Country Life has your December sorted, with two novels up for grabs. One, a perfect Christmas novel and the other a continuation of the beloved The Reacher thriller series.
Exit Strategy by Lee Child and Andrew Child
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Jack Reacher will make three stops today. Not all of them were planned for.
First – a Baltimore coffee shop. A seat in the corner, facing the door. Black coffee, two refills, no messing about.
A minor interruption from two of the customers, but nothing he can’t deal with swiftly.
As he leaves, a young guy brushes against him in the doorway.
Instinctively, Reacher checks the pocket holding his cash and passport.
There's no problem. Nothing is missing.
Second – a store to buy a coat. Nothing fancy.
Something he can ditch when he heads to warmer climes.
Large enough to fit a man the size of a bank vault. As he pulls out his cash, he finds something new in his pocket.
A handwritten note. A desperate plea for help.
Third – wherever this bend in the road takes him.
Impressed by the guy’s technique and intrigued by the message, Reacher makes it his mission to find out more ...
Exit Strategy by Lee Child and Andrew Child is published by Penguin, RRP $34.99.
Christmas Joy by Mary-Anne O'Connor
1889 Rye, Sussex, England.
Joy by name, joy by nature, Miss Joy Parker loves nothing more than performing acts of kindness and making other people’s lives brighter.
Even the loss of her family’s fortune and being forced to accept a job as lady’s companion to the formidable Lady Hyacinth Montague doesn’t get her down.
Hyacinth treats her as the lowliest of servants – until her great-nephew and heir Earl Peter Montague arrives.
Although Joy makes a disastrous first impression, Peter is soon captivated by her compassionate ways.
Fireworks spark between them and Joy finds herself unexpectedly yet heartbreakingly in love, for in the world of high society, love and marriage are considered two very different things … and Hyacinth has far grander hopes for her great-nephew than the impoverished Joy.
Montwoods Manor is filled with the cream of the upper class, with Lady Regina of Hove the leading contender for the prize of becoming Peter’s wife.
Joy is charged with organising a lavish Christmas ball, one she can hardly attend in her homespun gown.
As the snow falls on this picturesque seaside town on Christmas Eve, Joy’s kind heart becomes ensnared by a scandalous plot and she is left to wonder if the games of the idle rich render love an impossibility … or if the magic of Christmas will deliver the greatest gift of all.
Christmas Joy by Mary-Anne O'Connor is published by Penguin, RRP $34.99.
GIVEAWAY
We have one copy of Christmas Joy and three copies of Exit Strategy to give away. First prize will receive a copy of each book, second and third prize will get a copy of Exit Strategy. For a chance to win, send your name, address, daytime phone number and the answer to this question: What animal is expected to be more active in the area this time of year? (Hint: see page 11.) Entries close on Friday, November 28, via post to: Country Life ‘Christmas reads’ Competition, PO Box 8000, Shepparton, 3632; or email to: competition@countrynews.com.au — please include the words ‘Christmas reads’ in the subject line.
WINNERS
The winner of our October Page-turners book giveaway is: Phillip Thomson from Kyabram.Congratulations! Collect your prize from the Shepparton News office at 7940 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Shepparton.