It's Christmas in July IV {A Giveaway}

Just as we come off a terrible heat wave in my corner of the world, I'm thinking wintry thoughts for my 4th annual Christmas in July book giveaway. Christmas is only five months away and Hanukkah bit less than that, beginning at sundown on December 20th this year. Has anyone given these December holidays a thought yet? I know I haven't! Winter feels so far away right now, especially after a week of temperatures soaring into the 100s every day last week, plus I can't seem to think about any other long term plans until after my triathlon in September. Crazy, I know. I've become a little anxious, preoccupied, etc. with training and mentally preparing for the race and admit it consumes a lot of my thoughts these days. Next week I'm going to a workshop given by sports psychologist for "Managing Triathlon Performance Anxiety," compliments of the tri-women group to which I belong. I think I really need this workshop! lol!  ;)

Traditionally, I give away gently used books from my shelf to celebrate Christmas in July and I plan to do the same this year, with a few extras to sweeten the deal as well as an option for a different prize.  One randomly selected winner will win their choice of the following prizes:

The Cozy Prize: [US only]
A gently used book of their choice from my gift shelf,
A small jar of my homemade strawberry jam,
A homemade beaded book thong in the color scheme of your choice,
and a few extra goodies like author swag and a bonus book of my choosing.

OR

The Glossy Prize: [US or international]
A shiny new mass market paperback of your choice, shipped to you via TheBookDepository.

To see what books I'm offering for the cozy prize, please visit my gift shelf. I suggest the following favorites, but of course it's winner's choice:

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb, the first in the very popular futuristic In Death crime fiction series. This copy is actually a well worn copy since I bought it used and have read it a few times. Don't worry, I'm not giving away my only copy! I'm keeping my autographed copy that friends gave me.

Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas. This is the first book in Ms. Kleypas' Travis Family contemporary romance series and an all time favorite of mine. I have an extra paperback copy on my gift shelf. I have a hard cover copy on my shelf, autographed by Ms. Kleypas. :)

Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas. This is the second book in the Travis Family series and a very special book to me. I have an extra hardcover copy to giveaway. It can be read as a stand alone.

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment in this post telling me your favorite holiday themed book, whether it be a book from your childhood, a cherished holiday cookbook, a romance, mystery, anything holiday-themed!

I have very few objects from my childhood in my possession, but one item I do have is my favorite Christmas book-- a brightly colored children's book version of The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore that's probably now considered vintage. Yes, I'm that old. ;p The edges are worn, the staples holding the pages together are rusted, and there's even a scribble of crayon on the cover, but it is a rare treasured keepsake from some happy times of my early childhood. I still remember having the story read to me on Christmas Eve, leaving butterflies in my stomach anticipating the arrival of Santa while I slept. It's a happy thought.

This Christmas in July Giveaway is open everyone, although international winners can only receive The Glossy Prize.

Giveaway ends on July 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST, at which time I'll use random.org to select the winner. Winner will be announced in a separate post.

Winners have one week to claim their prize, after which a new winner will be selected.

Good luck! :)





If you want more Christmas in July spirit, head over to Deanna's blog, Paperback Dreamer. She's dedicated the entire month of July to Christmas with holiday book and movie reviews plus giveaways. There's still an open giveaway going on right now. So go check it out!