Thursday, October 16, 2014

Scavenger Hunt Stop #31

Welcome to the Autumn 2014 Scavenger Hunt. You have arrived at Stop # 31. The hunt begins at noon (Mountain Time Zone) on October 17, 2014. You may have arrived here before the start which could mean all of the sites aren't ready quite yet. Once the official start has begun, you should go to Stop #1 and then work your way through the sites, gathering clues and entering bonus giveaways, until you reach the final stop which will also be on the site of Robin Lee Hatcher.

The hunt ends on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at one minute before midnight (Mountain). That means you have all of the weekend to finish it, so take your time. Enjoy reading the exclusive content the authors have prepared for you. You will collect a CLUE IN RED at each stop. Write them down as you go. At the end of the hunt, you will enter the clues into a Rafflecopter form. (The answer will make sense, even if you aren't familiar with the quote.)

The hunt is open to international entries. The grand prize is a Kindle Fire HDX. Two runners-up will receive a new release from each of the participating authors.

IN CASE YOU FIND A BROKEN LINK...

Robin Lee Hatcher has prepared a "cheat sheet" with direct links to each author's post in case a site goes down or a link gets broken. We hope there will be no such issues, but just in case, please make note of the URL for the Participating Authors & Stops page so you can check back and be able to complete the hunt.

And now, without further ado, I'd love to introduce you to our friend, Maureen Lang!






Say Hello to Maureen Lang!

Maureen Lang 
has loved storytelling ever since she was ten years old and would invite friends over to "write stories." They often preferred playing with Barbies, but Maureen persevered with storytelling on her own. Since then she's published thirteen novels and is introducing her very first novella, The Gift-Wrapped Bride, which is part of the 12 Brides of Christmas collection. The idea of partnering with other favorite Christian authors for a series of romances set during the holiday season reminded her of inviting friends over to write together—what could be more fun?


Heartland Christmas Brides

Thank you for visiting our Scavenger Hunt and for reading about the first Nativity Scene. A Nativity Drama plays an important part in my novella, The Gift-Wrapped Bride because my hero realizes the intent of every Nativity Scene is to soften hearts toward the miracle of Christ's birth. My hero, a reformed rascal trying to win the love of a woman who knew him only as a schoolhouse bully, tries to convince her he's changed by recruiting young troublemakers for a Christmas Pageant. Once they're transformed by God's grace, she'll see everyone deserves a second chance. God will be glorified, and my hero might just win himself a bride. That is, if the rascals he recruits will let their hearts be softened . . .

My novella is included in Heartland Christmas Brides, available now at your local Walmart, to be followed by Christmas Wedding Bell Brides and White Christmas Brides from a variety of authors offering heartwarming Christmas romances. For more information on the entire collection of the 12 Brides of Christmas, visit our website.

Or if you'd like to purchase all twelve of the novellas in e-book format, one story will be released from online booksellers every week between now and Christmas!

Interested? Check out these wonderful stories at Amazon.com or at Christian Book Distributors!




History of Nativity Pageants

If you're anything like me, spotting a Nativity scene during the Christmas season is becoming more and more precious as the culture around us becomes increasingly secular. I love the visual reminder of what Christmas is really all about. And guess what? This was exactly what Saint Francis of Assisi thought when he introduced the first Nativity scene way back in the year 1223. He was a man who wanted to live like Christ. So he threw off the material world and, much to the consternation of his friends and family, began roaming the countryside as a beggar. A few years later he heard a sermon that inspired him to take his faith even farther - he wanted to preach the gospel wherever he went. Eventually he founded the Franciscan Order of Friars (Friends).


At midnight mass on Christmas Eve 1223 Saint Francis introduced the first Nativity Scene. Choosing the spot in front of a cave in Greccio, Italy, he brought in people to portray the Holy Family and live animals as their humble companions. Saint Francis wanted to bring the gospel alive for worshippers who were likely illiterate, or at least trusted others to read and interpret the Bible for them. He wanted to stir their hearts so they would marvel over the simple wonder of the greatest miracle ever performed—God becoming man to save us from our sins so we can spend eternity with our perfect Creator. This vision, Saint Francis hoped, would live in their minds long after that one night.

Surely Saint Francis's hopes were blessed. Since then, Nativity scenes have been turned into pageants and dramas seen all around the world.

