2025 WINNERS of SANCTUARY'S 
10th ANNUAL BOOK GIVEAWAY​

The Sanctuary editors would like to thank
all authors, publishers and publicity companies who participated in our
10th Annual Book Giveaway.
​
Winners and books are randomly selected through mid-January.
Click book covers for excerpts or to find more information about the book.

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A huge THANK YOU goes out to our giveaway sponsor
Award-Winning Author and Caregiver Advocate
LISA BRAXTON!

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Deborah C. (a reader from FL) won Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness (She Writes Press) by Deb Miller. In this uplifting debut memoir, Deb Miller discards the myth of Prince Charming once she realizes he can’t get her to happily ever after. This empowering story challenges societal expectations for women and encourages readers to rewrite their happily ever after and be their own hero. Whether you're navigating single parenting, pursuing your own transformation, or simply craving an inspiring story of self-help and second chances, Forget the Fairy Tale is your permission slip to take control of your narrative — and find joy on your own terms.

Ricki A. (a reader from CT) won The Herbal Dog (Healing Arts Press) by Rita Hogan, C.H. In this comprehensive guide to holistic care for dogs, clinical canine herbalist Rita Hogan explains that by looking at dogs as individual ecosystems with unique personalities, physiology, and needs, we can select effective and personalized herbal remedies to support their constitutions and provide relief from many different ailments. Presenting safe, clinically proven, and effective protocols for common canine conditions — from acid reflux to allergies to itching, scratching, and yeast — Rita presents a wide variety of holistic and herbal remedies.

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Susan G. (a reader from NY) won Your Midlife Body Code (Aurora Corialis Publishing) by Claudine Francois. This guide helps you crack the code on what's really going on with your weight, energy, sleep, and mood so you can stop second-guessing yourself and finally feel like you again. Drawing from years of clinical work, functional lab testing, and her own midlife detour through exhaustion, stubborn weight, and feeling slightly insane, Claudine walks you step-by-step through a personalized, root-cause roadmap that actually works for women like you.

Karen L. (a reader from NY) won She Journeys (She Writes Press) by Sarah May. This memoir is a testament to the transformative power of healing. From darkness to light, from a marriage ended to a life reclaimed, we are reminded that it never matters how we begin. Only that we do. From wounds to wisdom, 'She' is every woman who must find her way from heartbreak to homecoming. The author shows how the undoing of her expectations left her on her knees, fighting for her life. When everything we “expect” crumbles like ash after a fire, how do we reconcile what was lost? One courageous step at a time.

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Kathleen Z. (a reader from CT) won Street Walker (EYESHOT) by Meryl Meisler. This book is a stunning exploration of social change, cultural diversity, and creative expression, from serene suburban curbs to the iconic nightlife of clubs. It's a vivid narrative of an era, capturing the essence of American life with humor, empathy, and a keen observational eye. Known for her ability to blend street photography with documentary, Meisler’s photography provides an intimate glimpse into the dynamic cultural landscape of late 20th-century America.

Charlene B. (a reader from NY) won Chocolate Cake is the Best Medicine (Aurora Corialis Publishing) by Maria Duthie. Life builds our resilience, shaping us through hardships we never imagined we could face. Maria Duthie had already met many challenges head-on. When a near-fatal equestrian accident almost left her paralyzed, she leaned on the strength forged through a lifetime of adversity. Maria focused forward, counting the days until she could ride again. Bolstered by her husband, friends, and the animals she holds dear, her comeback was powered by love, grit, and an unwavering spirit. Maria's story is one of perseverance, heart, and a deep love for animals, reminding us that even the darkest moments can lead to something bright.

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Kayla B. (a reader from TX) won From Perfectionist to Empowered (LPK Coaching Publishing) by Lindsay Pfister-Kerr. This guide offers a framework to help you manage stress, calm anxiety, and live a life of balance and purpose. Learn how to: discover effective techniques for managing stress and anxiety; build emotional resilience; live intentionally; enhance your self-awareness and practice self-compassion; develop tools to sustain personal growth and handle setbacks effectively. This book includes practical exercises and relatable anecdotes that will help you shift from overwhelm to intentional living, to live with greater purpose and confidence.

Cynthia G. (a reader from OR) won Wellness Reimagined (Forefront Books) by Erin Clifford. Forget the one-size-fits-all wellness plans. This book is about embracing wellness as an ever-evolving, deeply personal journey. The author invites you to take a break from the chaos of daily life to redefine what wellness truly means to you. Wellness isn’t just the absence of illness; it’s the presence of a vibrant, harmonious life that nurtures your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In this guide, Erin shares a holistic, flexible approach that integrates nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, mindful living, and intentional self-care. 

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Cloe S. (a reader from NY) won I Knew a man Who Knew Brahms (Regalo Press) by Nancy Shear. This memoir takes readers into the homes, studios, and minds of legendary artists with whom Shear shared close personal relationships, including Stokowski, Mstislav Rostropovich, Eugene Ormandy, and members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. A literary welcome mat to the beautiful world of classical music, this memoir is accessible and engaging for all. It brings readers into rehearsals and concert halls, revealing the choices musicians must consider, and what conductors, players, and composers really do.

B. Lynn G. (a reader from CA) won Living the Verb (Cyberwit.net) by Fay L. Loomis. This poetry chapbook is composed in an attractive lucid and spontaneous style. The poet has fully discarded affected, tawdry and wearisome expressions in these poems. The climax of the poet’s triumph in this poetry collection is reached in moments of such intensity that the reader is completely carried away. Fay's essay "Amour Toujours" was previously published in Sanctuary.

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Laura C. (a reader from NY) won Property of the Revolution (She Writes Press) by Ana Hebra Flaster. Ana Hebra Flaster was six years old when her working-class family was kicked out of their Havana barrio for opposing communism. Once devoted revolutionaries themselves but disillusioned by the Castro government’s repressive tactics, they fled to the US. This memoir celebrates the indomitable spirit and wisdom of the women warriors who led the family out of Cuba and shaped its rebirth as Cuban Americans.

Emily A. (a reader from MO) won Good in Theory (Aurora Corialis Publishing) by Cori Wamsley. This is a heartfelt and funny exploration of family, love, and the unexpected turns that shape our lives. “Good in Theory is a well-crafted, rollicking story filled with humor and romance. It is especially sure to please mystery-lovers, readers who appreciate a strong female protagonist, and anyone who laughs at science jokes," writes Ann K. Howley, author. Cori is an award-winning author of best friend stories with a side of romance.