Dear readers, it is a time for gifts and giving. Elizabeth Barone has assembled a questionable posse of gift-giving authors, including myself. Take a look at what they have to offer. I received something unexpected, this Christmas season, and if you’ll read all the way to the end, I have something for you, too!
On the twelfth day of Christmas, early in the morning, a knock came at the door. Thinking it might be the UPS man bearing some last-minute holiday cheer, I belted on a bath robe, stuffed my feet into my fluffy owl slippers, and shuffled to crack open the door and let in the grey pre-dawn.
It was not the UPS man.
He stood there smoking, six and a half feet of tweed and cigarettes, glaring down at me through his spectacles as though I had done him a personal wrong. Come to think of it, I’ve done him a number of personal wrongs, but I can hardly be held accountable – that’s what authors do.
I glared right back at him. “Daniel Leland! Do you have any idea what time it is?”
“A time when all respectable people are up and out making their way in this world.”
There wasn’t much I could really say to that. “I’m sorry, did you want something?”
He shifted uncomfortably, expression turning mildly apologetic, and attached his cigarette to his lip so he could sort through his jacket pockets. “Actually, I, ah…”
“Oh, hell, there’s not someone after you, is there?”
“No, no, I, ah… I have something for you.”
He pulled out a small, thin book in a clear plastic sleeve. The cover showed a man in red rising from a chair to light a lamp amid the words A Study in Scarlet. Beeton’s Christmas Annual, 1887. I knew better than to suppose it was a reproduction.
“Daniel? You got me a Christmas present?”
He blinked, momentarily confused, then nodded a bit too hurriedly. “Well, naturally, Miss Graham. I do owe you quite a lot, don’t I?”
“It’s actually a bribe, isn’t it?”
“Possibly. But your suggestion gets me more points, doesn’t it? Happy Christmas. Do try not to torment me quite as much this next year, would you?”
I snorted into my sleeve and stood aside. “Come on in. I’ll make tea.”
He treated me to one of his rare smiles and ducked inside.
Interested in winning ecopies of The Books of Lost Knowledge?
I’m giving away two complete sets: In the Shadow of the Mountains, The Wailing and the newest book, The Medium.
Here’s how to win:
1) Sign up here for my mailing list to receive (very, very occasional) information about events, new releases, special offers, and freebies.
2) Like my page on Facebook OR follow me on Twitter OR become a fan on Goodreads.
3) Leave a comment on this post – anything you like – so I can verify your email address. Your email address will not be made public.
4) Two winners will be randomly selected on 31 December and notified via email shortly thereafter.
Bear in mind that you don’t have to have an ereader to read an ebook. If you don’t have an ereader, I can show you what programs to use to read on your computer.
Happy Christmas!
Aw, he was so awkward! 🙂
Thanks for participating, lovely! This was fun.
He is terribly awkward, but don’t tell him that; the poor dear thinks he’s smooth.
Thanks for inviting me! I’ve had a blast reading all the posts. 🙂
New to your work would love to win a few copy to read.
Oh, fantastic! Always pleased to meet new readers. Good luck!
Happy Christmas MR – I’d LOVE for Daniel Leland to show up at my door for tea! Wait, there’s the door now…gotta go!
Happy Christmas, Judith. Be careful who you invite into your home. I know a certain old gentleman who will clean everything you own. Violently. 😉
Thank yo MR – I will be careful. It was only UPS delivering a parcel. Still no sign of The Medium in paperback at Amazon.ca…but I will wait patiently. I have a spot for it on my bookshelves next to your other books!! And I would still have a pot of tea with Daniel LOL 😛
I’d love to actually win this set.