It’s release day for CHRISTMAS BRIDES!
Huzzah, huzzah! I am so very excited!
And, I'm so very, very sorry!
Yes, that’s right—my delight comes with reservations, because this means that the Christmas book season is now officially open. Which is why I am sorry. Because I’m not ready for it to be the Christmas Season, either. I’m not even ready for it to be Halloween, much less Thanksgiving or the Yule!
So to assuage my guilt over having to force the holidays upon you, and to get into the proper spirit of the season, I am giving away five (5) copies of CHRISTMAS BRIDES, the marvelous anthology of four Christmas stories from historical romance authors Suzanne Enoch, Alexandra Hawkins, Valerie Bowman and me!
My contribution to this collection is THE SCANDAL BEFORE CHRISTMAS, which came out as a digital-only release last December. So those of you who have waited patiently for the print version, now is your chance to read this charming story set in the Regency era countryside:
Lieutenant Ian Worth needs a wife by Christmas. He has to find her, woo her, and wed her before he goes back to sea. Anne Lesley is a shy spinster with no prospects, so she accepts Ian’s hasty offer only for the security it will bring. But when a midwinter storm rolls in, things start to heat up between them…and they might just find the last present they expected: true, honest-to-goodness love…
So now that we are thinking of Christmas presents, what is the best Christmas Present you ever got? (For me it would be the horseback riding lessons I got the year I was in 5th grade. Oh the joy!) Or what would be the one present that you want, but really don’t expect to get this year (Like a kiss from Daniel Craig.) :)
Winners will be chosen by random from all comments made on Wednesday at 6pm CST. Be sure to check back to see if you’ve won.
46 comments:
I would like a month's vacation in Rome, Italy as my Christmas present. If that's not possible, then a gift card to buy books. I ask for a gift card every year and never get one.
I got sisters for Christmas! One sister was born on Christmas day when I was 5 and another sister was born on Dec. 23 when I was nine. They were great presents!
The best Christmas I ever got was a cat: all white, pale green eyes, and partially deaf. He was the most loving, gentle, beautiful creature, and I loved him fiercely for every day of his life. I miss him.
I would love to get an Amazon gift card or a trip to Aruba! I won't get either though because hubby and I don't buy gifts for each other! A girl can dream though! Lol! Can't wait to read this book!
I'm not ready for Christmas yet either but I am looking forward to this book!
My favorite present is my youngest brother who was born Christmas morning. At least, he was my favorite once I got over the embarrassment of being a college student with a pregnant mother. LOL!
I sure wouldn't mind Santa bringing me a trip to Scotland, especially after following along on Elizabeth's recent trip through those gorgeous photos!
Hi, sweetie and congratulations! My best present was a trip to Paris and a Walther. lolol
I've started making Christmas gifts now. Have to because it will be here before we know it.
My favorite Christmas gift was a bracelet from Bradford Exchange from my Grandma. It is so pretty. I will cherish it forever.
Elizabeth,
Oh, a trip to Rome!!! That would be soooooo fantastic. But until that fantasy comes, I think you're better off with a stack of books set in Rome. (Oh, I feel a re-screening of Roman Holiday coming on...)
Wishing you the best of luck the the drawing so I'll know you get at least one book for Christmas this year.
Thanks for stopping by to chat. Cheers, EE
Betty,
What a wonderful family memory, although I can't imagine what your mom went through to get ready for the holiday and a new baby, not once but TWICE!!! I raise my glass of holiday 'cheer' to her in admiration.
Hope you get what you want this year, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE
Oh, Mod 2011,
What a lovely picture you paint with your description of him. Our companions certainly make every day a holiday, don't they? My own kindred spirit, Tilly, is into her 14th year and each day is a bittersweet joy knowing she won't be with us forever.
Here's hoping you find just as much comfort and joy in a new animal this year. And best of luck int he drawing. Cheers, EE
Kimberly,
I generally help the Indispensable Mr. Essex along with his gifts to me. It's just better for everyone that way.
Here's hoping you can win this book as a present to yourself! Best of luck in the drawing and thanks for stopping in to chat. Cheers, EE
PJ,
Goodness, that's the second "sibling for Christmas' story in the comment thread! Your poor mothers!
I hope the book will get you into the Christmas spirit, so the jolt of having to make yourself ready for the advertising bombardment of the season isn't too hard to take. :)
Thanks so very much for stopping by to chat with me this morning. Cheers, EE
Isn't it amazing how the year has flown by? I'd love an ebook reader for xmas. Loaded with books from my fav authors would be rather awesome too!
Vicki,
I like the juxtaposition of the glamour of a trip to Paris with the cold hard steel of the handgun.
