A Novel Idea: Author Susan Mallery Hides a Scavenger Hunt in Her Latest Book
Seattle, WA (PRWEB) September 25, 2013 -- In what may be the first ever fictional scavenger hunt, bestselling author Susan Mallery has hidden sixteen objects in her latest book, Christmas on 4th Street. The scavenger hunt guide can be found on the Freebies page of FoolsGoldCA.com, the website devoted to the Fool’s Gold romance novels, and readers can go back to that page to check their answers after they’ve read the book.
“As far as I know, no other writer has done this,” Mallery says. “Last year, right before I started working on Christmas on 4th Street, I invited my readers on Facebook to suggest objects for me to include in the book. From more than a thousand suggestions, I randomly chose sixteen objects and incorporated them into the story as I wrote.”
The objects range from the commonplace (a box of crisp apples) to the whimsical (a gray tabby kitten with no tail, named Miss Piggy) to the deeply personal (a tribute to the reader’s late brother, who was a fireman).
When asked why she created the Christmas on 4th Street scavenger hunt, Mallery says, “I love my readers, and I’m always trying to come up with new ways to show them how much they mean to me. I often hold contests on my website and on Facebook, but only a certain number of readers can win any given prize. This is a fun extra – bonus content – that all readers can enjoy.”
Mallery is known in the romance novel community for the rich and varied bonus content she provides for her readers. Perhaps the best example of this is the Fool’s Gold website, which, in addition to the scavenger hunt, has a map of the fictional town, a colorful history, between-the-books updates on the characters in the Fool’s Gold romance novels, pictures, videos, even quilting patterns and knitting patterns. As well as, of course, a list of the Fool’s Gold romance novels in chronological order.
“The Christmas on 4th Street scavenger hunt made writing the book even more of a pleasure,” Mallery says. “More than ever before, I felt that my readers were with me as I wrote. I am fully aware that I wouldn’t be where I was today without the millions of wonderful readers who have read my books. I treasure them, and I hope they’ll have fun with this Christmas gift from me.”
Christmas on 4th Street is available in gift-sized hardcover, e-book, and audiobook online and in stores across the nation. A free excerpt can be found at http://www.SusanMallery.com.
About Susan Mallery:
With more than 25 million books sold worldwide, New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery is known for creating characters who feel as real as the folks next door, and for putting them into emotional, often funny situations readers recognize from their own lives. Susan’s books have made Booklist’s Top 10 Romances list in four out of five consecutive years. RT Book Reviews says, “When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.” With her popular, ongoing Fool’s Gold series, Susan has reached new heights on the bestsellers lists and has won the hearts of countless new fans.
Susan grew up in southern California, moved so many times that her friends stopped writing her address in pen, and now has settled in Seattle with her husband and the most delightfully spoiled little dog who ever lived. Visit Susan online at http://www.SusanMallery.com.
Jenel Looney, Susan Mallery, Inc., http://www.susanmallery.com, 512-876-6544, [email protected]
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