One of the things I love about the Holiday season is its many and varied traditions. I love the whole idea of renewing acquaintance with my ornaments or attending the Village tree lighting ceremony on the Old Bridge or going to the Village carol service. I also enjoy attending the various productions that my children are involved at this time of year.One of the great things about the growing cyber space romance community is that I am discovering a bunch of new traditions. From the Writer's Vineyard two month long celebration of Holiday romance books with books extracts to Cheryl St John's Christmas Tree Tour with its many trees garnered from the homes of romance authors and readers alike. The photo at the left is of last year's tree as the painters are still glossing in the sun room. But when this year's tree goes up, I will send my photo in but for now I get a peak at other people's trees.
Donna Alward ahs started a new tradition -- the 12 Days of Christmas where she is looking at 12 different authors and giving away a packet of books. The stories are helping to put me in the holiday even when facedwith exploding light bulbs in the hallway (the electricians are trying to sort but a greenish glow and a popping noise does not bring the holiday spirit!)
Also The Harlequin Historical 15 Christmas yummy treats are making me want to cook despite the house being a mess from the painters!
But my biggest cyber treat is the E-harlequin Open House11 Decemeber. From humble beginnings 7 years ago, the Open House now boast of all day message board (one for each line where the authors are scattered across the time zones) and several live chats. Over a hundred authors are expected to attend and many have donated books and other goodies as posting prizes. It is quite an event and one I make sure that I do not miss.
Does anyone else have cyber holiday traditions?
An early Christmas present for me has been seeing Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife get a book widget. Now, the authors ofthe Passion line are probably used to them but Historical as a general rule of thumb does not have a book widget.
y">The book wideget means that anyone in cyber space can read the front few pages, the first chapter and the last few ending pages (the advertising pages) and in VWUW, this means they have put my historical note about marriage and divorce in Viking times in. As I mostly buy my books based on the blurb, the teaser and the first few pages, I am truly thrilled with this new development .
For my contest this month please send the answer to the following question: What are the names of the hero and heroine of Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife? to michelle@michellestyles.co.uk. If you can please put December Totebag contest in the subject line as I do get a lot of spam. The winner will get their choice of one of my books including VWUW. I will do the draw on 13 December.
I hope everyone has a truly marvellous holiday season...
all the best,
Michelle Styles
UPDATE: KIMBERLEY COOVER'S NAME WAS DRAWN AND SHE HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
