I opened the missive with fear and more than a little trepidation. After all, it isn’t often you get a letter with bold, beautiful script and sealing wax on the back. From an admiral in the Royal Navy! EEEP!
Have you ever broken the seal on a letter like that? Talk about ominous. And a bit incongruous, if you ask me. I mean, there I was sitting on my bed, holding my laptop, with the desert winds blasting my windows when it arrived.
But, break it I did. I mean, it’s not like a letter from Hogwarts. It won’t just keep arriving until I open it. So, without fictional owls to pester me to do it, I just had to open it.
Know what I found?
It was from Admiral Patrick McGillvary. Double Eeeep! Okay, so McGillvary is one of my top Regency heroes.
Don’t believe me?
Um, he made me care what happened to Elizabeth Elliot—daughter of Jane Austen’s obnoxious Sir Walter Elliot. Any man who can make me care what happens to a twit like that deserves accolades. And he got them from me (albeit in a more roundabout way). HERE.
So why is this fellow writing me after all these years? Why surface now? Well, it is almost Valentine’s Day, and lovely things do happen around this time, don’t they?
What did he say? Here. Read it for yourself.
A note from Admiral McGillvary:
My Dear Reader,
A lonely sailor, far from home, suffers agonies on Valentine’s Day. He is away from his lady love, and is surrounded by rough fellows and a restless sea. In such a despairing state he might compose a love letter – which he is too bashful to post — or else he sings mournful songs or immerses himself in his work, all while cursing his solitary state.
In other words, he makes a confounded nuisance of himself.
My solution is to hand the suffering sailor a book. Yes, a sentimental and romantic book. There are times when fictional escape is the best balm for a lonely heart.
Have you a man of your own, my dear? True-hearted, valiant, and brave? Romantic fiction will do you no harm. A hero such as I cannot be a threat. What you love and admire in your own man you will enjoy seeing in me, although perhaps I look rather better in the uniform.
If you have no man, within the pages of my book I can be yours! Dangerous? Not at all, my heart. You see, romantic fiction offers not only entertainment for the lonely, but also protection—provided the lead is not a scoundrel. Good men do exist, and reading about one nourishes hope.
Now scoundrels, these you will find aplenty in Men Seeking Women advertisements in your newspaper.
Craigslist, I am told, is a treasure-trove of liars. And because it costs a man nothing to advertise himself there, you know at once that he is also a tightwad! And what does he say he enjoys? Long walks on the beach, intimate suppers, and trips to the theatre? Not on your life! This is fiction of the most dangerous sort, because you know what precisely what the man is after.
You do far better to entrust yourself to a fictional hero like me, rather than a real-life loser. I might break your heart, but only because my book comes to an end – and then you can read it again! And I shan’t trouble your virtue or pollute your ears with bad language. Or leave you with an empty bank account.
So what do you say? Will you join me in a fictional adventure? You need only to download my book.
Most sincerely yours for Valentine’s Day,
Admiral Patrick McGillvary, RN
Interesting, right? I kind of couldn’t believe it. I mean, if what he didn’t say is what he was trying to say, then the book is FREE! So off I went to see. And lookie here:
IT IS FREE! The first book in this awesome series is FREE! McGillvary wasn’t just taunting me to spend more money. Nooo… he sent a GIFT! A free book! Squee!!!
Note: Links may be affiliate links–they give me a small commission, but at no extra expense to you!
Then I looked closer. It’s what I do.
Check it OUT! The entire series. The WHOLE THING. All three books. For less than four bucks! Yep, for less than an overpriced cup of designer coffee… BOOM! Something you can enjoy over and over! 3.98 on Amazon.
Yeah. I was speechless.
And like the Miramax version of Miss Bates, I still can’t stop talking about it. I mean, forget the love letter! Gimme the books, people!
So I emailed Ms. Hile. I thanked her. Told her how grateful I was for it. And then she dropped the best bomb of all on me. Oh yes, there ARE good bombs. I just got one.
