years to remember what it is like to ask the question, “Who am I?” From joining friend groups to figuring out what to do after high school and even declaring what career path to pursue, teens are constantly asked to identify themselves in some way. But what if the most important thing about who a teen girl is, isn’t her popularity or college major? What if it’s her creator?

Spend 60 devotions unpacking God’s characteristics in this illustrated devotional. He is good, our helper, all-knowing, perfect, love, a good shepherd, and much more.

This book is filled with

• Encouraging Scripture
• Five-minute devotions
• Colorful artwork
• Daily reflection questions

Teens won’t want to put down this captivating devotional. These truths are the beginning of knowing God more and loving Him deeply. When teens know without a doubt who God is, everything else fades into the distance. While friends and plans do matter, the most important thing is who God says girls are: His daughters.

Download a PDF sample of "God Is" - click here

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. 

The Little Drummer Girl An Unexpected Christmas Story by Sheila Walsh

My thoughts: This is another story about the every recurring Christmas time nativity pageant at church. A little girl really wants to be the star of the show (as she sees it) - the angel proclaiming the birth of the Christ Child. But she auditions and isn't selected. Instead she is chosen to be the little drummer girl.

Though disappointed, she does her part and does it well. And in so doing she learns that the new born babe is really a king and that she is doing her part for The King. 
Precious illustrations are a little reminiscent of books from the 1940s and 1950s but still capture the essence of today's life. Bright. Joyful. Full of life illustrations capture the vibe of the story and the activities surrounding Christmas and Christmas pageants.

The rhyming, story-telling text isn't quite poetry and yet it is a bit more than poetic prose. Works very well as a read-aloud story.

About the book: Isabella loves to dance and sing, so when she sees auditions posted for the Christmas pageant at church, she dreams of landing the perfect part--the Christmas angel with a sparkling halo, flowing white robe, and her very own wings.

But things don't go quite as planned. She does get a part. The little drummer . . . girl? Drummers don't wear sparkling halos, flowing white robes, or wings! Will this be the most disappointing Christmas ever?

Filled with witty rhymes and whimsical illustrations, The Little Drummer Girl helps children ages 3 to 5 understand how an awful day can turn into the greatest day of all. This unique telling of the Christmas story from the perspective of a little girl delivers an entertaining message of hope, humor, and the power of God's love, as shown through his gift of Jesus--not just at Christmas but every day.

DISCLOSURE: I received a copy as part of the Librarything.com Early Reviewers Program.

Ethan's Challenge: A Family Story of Paul's First Missionary Journey by Arnold Ytreeide [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780825448751
Kregel Publications
Juvenile Fiction/Religious
$19.99 Softcover

My thoughts:  I'm not a fan of fictional stories set around Biblical themes and especially with people and incidents from the Bible. That is my personal preference for my own reading. However, I can see it as an opportunity for immersive reading for a child or teen to empathize with the characters when this is done. In Ethan's Challenge we have a teen involved in a missionary journey with Paul, Barnabas, and Mark. The hardships of the time are experienced and Ethan is right there. The story concept reminds me of a series my children enjoyed as young teens - the "We Were There" historical fiction books.

The book and story is fictional and the intent is to encourage spiritual grown in readers. Each short chapter has a devotional thought at the end. So this spiritual growth/devotional emphasis would make this a good family read-aloud book for older elementary and young teens.

The book is not a picture book. Format is a square book and the print is smaller than I like. 

Read an excerpt - click here

About the book: Gather the family for an exciting read about Paul's first missionary journey!

Thirteen-year-old Ethan is happiest when he's hiding between sacks of grain in his mother's storeroom. There, he's safe from the world and doesn't have to be brave or clever like his grandfather Jotham or his father, Amon. But with his famous relatives, Ethan seems destined—or maybe doomed—for adventure.

Before long, Ethan is hundreds of miles from home on a journey with the most famous Christian missionary, running from an angry mob wielding clubs and axes and wanting to kill them. How in the world did he end up here? As a reluctant Ethan travels with Paul, Barnabas, and Mark, he begins to learn the importance of courage in the face of trials and of sharing the good news of Jesus.