I know it's early to be thinking of the Christmas season, but when you see a Nativity pageant or manger this year, count it among other miracles that such a tradition has lasted nearly eight hundred years!



The Scavenger Hunt Skinny

Thanks so much for stopping by my site and participating in the new Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. Before you move on to Stop #32, which is Maureen Lang's’s site, to pick up your next clue, be sure to write down this Stop #32 clue: SWALLOWED, AND

Also, please note: Many of the authors use Rafflecopter for their giveaways. Rafflecopter requires JavaScript to work. If you can’t see the form, please turn JavaScript on in your browser in order to enter. Rafflecopter sometimes doesn’t work on mobile devices. If you are on a mobile device and can’t see the entry form, then you’ll need to find a computer.


But Before You Go...


As a special thank you for joining in on the Scavenger Hunt, we have an extra giveaway for you! Enter below and you can win a shiny necklace from the Dragon Lady Shoppe!

There will be TWO WINNERS, a boy and a girl. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

73 comments:

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

I would love to win this awesome necklace your giving away for a girl!!! I love the Scavenger hunt it's awesome!!! Thanks for the amazing giveaway!!!

Anonymous said...

I think I'd actually have the dragon trail necklace...I'd have to see what both of them look like. But I'm REALLY into dragons. :)

Emilee said...

I don't have twitter or facebook, is there another way that I can enter?

Unknown said...

Thank you for the drawing for the necklaces. :)

Inklings and Notions said...

I just wanted to let you know that I LOVE your stories and that I can't wait to read your most recent story!

CentralEast2 said...

thanks for participating in the scavenger hunt

Kelsey said...

I'm so happy to see you a part of this scavenger hunt!! I've been making it a mission of mine to collect all your books that I can get my hands on =)

Emilee said...

I want to enter this contest for the necklace, but I don't have twitter or facebook. Is there another way that I can enter?

Anonymous said...

Emilee - There is now an option for you to answer a question and comment on the blog for an entry. :-)

Unknown said...

I have just recently become a fan of your writing. A friend gave me "Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball," and I was enchanted. Thank you for using your gift!

Deanna Stevens said...

Fictional character? I like Puff The Magic Dragon, a good heart & soo loveable. LOL and he's a DRAGON :) would love to be entered, thanks

Author Jessica White said...

My favorite fictional dragon is Disney's Pete's Dragon. He is so protective and loving and a best friend to boot. You are a new to me author, I look forward to reading some of your work.

Galadriel said...

Aslan.

bn100 said...

Mr. Darcy for how he changed

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I don't have a favorite fictional character, but I'm sure my three great-nephews do. Thank you for participating in this scavenger hunt.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

Patricia Hoffmeister said...

James Bond. He gets to use such neat inventions.

Life on the Gravelly Road said...

Fav fictional character? That is a tough one. Love Tolkien books so Frodo Baggins and his faithful friend Sam

moodymolly said...

My favorite fictional character is Charlotte from Charlotte's Web.

pamperedchef.biz/sweetlandkitchen said...

As much as I LOVE Donita's characters--and even Santa--I would have to say, my favorite fictional characters are the ones in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. That was the book that impacted me the earliest and the deepest. Aslan....what more can I say?!

Anonymous said...

Who's your favorite fictional character and why?


Eliza Spooner is my favorite fictional character. She overcame the death of her husband in the Cival war. She was a very strong woamn.

Unknown said...

Tricky Question... I think... Katniss Everdeen. That seems like kind of an easy answer. She was strong and independant. She new enough to question the other world she ever knew.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I could name just one favorite fictional character from all of the books I have read over my lifetime.

Anonymous said...

My favorite fictional character is Eliza Spooner from the A Quilt for Christmas. She is such a strong woman. Her husband died in the Cival war leaving her penniless on the farm with 2 children. She took in a runaway slave and overcame many obstacles

Kelly Blackwell @ Heres My Take On It said...

As funny as this may seem, Ramona Quimby from my childhood Beverly Cleary books. As a little girl, she inspired me to enjoy life. :)

Anonymous said...

My favorite fictional character is Piglet. He does not let anything get him down. He looks for the blessings in everything.
Linda Walters @ lwalters25@charter.net

Unknown said...

