A to Z: Z and Writerly Wednesday (Including free stuff)

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

hang, Lili. I'm always inspired by someone who would put the welfare of others before themselves. In May, 2012, this woman risked her life by shoving her students out of the way of an oncoming bus, but in the process, she couldn't save herself. Her legs ended up under the wheels of the bus.

Zhang Lili was already greatly loved by students and staff alike at the school where she taught, but on this occasion she showed her true character. The accident resulted in losing both her legs and being in a coma for a time. After several months of rehabilitation, she was able to go home, and now faces life without use of those limbs.

We talk about being willing to give our lives for others, but would you be willing to give your legs? I don't think those thoughts flashed through her mind when Lili saw those kids in danger's way. She simply acted, and revealed her true character.

I would hope, in a similar circumstance, I'd be just as quick to act, and just as selfless. I can't imagine how this woman faces each day and challenge, but I imagine she never looks down and wishes she hadn't acted.

Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, the lovely Ashley Nixon shared CUTLASS with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win her awesome new book.

Ashley's game:

1. Ashley memorized all the lines to The Two Towers after watching the movie for about 30 days straight.

2. She has a really weird scar on her neck that looks like she was stabbed by a fork...or bitten by a vampire.

3. When she was little, she had an imaginary friend monster named Petie.

And the lie is: 

#3. Ashley's FRIEND had the imaginary monster affectionately named Petie. 

This one was tricky and in fact, only 3 people guessed it right. Way to guess Jennifer Chandler, Liz Blocker and Chrys Fey! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Chrys Fey!

Congrats Chrys! And to the rest of you, YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN VIA RAFFLECOPTER!!!

And now to today's defying feature:

The residents of Impervious are the remnant—survivors of the War of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in its corners haunting the residents with its presence. The Beast—a mysterious and terminal illness--has killed off most of Generations One, Two and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death becomes a cultural rage.

But Fran is counter-cultural. And living off the grid in true rebel fashion, her life is far from opulent. Scurrying through dark tunnels, searching for hot meals and ditching the holographic security team encompass most of her day. However, she views it as a healthy trade-off. Unaccountability means The Council can’t steal her sliver of hope--a belief that she’ll see The Epoch arrive before the beast can pull her into its fetid embrace.

After losing her mother and then her Rebel mentor, however, she grasps painfully onto the splintered sliver, until a new hope is born. First through Pete. And then through a miraculous discovery.

But the question still haunts her… Can she outrun The Beast?

Pick up your copy HERE.

Let me introduce you to the amazing author: 

Heather Letto—mom of two strapping young men and the wife of a brilliant computer programmer—is a follower of Christ and worker in the kingdom. She’s active in her home church, The Chapel, a non-denominational, multi-site Christ centered church which spans several counties in the Chicago suburban area, and has a long history of freelance writing projects beginning in the early 1990’s. Her first published articles appeared when she worked as a Stringer for the Daily Herald, a daily newspaper covering the Chicago-suburban area. Since then, she’s penned articles for The Fit Christian, WHOAwoman Magazine, Devotion Magazine as well as Tween Girls and God. As well she writes curriculum for the Swagga4Christ ministry.

When asked her favorite cheese, she responded: Burnt. I'll pick off (and snack on) freshly burnt cheese from just about any clean surface. :D

Yes! I was given the opportunity to review this wonderful book, and you can read my thoughts HERE.

Heather gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for a chance to win a signed ARC of IMPERVIOUS. You have until Tuesday, May 6, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on May 7.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Heather has abnormally large feet and is afraid to get pedicures because women will laugh at her in their native tongue.
2. As a preschooler, she was the self-appointed guard of their front yard. She yelled at the mailman to, "Get off my property!" He told on her. A lot. She got spanked. A lot.

3. Her cat's name is Charlie... 'cuz he bit her finger.

Which is the lie? Have you ever seen an act of true valor? Do you have any scars you live with as the result of a good decision? What would you be willing to sacrifice for another person?