Interestingly enough, I think the Indispensable Mr. Essex is planning on getting me a new shotgun for shooting clays for Christmas. My trip to Scotland revived my interest and passion for the sport. However unromantic it may seem, I will have my fingers crossed that I open a Silver Pigeon on Christmas Day. :)
Always lovely to chat with you. Cheers, EE
Oh, Kimberly, I hope you still have that bracelet and can wear it each Christmas in her memory. :) I have a marvelous charm bracelet that was started by one of my favorite aunts as a Christmas present back in 1967. I think of her, and say a little prayer of gratitude for her love, every time I wear it.
Here's wishing you best of luck in the drawing so your Christmas can get off to a nice start. Cheers, EE
Linda,
And ebook reader would be the PERFECT gift! MR. Essex got me an iPad for reading books two Christmases ago, and it's nearly as indispensable as he is now! :)
Here's wishing you the best of luck in the drawing so you can start the holiday season off with some reading. :) Cheers, EE
One of my favorite presents was a Bible book cover that had pockets and handles, which enabled me to carry it, a pen, and my weekly BSF lesson, easily and securely. Although I like the style (victorian-style needlepoint instead of something flashy or modern), it was feeling that the giver actually knew me and what I valued that made it welcome then makes me cherish it still.
Good afternoon, Ms. Essex
For those who haven't read this story, it is fabulous, wonderful, and such an uplifting tale for the holiday season. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The one gift I'd like for Christmas is nearly impossible: Time! There never seems to be time for anything, plus I'd like just a few days off to enjoy everything and everybody. Although a vacation would be nice, too. I was thinking about it and I haven't taken a vacation away since 1990. Argh! Twenty-four years is way to long.
Hey Liz,
For Christmas this year, I want to go to Ireland. Good luck with the new book and I can't wait to read it. Let me be the first to wish you Merry Christmas!
The best gift I got was a $40 gift card for books I loved it. I love the Christmas romances that come out this time of year, I can't wait to read this.
Penney
I'm always excited when Christmas Book Season arrives!
Neva,
What a lovely present. And how inordinately lovely that you have, and cherish, it still.
And you have described the real pleasure in getting such a gift—the pleasure of being known. Of being understood. What bliss.
Hoping you have the pleasure of your bible cover for many years to come. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers, EE
Oh, Kathy, I think you have hit upon what we all crave more than anything else—time. More time to do my work. More time to sleep at night. More time to meet my deadlines.
Oh, well. In the mean time, I most heartily recommend that you treat yourself to a vacation. Life is too short not to smell the roses, as they say. I can put in a recommendation for Scotland. ;)
Thanks so much for stopping by to chat this afternoon. Cheers, EE
Sylvia,
Are you following Nora Roberts on FB—she's on vacation in Ireland right now and posting some wonderful photos. Today's was with a hawk! I'm sure she won't mind if you take a little vicarious trip with her. :)
Hoping your holidays are merry and bright. Cheers, EE
Penney,
I'm so glad to find fans of the holiday romance genre—even though I wasn't aware that such a thing existed until last year, when I first wrote this story. :)
Here's hoping your Christmas stocking is filled with gift cards for books, and even a book or two itself. Best of luck int he drawing. Cheers, EE
Angela,
Well, judging by the number of different Christmas Titles already out, I think your Holiday book season is officially open, :)
Wishing you happy reading, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE
oh heavens I guess my best present was the year I got the black lab mix puppy we named her Ivy. That was definitely a hoot. Much to my mother's chagrin.
As for my unlikely gift- to wake up ten pounds lighter - :)
So glad to see this book in print miss essex I remember eagerly reading this wonderful story at every red light because I couldn't wait to finish !
My favorite present would have to be my tablet computer. It's made reading so much more convenient! Love it
Chris,
You are so kind. I loved writing this story, and I always hope that readers love it too. I am very glad to see it in print as well. This means that my family will buy it. :)
But a puppy!!!! I would love a Christmas puppy, and I am beginning to lean towards sporting dogs like labs. Must be my renewed enthusiasm for shooting clays, revived when I was in Scotland. :)
Thanks so much for stopping by to chat today. Cheers, EE
My husband planned a return trip to Disney for our family. He took care of the flight and the hotel reservations. He bought my daughter and I t-shirts and wrapped them up and put them under the tree with the tickets and hotel information.My daughter and I were thrilled! We had a wonderful family vacation! And we still talk about how much fun we had!
k. Michelson,
I that is a fantastic gift. The Indispensable Mr. Esssex and the sprigs gave me a tablet two years ago, and I promptly gave myself an even greater present by loading it up with historical romances. :)
Wishing you loads of books to read this holiday season, and lots of uninterrupted time to read them. :) Good luck in the drawing and thanks for stopping in to chat. Cheers, EE
Susan,
That is absolutely the best—that would be a dream come true for me. Usually I am the one who plans and books and takes care of all the details. Kudos to your Mr. for such a brilliant plan and execution of it. I hope you took lots of pics to look back upon fondly.
