Who You Are . . . And a Book Giveaway!

This photo--this lovely smile--was sent to me by a woman named Teri. She's a registered nurse "Traveler", specializing in hospice . . . and a woman of deep faith. She's also a wife, mother (whose"children" include a chocolate lab named B.J.), a fan of Starbucks peppermint mochas, a crafter, an avid reader--and a new friend. I'm delighted.

In the nine months since the release of Critical Care, I've had the pleasure of "meeting" many of you via e-mails, social networks like Twitter and Facebook, and sometimes up-close-and-personal at conferences and book events. Most of the time you have questions-- about the writing of Critical Care, when the next book will be released, about me . . . and in the process I have the opportunity to learn about you. Like:

You're a college student, a high school senior, a nursing student, an O.B. nurse, an O.R. nurse, the sister of a firefighter, an ER ward clerk, a grandmother, a new mother, an aspiring writer, a multi-published author, a woman re-connecting with her faith, a survivor of loss, a caregiver, A Grey's Anatomy "fanatic" . . .

You live in:

California, Canada, North Carolina, Wyoming, Montana, the U.K., Australia, New York, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey . . .

On:

a ranch, in mobile home park, a high-rise apartment, a suburban cul-de-sac . . .

And mostly I've learned:

That you love to read. That you're looking for stories of hope. And you sincerely appreciate it when a book provides that for you. Nothing means more to an author.

So, to show my appreciation to YOU, and to celebrate the upcoming release of Disaster Status:

I'm giving away two signed copies of Critical Care. If you've already read it--gift it to someone who needs a story of hope. If you haven't read it, here's your chance to get "up to speed" with the Mercy Hospital series before the second book hits the shelves.

Simply leave a comment below, and I'll put your name in the drawing. The two winners will be chosen on Sunday morning, Valentine's Day. I'll post the names here and notify them by e-mail as well. (please leave e-mail in this format: candace(at)candacecalvert(dot)com)

Teri, thank you for the photo. You put a lovely face on the many blessings bestowed by readers.