Bookstores. New books. Amazon packages on my door step. These are just a
few of my favorite things. As November is rounding the bend and the holiday
swing will begin to dance its jig, I get to be excited about new books from
several of my favorite authors, but I must confess to a certain wicked delight I
take when I know a new In Death book is waiting in the wings. Next Tuesday, on
November 3rd, J.D.
Robb’s 30th In Death is released featuring homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas,
her mega-billionaire husband Roarke and their entire cast of characters.
Nora Roberts is an
extremely prolific writer and while I am a fan of several of her romances, I
have to admit, I am completely captivated by the In Death series. Part of the
affection is the cast of characters that populates these novels and fills out
all the nooks and crannies of Roarke and Eve’s lives. Part of it is journeying
with them into their happily ever after and honestly, part of it is the mystery
that unravels in each book.
Kindred in Death
I am such a fan of these books that I rarely, if ever actually read their
blurbs. But I swung by Amazon today to check out that my preorder was in place
(we have a Yule Rule in this house which I will get to in a moment) and two
things caught me off guard, the price and the blurb. First of all, the hardback
is just $9. The price wars are in full swing and Publishers Weekly was talking
about the pending lawsuits against Amazon, Wal-Mart and Target for price fixing,
but a hardback at $9 seems like such a steal. I have to wonder: will it really
hurt authors to have the price reduced?
As an author, I have to say I wince at the idea of a $25 book going for $9 right
off the back, that’s only a dollar more than the average paperback these days.
But as a fan and someone feeling the economic pinch myself, that $9 is a huge
gift! I was all set to pay $20, but to get it for $9 is a cheer worthy. So now,
of course, I have guilt going on. But we shall see.
The second big surprise was the full blurb that accompanied the book. I’m so
used to there just being a sentence or two that I don’t worry about it, but now
I have a blurb to savor over the next few days:
When the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD and his wife return a day early
from their vacation, they were looking forward to spending time with their
bright and vivacious sixteen-year-old daughter who had stayed behind.
Not even their worst nightmares could have prepared them for the crime scene
that awaited them instead. Brutally murdered in her bedroom, Deena's body showed
signs of trauma that horrified even the toughest of cops; including our own
Lieutenant Eve Dallas, who was specifically requested by the captain to investigate.
When the evidence starts to pile up, Dallas and her team think they are about to
arrest their perpetrator; little do they know yet that someone has gone to great
lengths to tease and taunt them by using a variety of identities. Overconfidence
can lead to careless mistakes. But for Dallas, one mistake might be all she
needs to bring justice.
So, six days and counting. I can’t wait for my brown paper package, tied up with
string!
The Yule Rule
For those of you who might be curious about the aforementioned Yule rule,
in our family we are not allowed to shop for ourselves after November 1st. There
are very few to no exceptions to this rule. This allows everyone plenty of time
to pick out presents for the holiday season, particularly because great
favorites like J.D.
Robb come out at this time of year. So how did I dodge the rule? I
pre-ordered the book back in April with a gift card I got for my birthday.
According to my husband, that’s stretching the rule mighty thin. But I’m good
with that. What rules do you observe around the holidays and what books are you
looking forward to?
A lifelong writer turned author,
Heather Long's first book
Remembering Ashby is
available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban
fantasy:
Prime Evil.
The
Daily Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics
that Heather enjoys.
I TRY not to buy for myself, but I always buy myself a Christmas and Birthday present. I feel guilty if I splurge on myself at this time of year. And there are LOTS of books I'm looking forward to!!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:48pm October 28, 2009)
My daughter reminded me that the last person I would spend money on is myself - unless it is a book! :>)
(Karin Tillotson 3:19pm October 28, 2009)
The only rule I have for the Holidays is, I buy for no one(in the extended family) over the age of eighteen. Of course, that does not include my son and his wife. I always buy books for me for my birthay and Christmas(they are only a week apart).I always pray that Christine Feehen, Iris Johansen, Sherilyn Kenyon and Julie Garwood have new books out.
(Patsy Hagen 3:59pm October 28, 2009)
My rule for these holidays is that I can't buy for anyone as my husband is laid off. Anything I may have that I can share with my family such as books I've read that they might like I package up and ship to them.
(Brenda Rupp 9:21pm November 12, 2009)
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