Christmas Cookies Mysteries is up for pre-order! I’m not certain if I’ve told anyone yet, BUT I’m honored to be one of the fourteen authors (including one of the Oak Ridge Boys) in an anthology with mysteries based on the titles from the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Cookies album.
But first the scripture and photo. I love that verse in Isaiah 50! Have ever since I found it back in 2004 when I first started reading through the Bible every year. Since I’m an early riser, I’ve always felt that verse was written just for me. 🙂 as for the photo, I was driving down the highway when I saw the sun crawling over the horizon and pulled over and snapped it.
Here’s the cover and a little more information about the Christmas Cookies Mysteries!
Everybody loves Christmas … and mysteries. And now the two of them have been combined. We hope you’ll enjoy this fun little project revisiting the Christmas Cookies CD. — Joe Bonsall, The Oak Ridge Boys
Christmas is magical and includes many traditions like decorating the tree, giving gifts, baking cookies … and murder and mayhem?!?! Join in the fun this season and create a new holiday tradition with mysteries from more than a baker’s dozen of award winning authors—all inspired by the songs of The Oak Ridge Boys’ Christmas Cookies CD.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing—Patricia Bradley
Ollie Bramlett—Joseph S. Bonsall
From Love to Love—Lisa Preston
Away in a Manger —Beth Pugh
Aunt Elvira’s Jewels (aka Hay Baby)—D. L. Havlin
Little Annie’s Christmas Wish—Christine Clemetson
I’ll be Home for Christmas—Don Bruns
Blessed Be the Day of Our Savior’s Birth—Kathy Harris
Jingle Bells Murder All the Way—Kelly Irvin
Ordinary Days—Delores Topliff
Uncle Luther Made the Stuffing—Vanessa M. Knight
Back to Tennessee—Danielle M Haas
The Warmest Night of the Year—Kaye D. Schmitz
O, Come All Ye Faithful— M.M. Chouinard
O Come All Ye Faithful (Reprise)—Mindy Steele
From me:
Many of the authors have appeared on the Reader Friday blog, and Joe Bonsall, the Oak’s tenor wrote the second story. 🙂 And here’s the opening lines from “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” :
If glaring at the ledger sheet would change the numbers, Jane Albright would do just that. Finances had never been this bad at CrossPointe Fellowship Church in Woodpine, Alabama.
You can pre-order Christmas Cookies Mysteries at Amazon. As soon as I get the B&N link, I’ll post it!
Leave a comment telling me if you knew one of the Oak Ridge Boys was an author, and I’ll enter you in an October drawing for a book from my library. Last week’s winner for a digital copy of Jerusha Agen’s Rising Danger is…Caryl Kane.
Christmas Cookies Mysteries, all inspired by the songs of The Oak Ridge Boys' Christmas Cookies CD is up for preorder! Check it out on my blog and leave a comment and I'll enter you in an October drawing for a book from my library! Share on X
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Comments 55
Gasp! No, I didn’t know one of the Oak Ridge Boys was an author. How multi-talented cool is that? And what a neat idea for an anthology.
Author
I was surprised, too, Priscilla. 🙂 Joe Bonsall is such a nice person…well, all of the Oak Ridge Boys are super nice! And you might want to check the blog again–I added a Youtube video of them singing “Christmas Cookies.”
No, I did not know that one of the Oak Ridge Boys was an author. The anthology sounds good.
Author
Janet, he wrote a really neat story that will surprise you. 🙂 It was a lot of fun! Thanks for stopping by!
Well, now I’m intrigued. I’m not a big country music listener (can I admit that here?), so while I’ve heard of the group, I can’t say I know any of their albums. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate some country music. I just gravitate toward other genres. However, I am curious about the anthology.
That’s a great matching of Scripture to picture. I like that verse, too. We can all get through the day better when instructed by God!
“Once I started building rockets and got good at it, it looked to be pretty definite that I was going to leave Coalwood and go to college. The only problem was I forgot to apply.” from “Don’t Blow Yourself Up” by Homer Hickam. Sometimes I find a book that just catches my curiosity, and I can’t help but read it. This is a memoir from a man who is a Vietnam vet, NASA engineer, a diver who explores shipwrecks including German U-Boats off the Atlantic coast, instructed Japan’s first astronauts, and on and on. It’s a fun read about a truly interesting character.
Author
Oh, wow, Tim, Don’t Blow Yourself Up sounds like something I’ll have to read! I think you’d enjoy the Christmas Cookies Mysteries, and I’ll let you know when it’s available on B&N!
I loved the movie “October Sky,” which was based on Homer Hickam’s book, if I recall correctly. I really should read it…movies so often can’t hold a candle to the books on which they’re based.
Elizabeth, Hickam has a chapter called “Making October Sky” in this book. He’s written several books, and this is the first of his for me. I heard a local radio personality interview Hickam about this book last Sunday. That sold me on it.
I had no idea that one of the Oak Ridge Boys was an author! That’s so cool!
Author
I thought so, too, Terri! Thanks for stopping by.
Love the photo and the Scripture. The second part of the Scripture was profound, “wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” Oh my, that just overwhelmed me and brought me to tears. For some reason, I have missed that part before. It’s like a morning hug from God. So powerful. The sun in the photo is huge, just another indication of how big is God.
