Luck of the Draw

We had our monthly chapter meeting yesterday and as usual we did our monthly book draw. As a service to our published authors, we purchase two copies of their books, raffle them off in a draw, and the winners have a month to read the book and provide on-line reviews. All part of our generating buzz for the published authors in our chapter.

Up for grabs this month -- two copies of Deb Hale's Bride Ship (in stores now!) and a donated galley from Julianne MacLean for her soon to be released, Portrait of a Lover (read an excerpt at www.juliannemaclean.com).

Being a big fan of both, I tossed my name into the draw and crossed my fingers. The first draw for one of Deb's books goes to someone else. The second name is drawn. Again, not me. Then Julianne sticks her hand in the bag. Oh please oh please oh please...

And the winner is....YIPPEE!!! It's me! I get to read Portrait of a Lover before it hits the shelves on February 28th! Woo hoo!! I would have jumped up and done my little dance of joy, but I didn't want to rub it in the faces of the other members. That would have just been rude. But I may have wiggled in my seat somewhat.

So I'm very excited. Romantic Times Bookclub have named it their Top Pick and it received a 4 ½ star rating, which having read all of Julianne's other books, I know is well deserved. I can't wait to read this!