My favorite fictional characters are the ladies in Colleen Coble's "Lone Star Sanctuary" series. Each one is faced with the hard choice of marrying a stranger to provide for their child, but each trusts that God will bring good out of the arrangement.

G. said...

I have a new one with each new book I read. I love to read and enjoy the scavenger hunt each year, I truly appreciate all the authors that made it possible.

Jennifer Hibdon said...

I would love to win the necklace! the problem will be keeping it for myself! I have daughters that would love it, also!!!! Thanx for the giveaway!

Jennifer Hibdon said...

My favorite fictional character is the heroine of the book I'm reading at the time!!!! I enjoy reading about heroines that are growling, vibrant characters, not afraid to make changes and seek god's will in their life.

Unknown said...

Hi Donita!
I don't have a favorite fictional character, but I will give you one. I love Anne from Anne of Green Gables. :)
Thank you for the extra giveaway and for introducing Maureen Lang.
I hope you have a blessed Sunday! :)
~Mippy/Sabrina :)

Teresa said...

Just to win anything would be awesome!

Constitutionchic said...

Elizabeth Bennett. Her love of books.

The Artist Librarian said...

Kale Allerion --so many of my online usernames were Lady DragonKeeper in her honor. If C.S. Lewis made me a fan of Christian fantasy; your books made me realize there were authors writing it today. I totally related to Kale (I still do, actually) and the books made me love dragons. LOL, they also may have given me my first fictional crush, a certain squire who will remain unnamed to avoid spoilers ... =)

Thanks for the chance to win! (Rafflecopter Username: Zekkaina)

Unknown said...

My favorite fictional character is Hobbes of the Calvin and Hobbes comics. He just shows how thins the line between reality and imagination is and how easy it is to cross that barrier and dream wonderful adventures. Also, he personifies the power of true friendsship, for me.

Granny's Attic said...

Coroner Kay Scarpetta. I have loved forensics before it even became a "thing." In the 1960s I actually wanted to be a forensic pathologist, but didn't have the funds to attend medical school. Lisa Cowell lisajcowell(at)cs(dot)com

Unknown said...

My favorite fictional character is the Tooth Fairy :-)...Thank You

Linda Rainey said...

My favorite character is Mona or Moma Beth of the Miller Creek series by Cathy Bryant. love to sit on her front porch in a rocking chair, drink sweet tea and listen to her talk about the Lord.

Calliegh said...

My fictional character is Anne of Green Gables. She kept her head up threw everything life gave her. I know she isn't fictional but Anne Frank is also one of my favorites. rackylemaire(at)gmail(dot)com

pol said...

beautiful necklace, thanks for giveaway. thanks for your time with the scavenger hunt it has been fun..
Paula O
kyflo130@yahoo.com

Deborah Acklin said...

Scout, from to Kill A Mockingbird. She reminds me so much of what it was like to grow up a child in the south.

Jaime said...

There are so many fictional characters to choose from! ahhh.

I probably have to say Bilbo Baggins though. I mean, he's a hobbit and he encounters a dragon! :)

Connie R. said...

My favorite fictional character? However can I answer that? I like almost every character in the books I read...the heroes..the villains....but from childhood I especially remember Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew.

Dom said...

My favorite fictional character is (I really want to say James Herriot, but I suppose he doesn't count) Probably all the characters from Prophet. How to decide?!? (Maybe Ela)

Esther Kirkland said...

My favorite fictional character of all time...man, that's a hard call. At the moment, it's probably Percy Blakney, the hero of the Scarlet Pimpernel. You just don't get more grand and heroic than that. <3

Been a fan since Dragon Keeper book 1 -- always glad to see more! And yeah -- I would totally love to win that necklace. lol

~LoriAnn

Unknown said...

That question is almost as hard as picking my favorite book. =) But I'd probably have to say Mr. Darcy. I'm a sucker for a good romantic guy.

Unknown said...

How can you pick just one favorite? That's like being asked which one of your family members is your favorite, okay maybe not exactly like that. hmm maybe Aslan from Narnia he was probably my first favorite.

I am a big fan of your books and when I saw your new series coming out I was really excited.

Thanks for the chance to win. :)

Rachel Garner said...

