How do you wrap an ebook? And Advent Calendar Day 2

I’ve been writing for a long time. My very first ever short story was written way back when – when I was at school  - and I was active in the Girl  Guides. I went in for my ‘Writer’ badge’  back then – I passed the test and got to sew the badge on my uniform sleeve. (I don’t think there is such a badge any more which is a pity.) Some month’s later I wrote another story – the title was Ghosts odf The Past – and I sent that up to  Guide magazine.  It was about a girl who went into an old deserted house and thought she had seen some ghosts who haunted it but they turned out to be a group from the local amateur drama group who were practising their current production, dressed in historical costumes. To my delight they published it in the magazine  and made it my first ever published piece of work.   That was the start of a long career as a writer – 2013 will see my 61^st new title (A Throne For The Taking)  published in June, 29 years  after my very first book The Chalk Line was published by Mills & Boon.  

One of the most interesting developments in my  long career has been the arrival – and huge success  - of ebooks and the way that now so many books are sold in this form.  I have a kindle and I love it. I can carry so many books around with me, with no trouble,  and I don’t have to worry about storage. But sometimes I do miss the reality of a ‘real’ book . I think I feel this now, with Christmas  coming close  and so many  family and friends asking ‘what would you like for Christmas ‘   or me asking the same question in reverse.  There are so many books I’d love to have to read, but not all of them are likely to ne ‘keepers’   the sort I’d like to have actual copies on my bookshelves.  My husband, friends have kindles too and I would love to gift them books – but how do you wrap an ebook? (I have to admit that on Christmas day a large proportion of the books under our tree are book-shaped. That’s because they are books – and that rectangular shape is so easy to wrap!).

Then there are the books that I’ve read recently  - and  would love to share with friends I now will love them.  There was  Pushing the Limits that I talked about last month, I know my son’s fiancée will enjoy that. Or  One Breath Away  a book that I know would grip my sister as it did me – but neither of these people have ebook readers  so I’d need to buy them a print copy so they could read it.

And then there are my own ‘oldies’ – the books I wrote  that  were published  ten or more years ago  and that have now been reissued as  part of the Harlequin  Treasury or Mills & Boon Vintage – I know several  people who would love to have copies of these to add to or even complete their Kate Walker collections but again the ebook form is tricky to give as a surprise  or even to put in a Christmas stocking!  I suppose I could give them a ‘voucher’ – ‘I promise to give you a copy of The Groom’s Revenge or Hers For a Night . . .'  But it isn’t quite the same is it?

So what do you do?  Do you  buy and wrap a print edition of  a book you know someone wants – or  download it for them on Christmas morning?  And if there’s something you want to read – would you rather have the Kindle edition – or a gift-wrapped  parcel  under the tree on Christmas morning?

Or perhaps there are  books that you don’t mind having two copies of – one as an ebook for convenience and one in print form for the pleasure of owning  the ‘real’ book?  I confess that I have some of those too – a complete collection of Dorothy Dunnett (her books are so bug they weigh a ton so reading is much   easier on my kindle) or Mary Stewart  where my print copies are treasured first editions.

If you’ve  visited my personal blog recently, you’ll  have seen that  from December 1^st I’m running my annual Advent Calendar giveaway – it’s a way of getting to know my lovely readers better. Every day I ask a question,  one for you to answer  in the comments section – and each day there is a special prize book give away – and old book or a newer one, a collection   . . .

Yesterday the prize on my blog was the 3 in 1 Collection Mediterranean  Tycoons – that’s still open if you want a chance to win.   And today’s prize is the 2008 title Bedded By The Greek Billionaire –

Taken for passion. . . or ruthless retribution?

As a naïve teenager, Jessica Marshall fell achingly in love with a gorgeous Greek – Angelos Rousakis.

But her clumsy attempt at attracting his attention cost Angelos everything.

Seven years later, Angelos Rousakis is back. Hard and powerful, he intends to claim what is his – and that includes Jessica. However the once innocent girl now pretends that she feels nothing for him. . . which only inflames his passion for her further. . .

As Jessica falls for the sexy billionaire all over again, she cannot be sure - Is he back for passion . . . or retribution?

This book was a Romantic Times Top Pick.

 So just tell me how you’ll be buying/reading books this Christmas and your name will go into the prize draw for Charlie the Maine  Coon to pick a winner (that's him at the top of this post getting ready to pick some winners  - when he's opened his own Advent Calendar for today!)  and you’re in with a chance of winning an extra Christmas gift from me.

Good luck!  - And come back and visit my blog everyday until Christmas Eve to have another chance at the Advent Calendar prizes. There will be a new one on offer every day!

And the winner is  - MARTHA!  Martha please email me - kate AT kate-walker dot com with your postal address and I'll put your copy of Bedded By The Greek Billionaire in the mail to you.
Everyone who didn't win - don't forget that the Advent Calendar giveaway continues over on my personal blog  from now until December 24th, with lots of books to give away.