Wishing you a return to such a great present. Best of luck in the drawing and thanks so much for stopping in to chat today here at the PPs. Cheers, EE
When Amazon had just released the second generation Kindles, my group of friends joined forces to buy me one. I bring it everywhere with me!
Congrats Elizabeth on the new book! It not only sounds fabulous but looks gorgeous too! Can't wait to read it and it'll put me in the holiday spirits early. Since we're chatting about presents, I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner. I need a new (or not so new) car but I don't think Santa is that generous this year!!
I DON'T RECALL ANY SPECIAL GIFTS WHAT I DO RECALL ARE THE MEMORIES OF HELPING MY MOM WRAP THE GIFTS AND WATCHING MY DAD PUT TOGETHER BIKES...SETTING UP THE TREE...AND MAKING TAMALES SO THAT THEY WOULD BE READY FOR BREAKFAST...WITH MY HUSBAND HARRY OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS HE PURCHASED A DOZEN RED ROSES FOR ME...I WAS A FLORAL DESIGNER AT THE TIME AND I KNEW HOW EXPENSIVE THEY WERE...I SAID NEVER PURCHASE FLOWERS FOR ME BUY THE PLANTS, SO THE NEXT CHRISTMAS I WAS GIFTED WITH A WHITE ROSE BUSH.
Oh I love Christmas romances!! Can't wait to read this one. For me, I'd love to get a tablet and finally join the tech friendly people of the world LOL
Julie,
What a marvelous group of friends! They are definitely another gift to you. :)
Here's hoping you can fill up that Kindle with great holiday books. Wishing you best of luck int he drawing. Thanks so much for stopping by. Cheers, EE
Anita,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you have plenty of time to read this holiday season.
And a new car. Sigh. I think that is almost everyone's holiday fantasy—the new car with the big red bow sitting in the driveway. :) It's never happened for me, either, and I don't expect it ever will. I'll have to be content with the scarf I bought myself while in London. :)
Thanks so much for stopping by to chat this evening. Best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE
Juanita,
Your husband's gift, however thoroughly romantic, brings to mind the phrase, "coals to Newcastle." But I LOVE the idea of the white rose bush. That is a deeply romantic and lovely present that will last the test of time. Kudos to your Harry!
Thanks so much for stopping by to chat, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE
Ada,
A tablet is a marvelous gift for a reader, isn't it? But I have to confess, I only got one two years ago, when the Indispensable Mr. Essex got me an iPad. I have loaded it up with romance novels and adore that I always have the world of romance (and the rest of the world as well) at my fingertips.
Here's hoping you get what you want, and in the meantime, best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE
It would have to be a train set. A very cool gift to give a little girl. I obviously had forward thinking parents.
Mary,
That is a spectacular present for a little girl. And what a gift your parents were to you to see that's what you wanted. (I make a deeply respectful Regency curtsy in their direction.)
And I will bet that as a result of having such 'forward-thinking' and insightful parents, that you are a very thoughtful gift giver yourself.
Wishing you best of luck in the drawing (which is about to happen) and thanks so much for stopping by to chat! Cheers, EE
And we have our WINNER!
The following names were drawn randomly to win one copy each of CHRISTMAS BRIDES:
Ada
K. Michelsen
PJ Ausdenmore
Betty Hamilton
penney
Please email me at: elizabeth (@) elizabethessex (dot) com. (Take all the spaces and parenthesis out when you input the address!)
Send me your preferred mailing address and I'll send the books off.
Congrats, and thanks to all for stopping by to chat.
Cheers, EE
And we have our WINNER!
The following names were drawn randomly to win one copy each of CHRISTMAS BRIDES:
Ada
K. Michelsen
PJ Ausdenmore
Betty Hamilton
penney
Please email me at: elizabeth (@) elizabethessex (dot) com. (Take all the spaces and parenthesis out when you input the address!)
Send me your preferred mailing address and I'll send the books off.
Congrats, and thanks to all for stopping by to chat.
Cheers, EE
Thank you Elizabeth I just sent you my information. I'm so excited. thank you
Penney
Yay!! So happy to win! Congrats to the other winners :) Sent my email to you, Elizabeth :D
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