My favorite Fictional character is Kale. She is a smart woman that works hard.

Unknown said...

Oops I forgot to answer the second part of the question. The Narnia books are the first books I can remember reading when I was a kid that really brought the magic of reading to life. Of getting lost in a book and finding new friends. Aslan was always a favorite of mine because he was always there when they needed him.

I know Aslan might not exactly qualify as a fictional character but I think he still counts.

Meroc Wolfslayer said...

I really enjoy Aragorn from LOTR!! He is the rightful king of the Kingdom of Men, yet he so humble! He is a great character to learn from in his humility toward serving his friends and fellow man!!

Chris B said...

Wow, hard . . . fictional character . . . honestly I have read so much but this past year I read Tricia Goyer's The Promise Box, and Lydia Wyse's mom (mem) is my favorite. She wrote down the promises of God she experienced over tough (and good) years and put them in a box. Lydia received the box and read them. I want to leave that legacy to my children (now adults), point to His promises fulfilled in my life. I am working on it now. It (and the series) really touched me.

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!! My favorite Fictional character is Cinderilla!!

Unknown said...

Hadassah from a voice i the wind by francine rivers. she is sucha humble character who truly lets the love of Christ shine through her every day life.

Lane Hill House said...

Always Heidi (Adelheid)! So often read in my childhood and visual to me as well as the fresh mountain air and the bakery in Frankfurt ~ Alm-Uncle, Peter, Clara, aunt Dete. So many memories of a beautifully written story for all ages. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House

Would love to win your necklace offer!

Glenn Wilson said...

Mine would be Indiana Jones. Because he is bold and adventurous. He is into history and mystery.

Anonymous said...

Superman!

Sissy said...

I loved the Anne of Green Gable era. Thank you for your part in this hunt. hm226@aol.com

Cathy said...

My favorite character would have to be Alice because she was brave enough to explore Wonderland.

bethany said...

Mary Poppins is my all time favorite charachter...It was one of my fav movies growing up and still is as an adult!

Candlesflicker said...

Marshall Wyatt Caradon in The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander. Because he is a strong yet vulnerable character. He is a man's man yet able to admire a woman's strong points as well. Great story.

Gay Idle said...

My favorite fictional character is Elizabeth Bennett of Pride and Prejudice. Love this scavenger hunt!

Linda said...

No fair!!! Within the pages of each book I read, a favorite character emerges. To just choose one would be humanly impossible!

Katherine Fishburn Miller said...

Peter Pan - who really wants to grow up?

Unknown said...

I don't know if I have a favorite Fictional character... I love Kale for the Dragon Keeper chronicles and Cantor from One Realm Beyond! Can't wait for the next one in the series to come out!

Alyssa Michelle said...

I really like Elizabeth Bennet's wit and sense of humor. She's a character I love to revisit.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win the necklace! Thank you for being in the Scavenger Hunt!

Anonymous said...

My favorite character is Jane Eyre. As a young girl, I related to Jane because she was small and plain just as I was!

Carla said...

Mine was Jane Eyre. As a young girl, I related to Jane because she was small and plain just as I was!

LauraHix said...

Laura Ingalls, she is fiesty, fierce, loves, God and LOVES her family!!!

Rebekah Smith said...

If you haven't read Donita's books, you are in for a huge treat! As usual, her latest series is fun and engaging! Love you Donita!

Amy said...

I can't pick just one favorite fictional character!! I love a lot of Disney characters, and stuff like Percy Jackson, and what not too.

Liss said...

Oh my! Picking a favorite character is like picking your favorite kid. I really love James Bond, Bilbo Baggins etc. Each of the characters I love so much just bring me and I feel for them and can't wait for their next adventure.

Bonnie Roof said...

There are many fictional characters that I love - one of them is Charity O'Connor, from author Julie Lessman's 2 sets of trilogies about the O'Connor family. The reason I love her is because of the total change in her personality - due to her spiritual awakening.

Thank you for participating in the scavenger hunt - I enjoyed learning more about your writing!!

bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kaycie said...

It's so hard to pick a favorite character. There are so many good ones. One that sticks out for me now is Bonnie Silver from Bryan Davis' Dragons in our Midst series. She's strong, kind, loves and follows God whole-heartedly. And she has wings. Her character is very inspiring to me.