‘Twas the Night Before Release Day
By Linda Bond
‘Twas the night
before my first book release,
when all thro’ the
house
Not a family member was stirring
not even my spouse.
Tomorrows Facebook posts were filed on my desktop with care,
In hopes that new readers would soon become aware;
My children were nestled iPhones next to them in bed,
while visions of Amazon’s
top 100 danced in my head
Lounging in sweat pants, my hair under a cap -
I hoped wine would settle my brain for a nap.
When out on the pool deck there arose such a clatter,
I jumped from my desk to see what was the matter.
Away to the back door I flew in a beat.
Threw open the door and stepped back from the heat.
The new moon splashed light on the back yard expanse.
The summer wind moving
the palm trees in dance.
When, what to my tired eyes did appear,
but a miniature sleigh
and eight tiny reindeer.
With a fat jolly driver all dressed in red,
red t-shirt – red shorts – red hat on his head?
I knew at that moment I must really be drunk.
Or sadly over anxious, falling into a funk.
Had I done all the right things to make my book a success?
What was I missing?
Would tomorrow be a mess?
More rapid than lightning, his reindeer they landed
The big man jumped out while his team disbanded.
Like he could read my mind, he sprang onto my deck.
I jumped back, put my hands out, thinking what the heck?
His eyes how they twinkled – with knowledge, I think.
His nose was all cherry – maybe he’d like a drink? J
Before I could ask Santa, “Why are you here?
In Florida?
In July?
With all those North Pole reindeer?
He smiled, and laughed, his belly jiggling like Jell-O
And I knew in an instant he was a good fellow.
Then he spoke, his voice deep, like afternoon thunder.
His words raining down flooding me with wonder.
“Ms. Bond, I came here to see only you.
To make sure you understand what I came here to do.
To deliver your present, I traveled across the sky.
To give you a lesson – give you Christmas in July.”
“A lesson? Why Santa, I thought you did toys.
For babies and toddlers, good girls and good boys.”
“I bring you a gift so you can finally get sleep,
A present and a message I hope you will reap.
Your gift as a writer is making others disappear,
for an hour, for a
day, for even a year,
into a world they can relax in – feel love - maybe escape.
You bring joy elicit tears, a difference you make.
By giving of yourself, you have already received
the greatest gift I could wrap, deliver, or achieve.
So, stop all this nonsense about lists and number one,
and remember you got into this just to have fun.”
Then he handed me a box – a twinkle in those wise eyes.
He turned and reloaded, took off for the sky.
When I opened that box
- only one thing inside.
A printed copy of my first book Alive at 5
I fought back the tears ‘cause I knew he was right.
Here I was still awake in the middle of the night,
worried about a day that had yet to dawn
when I had already had tons of real fun.
I finished that wine, tears still in my eyes.
As his sleigh blended in with the twinkling stars in the sky.
But, I swear he exclaimed as he rode out of sight,
Happy release day to all, and to all a good write.
Title: Alive at 5
Author: Linda Bond
Publisher: Entangled Ignite
Pages: 249
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format: Ebook
TV news reporter Samantha Steele is one panic attack away from losing her job. Future on the line and cameraman in tow, she follows her mentor on an exhilarating adventure vacation. When he dies while skydiving, her investigative instincts scream “murdered”, and lead her to gorgeous thrill-seeker Zack Hunter.
Zack is an undercover police officer investigating his uncle’s death through the same adventure vacation company. Samantha is a thorn in his side the moment they meet. Not only is she investigating the same case, but the emotionally wounded loner doesn’t want another partner, especially one whose goal is to splash evidence all over the evening news. But Samantha’s persistence is quite a turn-on, and Zack’s overpowering desire makes it harder for him to push her away.
When the killer turns his attention to Zack, Samantha might be the only one who can save him, forcing the anxiety-riddled correspondent to finally face her greatest fear.
For More Information
- Alive at 5 is available at Amazon.
- Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble
Author Linda Bond was born in San Francisco, California but spent most of her life in the south, attending middle and high school in Greenville, South Carolina and college at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.
She’s worked as a television news reporter and anchor in Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa, Florida. For the past fifteen years, she’s been a health reporter, sharing important information with viewers on the latest medical breakthroughs and writing emotional, human-interest stories on those who have the courage and spirit to fight for their lives.
She writes every day, under deadline, but has always loved losing herself in a good fiction story. Her love for writing fiction actually started in high school, but a thriving, busy professional life, along with five kids, kept her busy for many years.
Entangled Publishing is releasing her debut romantic adventure, Alive at 5, July 14th 2014.
She has received numerous writing awards in Romance Writer’s of America chapter contests for Alive at 5 and her other manuscripts Cuba Undercover and Glory, Glory the Majorettes are 40.
She has also won 12 Emmy awards, numerous Society of Professional Journalist, and Associated Press awards, as well as a Florida Bar award and Edward R. Murrow award.
This former baton-twirling beauty queen from the Deep South, now lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband, adopted son from Cuba, two daughters, and one stubborn Bulldog named Sanford.
Don’t miss out on great books from Entangled Publishing – Check out their Steals and Deals!
Linda is giving away a $25 Amazon/B&N Gift Card!
Terms & Conditions:
- By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
- 1 winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter.
- This giveaway begins July 14 and ends on July 25.
- Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, July 28 .
- Winner has 48 hours to reply.
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