I got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My publisher is so sneaky, but in a good way! : ) She told me that they wanted to get my approval on some merchandise concepts, so they'd be sending me some stuff to review overnight. So, I was all on top of this, waiting for the package, preparing to inspect it and respond as quickly as possible. All the while feeling really good that they were going to such lengths to get my input (which they do all the time for me, so nice!).

So, imagine my surprise when I see the package in my mailbox, take it inside, rip it open and pull out...my very own copy of The Silver Spoon paperback!!!!! They wanted to surprise me, and guess what, it worked!!!! I'm not sure I've ever been so shocked and shaking, actually. I held it in my hand and here's the weird part -- it looks so different, seeing those words in a book as opposed to a piece of paper in a pile of almost 300 similar sheets. I wanted to sit down and read it, even though I know most of it by heart, if not word for word!

But it's awesome -- I love it! And the quality of the printing inside is excellent. Margins are wide enough, printing is clear. Cover looks terrific : )

I can't believe it. How ridiculous it sounds, but I want to carry it with me everywhere, just so I can pull it out and look at it. I want to take it to bed with me, like a kid with a favorite stuffed animal. I won't, of course. Those paper cuts would be bad : ) Not to mention the possibility that the cover or pages might get bent! My husband has already expressed some reluctance toward touching for fear of breaking the spine (a big no-no for me in books!)

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *cartwheels* *huge grin* *jumping up and down*

I don't know if there's anything else to say. Except THANK YOU to God, and everyone out there who has been there for me and helped me, even in the smallest way. This moment could not have happened without you : )

Talk to you on Sunday -- check here for the winner of the ARC on Sunday, August 15. I'm not sure what time yet, but it will be here!