Christmas in July

Welcome to this stop on the Christmas in July Blog Hop. I live in Southern New Mexico and at this time of year, I’m longing for a break from the heat. Of course, presents are welcome any time of the year! I’m giving away a special prize package of vampiric delights. I’ll tell you what they are and how to enter at the end of the post. If you leave a comment with your Christmas in July wish, you’ll be entered to win one of two special prizes from the Blog Hop sponsors. Be sure to include your email address so Books to Go Now can contact you if you win! The two prizes are:

First Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon Gift Card.
Second Grand Prize: A $25 Amazon Gift Card.

Giving a present is a simple and touching way to show how much you care for someone you love. In my novel Dragon’s Fall: Rise of the Scarlet Order, the vampire Lord Draco destroyed one of the holiest of books and tries to redeem himself by seeking lost knowledge. He falls in love with the vampire Alexandra who prizes freedom above all else. In this scene set in the year 1067, we see how Alexandra shows her true feelings for Draco.

---

I was out for a walk along the ramparts of my castle in February 1067. The air was cold and brisk, and the wind blew, making me feel alive. The sky above was clear and dotted with more stars than I could count. I treasured these long nights of winter because I had time to take a leisurely walk, hunt when I needed to, and yet could settle in my library for long periods.

As I strolled along the ramparts, I heard the sound of hooves
clopping against rocks and wood creaking. Someone was driving a
wagon to my door. Every now and again, a traveler would stop by, seeking shelter. I would oblige them. Little did they know, I often took some blood in exchange – it saved me the trouble of going out to hunt. The next day, they would go away, complaining of a sore neck or thigh, but generally, grateful for a night’s rest that did not require precautions against bandits.

When the wagon cleared the tree line, I was surprised to see that it was driven by a woman, not a man. She drove the wagon with an air of confidence, and I took note of her long, black hair, pale-olive skin, and full, rounded breasts – apparent even with the coat she wore. I smiled and nodded, glad to see Alexandra again.

I met her at the castle’s gate. “Few manage to get a wagon up this road.”

“Few is not the same as none.” Alexandra wore a sly grin. “If the occasional human can manage it, I certainly can.”

“It is a delight to see you again.” I took her in my arms. We kissed and my tongue delighted in the taste of her. We parted after a delicious moment. “What prompted you to drive all the way up here?”

She stepped over to the wagon and threw back the canvas tarp
that covered a cargo of scrolls and books.

“You’ve been busy.” I picked one of them up and scanned it,
then looked up at the two horses that pulled the wagon. “Those are strong horses to bring this much paper up the steep trail to the castle.”

“They’re expensive, and I stole them just so I could bring these books to you.”

“Alexandra, I do believe I love you,” I declared.

---

Of course, who could resist a wagon-load of books? This certainly would be my Christmas in July wish, especially if I had all the time a vampire possessed to read such a collection!

Although I can’t quite give you a wagon-load of books, I can send you some great summer reading. I have assembled a prize package that includes the following:

• A copy of Blood Sampler, which is a collection of short vampire fiction by Lee Clark Zumpe and myself.
• Issue 13 of Hungur magazine, which features my story “Luftgeist.” Learn what Draco was doing aboard the Hindenburg during it’s fateful last flight.
• Issue 66 of Cemetery Dance, which features my story “The Vrykolakas and the Cobbler’s Wife”, a bittersweet tale of vampires and lost loves set in early 20th century Greece.

This entire package is a $20 value. Just click the Rafflecopter link to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget to tell me your Christmas in July wish and leave your email address so you can be entered to win the grand prizes!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to view this Linky Tools list and visit other stops on the Blog Hop…