Readers of all ages will enjoy the real events and places of Acts 13-15 from the relatable perspective of thirteen-year-old Ethan, who is the descendant of the beloved characters from Arnold Ytreeide's hugely popular Christmas and Easter series. This is the perfect read for families at any time of the year. Purchase a copy: click here

GIVEAWAY

1 copy: Ethan's Challenge

Begins November 12

Ends December 10 @ 11:59 p.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

Ethan's Challenge: Family Story of Paul's FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review from Kregel Publishing. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided and mailed directly to the winner by Kregel Publishing. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Veterans

Veterans. Veteran's Day. Who are they, and what is it? It's a day to remember those who served in the United States of America military services. Some are young. Some are old. Some fought on the ground, upon the seas, and in the air. Some fought myriads of paper work that flowed endlessly across the sea of records that was their desk. Some taught various courses with lectures and chalk upon the chalk board. Some served abroad. Some served at home. They were our military men and women. They are those we respectfully remember on each Veteran's Day.

My husband served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He ended up teaching with lectures and chalk. Radar math for those who would be in the air and on the land tracking with this resource. It was the late 1940s to early 1950s. He never flew a plane or shot at an enemy. But he was a veteran. He loved his time serving his country. He respected our flag. Respected our America. Respected those who served.

And we continue to do so.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CABIN (movie) from Faith Chanel [Promo + $10 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway]

CHRISTMAS AT THE CABIN
 is releasing in theaters November 2025. Watch trailer & get more information  at christmasatthecabinmovie.com

🎄🎄🎄

“Christmas at the Cabin” is the ultimate feel-good family Christmas movie of the season! Starring Todd Terry, Marianne Haaland, Corey Cannon, Sharon Oliphant, and Stacey Sheffield, “Christmas at the Cabin” delivers a touch of chaos and laughter, plenty of heart, and one truly unforgettable Christmas. Beautiful scenery blends with original music and beloved holiday classics, making this a perfect film for the entire family. Make your plans to watch this Christmas and visit christmasatthecabinmovie.com to watch the full trailer & learn more.

Watch interview with actress/screenwriter about how God led in this film.

In theaters November 14

Buy tickets - click here

My thoughts: With a bit of "over-the-top" Christmas doings and goings-on, a husband and wife plus her sister try to get away from it all to the snowy mountains in a rustic cabin. They load their car with Christmas decorations, including outdoor lights, and expect to have loads of rest and glittery Christmas time cheer together. Upon arrival they find the cabin already occupied by a former friend of "husband." This results in chaotic disapproval by wifey.

Whilst they bemoan each other's existence, behaviors, and verbiage wifey feels really out of sorts and storms off in the mountain wilderness.

Some good Christian, biblical revelations take place in their conversations though it was at times difficult to follow their thinking. Some soul searching. Some really silly behavior. Some decent acting. Some not-so-spot-on acting. Some beautiful scenery. Some pretty good job filming.  

Basically, a good family movie that brings to heart some inner feelings and short comings of many of us. Super kudos for terrific animated film credits at end - a real winner windup.

GIVEAWAY

$10 Amazon E-Gift Card: 1 Winner

Begins November 8

Ends November 18 @ 11:59 p.m. ET

Open to USA entrants only

NOTE: We can accept ONLY winners who have NOT won via another blogger's giveaway in this campaign. I will randomly select a 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place candidate to win. Publicist will determine their validity to win. Only 1 winner can win the gift card via Chat With Vera.

$10 Amazon Gift Card "Christmas At The Cabin" the movie promo-USA addresses only!

DISCLOSURE: I am promoting this movie in agreement with Momentum Influencers Network. Any opinions expressed in review of movie are solely my own.  #ChristmasAtTheCabinMIN #ChristmasAtTheCabin @ChristmasAtTheCabin #sponsored