She wrote back:
For your blog followers, I’d like to offer both 2 and 3 as a prize to a winner of your choice. Everybody will be able to download the first book for free.
And she did!!!
In fact, I was so inspired, I decided to give away a set, too!
Congratulations to Bethany and Pam for winning books 2 & 3 of the series. Be sure to download book one while it’s free!
And to learn more about Laura Hile, check her out on:
Psst…
All these things happened… but in a different order. Just had to let you know in the interest of honesty and full disclosure.
I haven’t read any of Laura Hile’s books, but if you recommend it, it has to be good.
I really enjoyed it And somehow you got stuck in spam. BAD spam filter. Please forgive me. Hmph.
I loved reading this post! I’ve always wondered what happens to Elizabeth Elliot…
I came here from Laura Hiles sight. Glad I did, what a cleverly written post. Highly entertaining!
Nice to have you! Good luck on the books!
Thank you both for this giveaway. I’ve never read Ms
Hile’s books, but now I’m intrigued and can’t wait to read the first one.
Chautona, thank you for the enthusiastic article. Wow, you make me want to reread my own book!
That’s the great thing about free promotions — readers can try a new aithor or genre without risk.
And tomorrow night you choose the winners. Exciting!
I wanted those who didn’t win to have time to buy the books while they’re still on sale!
Well of course I’m interested! What a neat way to garner interest….hi ho, hi ho, to the affiliate link I go!
Ahem! Not to be a nag, but I’m still waiting on the month of February you promised to email to me for the Vintage Wren. I’m trying real hard to keep up with her for March, but Sometimes they must get caught in the spam folder.
I’m not sure why you didn’t get it, but this email is different from the one I have for you, so I’m going to try sending it to this one. Please check spam if it doesn’t arrive by noon Pacific. Sorry for your frustration.
I always want to read more about my favorite characters in those classics. But, really, Mr. Darcy and Zombies? I did enjoy one of the ones about North and South, Unmapped Country. Now here is a chance to read about Anne Elliot’s sister. Who would have ever thought of writing a story for her? Who would want to read about that snooty, unpleasant character? This series intrigues me. If this author can make Elizabeth Elliot interesting, I’ll read all her books.
Those were my EXACT words when Barbara Cornthwaite recommended them! And she was so right. I LOVED this series because Laura made me care about Elizabeth without transforming her into someone she wasn’t!
That was so cute! I haven’t read this author before; downloaded the first book. Thanks!
I so enjoyed the books! And yes, wasn’t that letter adorable. Makes me want to reread!
If she interested you, then definitely, I’m interested! 😉
Oh, that must have been fun to get a letter like that!
Off to download my free book! Thanks!
Enjoy the book. And good luck on the rest!
I would never have chosen this book based on the cover or review, or even the letter, but Chautona, I will try it because I love everything you write. We’ll see…
These are a whole new cover set. The original (that I own) was this one here: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Dm4xfaT-L._SX320_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
aw. such a great teaser for the book! She’s got me excited to read more. I love finding authors that are new-to-me.
Her Darcy by Another Name was AWESOME, too. She made me like a “Freaky Friday” event in Regency England. That takes some doing! I couldn’t stop “peeking” into it until I gave up and devoured it!
I looked up ”Freaky Friday” and had to LOL. I’ll have to check that one one too. 😀
Interesting. I normally don’t go for “regency” or “period” books, but I have downloaded Ms. Hile’s book based upon your interesting love letter story, which did intrigue me. I hope her novel will open the door to a new genre for me to explore! And I do love serial stories.
I downloaded the first book- trusting you won’t steer me wrong. 🙂
Barbara C is the one who turned me on to Laura. If you can’t trust me, how about her?
I love how she handled the series. It is brilliantly done.
I think Laura Hile could make me interested in the fate of Miss Elliot.
She did me! 😀