In My Mailbox, or Saundra Mitchell is ADORABLE!

As always this is brought to us by the fabulous Alea and Kristi!

So I wasn’t expecting a whole lot this week, and I waited until the weekend to visit my “mailbox”, and what I found was a small happy package (that had obviously been opened by customs containing this):

1. The Season – Sarah MacLean

In Regency London, Alexandra is about to embark on her first season of balls and dinners, and while nothing would steer her mother from the course of marrying off her only daughter, 17-year-old Alex is put off by men’s seeming lack of interest in women with any amount of intelligence (Evidently, it scares eligible gentlemen off). Her opinions about romance change when she develops feelings for her brothers’ friend Gavin, who is mourning the sudden death of his father (making Gavin the new earl of Blackmoor). Mac-Lean’s debut is well paced, and as readers fill up on descriptions of dresses and society’s rules, another plot line develops: Alex overhears a conversation proving that Gavin’s father was murdered, and she puts her relationship, reputation and life in danger to help him. Readers will appreciate the clique lit/historical romance hybrid: headstrong Alex rolls her eyes and gossips with friends, but still knows the steps to the quadrille. Clever conversation in the spirit of Jane Austen makes this quite a page turner.

2. Edward Cullen Sweethearts (with quotes like “U R My Life Now” and “Dazzle” and “Lamb” and even, um, “Bite Me”.)

3. One delectable looking Tabasco lollipop (which is actually cinnamon flavored)

4. Bookmarks for Shadowed Summer and The Summer of Seven.

Okay, I was confused. I never asked for or entered anything for THE SEASON. No one ever sends me candy (unless we count the time I broke down on the phone with my friend Alex about three weeks after I moved back from the US and cried in withdrawal for Swedish Fish). And I definitely didn’t remember requesting a happy package with Deb swag (signed, too!).

So I looked at the return address, and it was from Saundra Mitchell!!! But wait – confusion! Saundra Mitchell is the author of Shadowed Summer! Why would she send me this!

I did remember winning another contest way back in April or May, in which I won a copy of Shadowed Summer. The months just flew by and I figured she’d forgotten. It was also my first contest win ever, so I was sad, and didn’t want to ask or anything, lest I seemed ungrateful.

But this still didn’t explain the package.

I looked inside the envelope again – and lo and behold – there was a note!!! FINALLY – AN EXPLANATION! I’m not going to write the whole thing, but I’ll quote the cutest part:

“[…]It’s not clear from my jacket text but there is occult and witchcraft, and homosexual text in my book. Though I am sure you would not be offended, the US consulate strongly suggested that this book might be confiscated or you could get into trouble for having it. Out of an abundance of caution, I am sending you Sarah MacLean’s The Season in [Shadowed Summer]’s place![…] I just didn’t think my book was good enough to potentially suffer over[…]”

Oh. My. God. *dies*

I am just beyond flattered and humbled that Saundra would go through sooooo much trouble for my sake. SHE ASKED THE US CONSULATE FOR ME! AND SHE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW ME! And yes, I’m in a country where that might have been the problem (won’t say it here for privacy reasons, but many of the bloggers already know), but I just want her and everyone else to know – ALL OF YOUR BOOKS ARE WORTH SUFFERING OVER!

I constantly fight everyday against traditions, customs, conservative thoughts and twisted politics to bring these books to the girls I know and love here, and I know they all appreciate what you do. Whether it’s sex, drugs, depression, witchcraft, alcoholism, homosexuality or any of the “evils” that these people think our young society should be protected from, you’re helping lots of young girls by making them aware and prepared. So thank you, from all of us!

Hearts and puppies to everyone! (And yes, I adored The Season. Review after my research madness is over!)

PS. I emailed Saundra to thank her, and she responded saying she was sorry, and that she thought I was mad at her. Um, I think I’m going to cry now. WHY IS EVERYONE IN THE YA BOOK INDUSTRY SO NICE?!?!

PPS. GOOD LORD SHE BOUGHT ME A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR THE E-BOOK! I may go collapse in a quiet corner now.