Welcome to the inaugural Back to School Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. We hope that throughout this hunt, you discover some new books and get to know a little more about us.
A few things before you begin:
This hunt is a blog hop. Collect the “clues” (pieces to the longer phrase) at each stop. Enter the individual giveaways along the way, then click on the link to the next stop and repeat until you reach #28, where you will input the full phrase as your entry to the grand prize drawing.
The hunt begins August 30, 2023, at noon EST and ends September 4, 2023, so you have plenty of time to visit each stop. If you need to step away and come back later, make a note of the last stop you visited, and go to this post with the list of all stops on the hunt.
If you are having trouble viewing the posts, you may need to switch browsers. Chrome and Firefox sometimes work better than Microsoft Explorer or Edge.
Are you ready to begin?
My name is Suzie Waltner, and I write contemporary romance that includes close families and friendships. I love getting lost in a good story and hope my readers feel like they can do that with my books.
My love of reading started the summer between second and third grade. You see, I wasn’t a little girl who devoured books when I was little. In fact, I struggled with reading. But, at the end of the school year, Mrs. Elder, my second-grade teacher, challenged me to read ten books over the summer. I took her up on that challenge and have considered myself a reader ever since.
That summer, I discovered how a book can transport me to another place or sweep me away in the emotions of a character. That summer a read a book called Nobody’s Fault? written by Patricia Hermes and found that a story can wring out my emotions yet make me want more.
I honestly can’t remember if I ever talked to Mrs. Elder about how my summer reading went, but I credit her with making me the reader (and now author) I am today.
To all you teachers out there, thank you for making a difference in your students’ lives. You may never know how your encouragement impacts a student but know that you are important and appreciated.
Here’s a little about the book I am giving away.
A series of heartbreaking setbacks behind her, Scarlett Sykes is now focused on creating the best life possible for her daughter. One where innocence and joy is not colored by rejection or loss. While finances are tight and Scarlett’s job isn’t ideal for a single mother, her child will always know she’s loved. Especially since Harmony’s father wanted nothing to do with them.
As lead singer and the face of a successful country band, Jake Turnquist’s closest friends depend on him, but life in the spotlight is quickly losing its appeal. At a party celebrating another accomplishment, he’s stunned to discover Scarlett assisting the caterer. Almost ten years have passed, but he’s never forgotten his first love.
In the hours after a surprise revelation, Jake scrambles to orchestrate a way to spend time with Scarlett and Harmony—the family he’s always wanted but never knew he had. He once gave her up to pursue his music. What will he have to surrender to win her back?
Add to your “want to read” list on Goodreads. Purchase your copy here.
Here is your first clue: “The best
Stop #2: Delores Topliff
Before You Go…
I’m giving one reader this fun set of bookish goodies that includes a 20 oz stainless steel tumbler, a bookish pair of socks, a “My weekend is all booked” tote bag, a cosmetic bag/pen and pencil pouch, and a metal bookmark.
Giveaway is open to US mailing addresses only (but if you are international and want to enter, I will send a $25 Amazon gift card to you) and ends at 11:59 PM EST on September 4, 2023.
Teachers make a difference in our lives or sure. I still remember my teacher from 1-3 grades. Beautiful soul!
Teachers are amazing people who aren’t recognized enough!
This looks like so much fun!
Thank you. I hope you are able to play along this weekend
Great prize and I’m happy to be doing the scavenger hunt again this year. Lots of awesome authors. I enjoy your books.
So glad you are joining us!!
Oh, I love teachers! I stayed friends with my 5rh grade teacher until my 30’s! Mrs. Snell, she went on to teach at the Nature Center! I love reading! She helped me be able to work in the school library due to my extraordinary reading level!
Teachers are special people!
Graduating and leaving that tiny town.
Oh, I was so glad to graduate and leave. High school is one time in my life I have no desire to return to!
I was homeschooled from Pre-K through high school graduation. I’m still not sure how my mom did it with all seven of us kids. 😀 One fun memory I have is when I was 6 and reading Clifford the Big Red Dog books to my younger brother.
Wow, homeschooling seven kids is a big commitment. And I love that you were learning as you were teaching your little brother!!
I am a semi-retired librarian working at All Saints Catholic School watching the kids in the mornings before school because I love the kids.
Thank you for working with kids!! I am sure you are a blessing to them.
One of my favorite school memories is from my time in kindergarten. We made homemade potato candy and sold it during our class time.
Fun!! That probably wouldn’t go over as well these days. Oh, for simpler times!
I still remember my 10th-grade history teacher who made history fun.
I wish my history teacher had made learning more fun, but at least I am still learning through historical fiction! 🙂
Watching the latest Disney movie in the auditorium.
fun!!