Oh, and no I didn’t know one of The Oak Ridge singers was a writer, until you told us. The Christmas Cookie video was fun and most definitely toe-tapping. It’s going to be quite the enjoyable time reading through the anthology…probably will need to have a few Christmas cookies and cup of coffee nearby. Blessings!
Author
I think you’ll really enjoy the Christmas Cookies Mysteries, Barbara. And I have loved that verse in Isaiah ever since I ‘found’ it years ago.
Yes and amen to both, Pat! ☺️ Isaiah is a tremendous book, especially chapter 43
Author
I agree!
These books sound so good!
Author
The stories are all under 7,000 words, Beverly, so they will be something to pick up when you only have a brief period of time to read…or just before bed. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I did not know that Joe Bonsall is an author nor had I heard about the anthology. I will definitely check it out. Sounds fun.
Andrew Scott watched with a grin as his good friend and fellow firefighter, Cole Aaron, raced down the school hallway toward him, both hands clutching at his oversized red velvet shirt.
Wrapped Up In Hope by Janice Lynn
Author
Gloria, Wrapped Up in Hope sounds very interesting! Thanks for putting the first line in the comments!
Oops..just realized that I left out part of the title. Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope by Janice Lynn. It is a Hallmark Publishing book and sweet so far.
No. I did not know one of them was an author. I LOVE Christmas books and Christmas music!
Author
Tammy, I’m hoping this will be an annual thing, taking one of their Christmas CDs and writing stories using the song titles! Thanks for stopping by.
I never knew one of the Oak Ridge Boys was a writer. I knew one was an artist, painter I think, but not that one was a writer. How interesting!
Author
I didn’t either, Megan, until we started talking about doing this. We’re all part of the Seymour Agency suspense writers. 😉
Hi, wow, I had no idea that one of the Oak Ridge singers was an author, that is pretty awesome! These stories in the anthology sound like good reads and I love the book cover . Have a great weekend and stay safe. Thank you for sharing this awesome post.
Author
So glad you enjoyed it, Alicia. I think the stories are pretty awesome, myself. 😉
Oh what a neat idea, and how cool! I will have to come back to listen after nap time is over. I;m between books, but here are the first lines from one my early reader has been working on: “Mr. Putter loved toys. He was old, and he knew he wasn’t supposed to love toys anymore. But he did.” (from “Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Plane” by Cynthia Rylant)
Nope. Had no idea!
Pat, I love the scripture and photo. I’m excited to have won a copy of Jerusha Agen’s Rising Danger.
WOW, I had not idea that one of the Oak Ridge Boys was an author.
How cool is that. I had no idea. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Author
You’re quite welcome, Lucy. Joe is a good writer as his short story will prove. 🙂
Beautiful photo. No, I didn’t know that one of the Oak Ridge Boys was an author.
Author
Thanks, Diana! I love that photo and verse. Thanks for stopping by!
I had no idea an Oak Ridge Boy was an author! The collection certainly sounds enticing and I’m glad you are a part of it.
Author
Thanks, Perrianne! I’m excited to be a part of the anthology and I hope we do it again next year!
I didn’t know one of the Oak Ridge Boys was an author. The book collection sounds very interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Author
You’re welcome, Meredith! The collection has a wide range of mysteries. 🙂
No, I didn’t know he was a author too! so cool!
Author
It is cool, Shelia!
I had no clue that one of The Oak Ridge Boys was an author, and I have been a fan of them for years!
Author
Me, too, Linda! Joe is quite a good author!
I did know Joe Bonsall is an author. I’m an Oak Ridge Boys fan and have the Christmas Cookies album and enjoy mysteries so looking forward to this book. The cover really surprised me – that gingerbread man! Ha, ha. Gingerbread men are my favorite Christmas decoration though none look like that one.
Author
I love the gingerbread man, PJ! I really love the Oak Ridge Boys…and Joe is so sweet and humble…I think that’s why most people don’t know he writes!
Intriguing! I didn’t know about the Oak Ridge author. What a fun project.
Author
Sally Jo, it’s been a great fun project!
Beautiful pic. Sunrise is my favorite because He has given me another day and fresh mercies. I look forward to reading this.
Author
Absolutely, Toni! Thanks for stopping by.
I’m very late this time, but it’s been a very busy week. I’m hoping it will start slowing down some now. Like several others, I did not know one of the Oaks was an author. Years ago, I listened to country music, but I remember the Oak Ridge Boys from their early years in Southern Gospel. In recent years, they have been on a number of the Gaither Homecoming projects. Many singers write songs, and a few write books.
That is a good picture and verse selection.
Author
Thanks, Edward. I’ve loved the Oak Ridge Boys ever since Elvira!
Pat, Elvira is the only country song they sing that I can recall. I can probably come up with the names of several country songs by Kenny Rogers and various others I used to hear on the radio. Much of that goes back to the days when my car only had an AM radio. Even after I got a car with FM, I continued listening to country until I finally found a Christian radio station on FM. During all the years I listened to country music, I don’t remember hearing any songs by the Oak Ridge Boys until Elvira was released.
Beautiful picture. No I didn’t know he was a writer.
Author
Thanks, Paula! I’m so glad Joe is a writer!
I did not know that an Oak Ridge boy was an author. That was a complete surprise to me.
Author
Me, too, Beverly! And quite a good author at that. 🙂
I had no idea one of the Oak Ridge Boys was an author! I love their music
Author
Me, too, Gail! Thanks for stopping by!