Atlanta Giveaway #5!

UPDATE Sunday, 8/28/11 at 10:05 pm - WINNER!

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Timestamp: 2011-08-29 02:59:52 UTC
Congrats to Michele! Email me your address and I'll send the book your way!

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I had so hoped to see Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton when I was in Atlanta, but she was only there for just a brief period of time. I knew that her mom, Cheri Hamilton, had written a book called Raising a Soul Surfer, and (I think it was Tuesday) I finally found the publisher's booth where that book was located.

Would you believe that Cheri Hamilton was there just for that hour autographing books?!

What a joy it was to meet her! I had wanted to meet Bethany because my girl loved her book so much when she read it back in sixth grade before we had any idea there would be a movie about it. And I've mentioned before how much we LOVED the movie!

But as a mom, I was thrilled to meet Bethany's mom. How I would have loved to sit down and have a cup of coffee with Cheri Hamilton and talk to her, mom to mom, about raising Bethany and the journey they have been on since the accident. How does a mom walk her daughter through such a horrific accident while grieving and coping with it herself?

Well, we didn't get to have that cup of coffee, but I have the next best thing. Raising a Soul Surfer is a peek into Cheri Hamilton's heart and life, beginning with her childhood and her tumultuous days as a surfer girl on the California beaches. Although she did not become a Christian until she was an adult, she can see God's hand wooing her and guiding her path throughout her life, as well as that of Tom, her husband and Bethany's dad. This is a fascinating book of a mom, a dad, and a family who love the ocean but who love its Creator even more. You will be encouraged by the faith of the Hamiltons, by the faith of those who were involved in the making of the movie, and by the way God is using Bethany's story to touch many.

I knew I wouldn't be able to part with my book, and Cheri and the publisher were kind enough to give me a second book, autographed by Cheri, for one of you! To enter, leave a comment on this post. Enter a second time by leaving another comment telling me you have mentioned this giveaway and linked to it on your blog or Facebook page. Limit two entries per person. US Residents only. Entries must be received by 8:00 pm CDT Sunday, August 28, 2011. A winner will be randomly chosen.

Raising a Soul Surfer
Cheri Hamilton
(Regal Books)
July 4, 2011/272 pages/$22.99
ISBN: 978-0830759699

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Cheri Hamilton, Bethany’s mom, tells the inspiring story of the Hamilton Family.
Bethany Hamilton’s incredible story of surviving and thriving in the wake of a shark attack, told in her best-selling autobiography Soul Surfer, has sold more than 1.5 million copies. Yet her family’s adventures started long before Bethany lost her arm and became a pro surfer. Now Cheri Hamilton, Bethany’s mom, tells the inspiring story of the Hamilton Family.

Raising a Soul Surfer invites readers to journey with the Hamiltons to the lush islands of Hawaii, to experience a worldwide news event, Bethany’s shark attack, from her parents’ point of view. Witness the many small steps of faith and how God stepped in and gave them a higher purpose.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Cheri Hamilton says, "I wrote Raising a Soul Surfer to help families who are going through struggles. I want others to know how God set up our family as a team to deal with life’s uncertainties,” says Cheri. “God doesn’t allow us to go through pain to hurt us, but to heal and transform and draw us to Him. My hope is that our story will encourage you to pursue God regardless of the cost.”

Rick Bundschuh is a writer, cartoonist and one of the teaching Pastors at Kauai Christian Fellowship in Poipu, Kauai. Born and raised in the sleepy beach town of Pacific Beach, Rick eventually abandoned California for the warm waves of Hawaii.

Along the way in his journey he managed to become a veteran youth worker and much published author and cartoonist before helping to found Kauai Christian Fellowship in 1991.

Rick lives in Poipu Beach with his wife Lauren, their kids, a weenie dog and a quiver of surfboards.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Regal Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”