I taught first grade for 39 years.
Wow. Thank you for investing in children!!!
I always liked being with my friends, and I LOVED history!!
I was so not a fan of history class, but I loved English classes
When I was in 5th grade, a teacher told me I was one of her favorite students. Not in front of the others.
That kind of compliment definitely sticks with you, doesn’t it?
My five siblings and I were homeschooled. One of my favorite memories was starting our day playing a game of Skip-Bo before we started our lessons.
That’s a great memory. When I was a teenager, a family in our church taught us a card game called Nerts that we still play today whenever we all get together.
Your giveaway book sounds very good. Thank you for giving it away.
Thank you. I enjoyed writing that book (and the following three in the series!). I’m editing the last book right now. Ending a series is bittersweet.
My favorite school memory is going school shopping with my mother.
Ah, the joys of school shopping 🙂
I don’t remember much about school, but I do remember having some great teachers over the years. I also met my best friend when I was a sophomore and she was a freshman. We’re still best friends! 🙂
Thank you for a fun scavenger hunt & extra giveaway Suzie!!
Love that your still besties with a high school friend!!
I started my education in a K-6 tiny one room school. I was the only kindergartener.
Oh wow, I bet that was memorable!
I remember a lot of my teachers. One that holds a special spot in my heart was my speech teacher. She was the sweetest and kindest teacher and person.
Teachers sure make an impact on us, don’t they?
I had some very supportive teachers. I was in high school in the mid 70’s and girls were often dismissed as scientists. I eventually graduated from Veterinary school
So glad you had teachers that encouraged you to follow your dreams!!
in 5th grade we went to the pioneer village i loved it
I loved field trips!!
One of my favorite school memories is meeting my eventual husband in French class!
Well, that definitely makes French class worth going to 🙂
My late husband was a teacher, he loved it.
Amazing. Teachers are a special kind of person, aren’t they?
All of my teachers were amazing. Thank you for this amazing giveaway
I love teachers!! They sure make a life-long impact on us.
My science teacher made a big impact on me when I was young.
Love this!!! Did you go on to study more science?
My favourite school memory is meeting my best friend for the first time still friends after forty plus years.
Love this. I only keep in touch with my school friends via Facebook 🙂
I’m currently a high school counselor. I love postsecondary planning and helping students with the college application process. Each senior class is unique, and I love exploring their next steps with them.
What a fun and rewarding career. Thank you for giving to students.
I always loved book fairs!
The scholastic ones were the best, weren’t they?
I loved going BTS shopping with my grandma.
I still love grabbing office supplies during back to school sales!!
My favorite school memories were always shopping for new supplies and clothes
Always fun to get a few new outfits and supplies for a new school year.
I was an early reader and read beyond my grade level. I remember my first grade teacher having me read with other students one-on-one that were having a harder time catching on to sounding out words so that I could help them. I enjoyed it and it was good to feel helpful to her and my fellow classmates. My love of reading has never wavered.
Love this!! Your teacher saw you excel and encouraged you to share your talent with others.
I always enjoyed art projects and went on to major in art in college!
My sister is the artist in my family. I remember her often staying up late to finish her projects.
In 4th grade, I had a teacher who truly resembled Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. We acted out a play in class that our parents got to come watch. I always loved acting and still do.
Fun!! Teachers are amazing, aren’t they?
I remember my first grade teacher telling me she was proud of me for being the first kid in the class to finish all of the home readers for the year….I still have the little certificate she gave me with her signature & a “way to go” sticker on it!
Amazing!! Love that you saved that certificate.
buying supplies
yes!
I love these scavenger hunts, what a great way to find new authors. Thanks for participating/creating.
Thank you, Jan. I purposely sought out authors readers may not have heard about before. Glad you could join us!!
I loved my art class– so many fun projects! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Art projects were always a good excuse to get out of a little bit of study work in my eyes 🙂
A favorite school memory was the high school retreat we did during junior year.
How fun. I don’t think my high school every did any junior or senior trips (at least not that I was aware of)
I had the most amazing teacher during the 3rd grade she ended up moving up to 4th grade with me so I had her for 2 years. She loved animals & she used to bring in caterpillars, birds/eggs, hamsters, and fish for us to take home or watch in class. It was great! She was an amazing teacher!
I’m sure everyone was excited to have the amazing teacher for two years.
Thank you so much for doing this.
Thank you for joining us!
Yes, I had several teachers that encouraged reading and read to us. So blessed.
Great teachers are such a blessing!!
Some of my teachers became my greatest friends in adulthood.
I’ve got some great teachers in my group of friends, too
Thank you so much for the opportunity. God bless you.