Special Newsletter Contest

When the inevitable Montague-Capulet thumb-biting started, in the loud, clear tones I’d learned from my occasionally autocratic mother, I announced, “We are now going to play pin the fig leaf on Adam and Eve.”

Yep. You heard me.

You know the basics. Blindfold a guest, spin them in a circle, push them toward the large sketches which my dear friend and former art teacher, Gentile da Fabriano, had done for me, and let them blunder forward and pin the fig leaf in the approximate location that should be covered.

My version of the game included a few extra flourishes. For instance, the men pinned the fig leaf on Eve, and the women pinned the fig leaf on Adam, and the grumbling Montagues and Capulets were told by Prince Escalus to line up alternatively—Montague, Capulet, Montague, Capulet—so it was male Capulet and female Montague heading for the wall and vice versa.

As the not-yet-wed groom and bride, Cal and I led off.

Cal, of course, immediately pinned the fig leaf in the exact right spot to cover Eve.

The musicians played a triumphant note.

I groped the painting which caused a great deal of jocular commentary—I didn’t mind, that was my intention—before finally sticking the pin…somewhere. When I pulled off the blindfold, I discovered I’d pierced Adam’s nipple.

The musicians played a clear note that went sour.

Somehow, that made the situation funnier.

Everyone commiserated with Cal, who without a glimmer of a smile said, “It will be my delight and privilege to teach mia cara Rosie to assist me with the proper placement of my fig leaf.”

For one moment, no one knew how to respond. Was the dutiful, somber, stodgy prince making a jest? — TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN, June 30

The advanced reading copy of TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN is gorgeous, with a glossy inner and outer cover. Do you covet it?

As we celebrate upcoming publication of TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN, we’re running a contest exclusively for Christina Dodd and Daughter of Montague newsletter readers. That’s you!

There will be five prizes: To five lucky winners, one each advanced reading copy of TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN personalized to you.

Contest Rules and Small Print:

  • Because this contest is restricted to my mailing list, when you enter, use the email where you receive this newsletter.
  • You must enter by midnight PT, Sunday May 10.
  • Winners will be chosen by a randomizer.
  • Winner letters will go out May 13. You must reply to the email giving me your home address by midnight May 16. I won’t sell your information; I do need your address to send your prize. If you fail to reply by the deadline, we’ll randomize another winner. Prizes will be mailed by the end of May.
  • Due to shipping complications, we’re unable to ship abroad. If you’re a winner and live outside the United States, you’ll receive an Amazon e-gift card valued at $10.

Need to catch up on the Daughter of Montague series?
— If you’re a Prime member, you can e-read A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA free. You must be signed in with Prime. 4.2 stars with 1,312 reviews. Also available in hardcover, trade paperback and audiobook.

— Currently THUS WITH A KISS I DIE is $3.99 for Nook/Barnes and Noble. 4.8 stars with 113 reviews. Also a available in hardcover and audiobook. The trade paperback will be released May 26.

Thank you again for being a Christina Dodd friend, and for spreading the word about a Daughter of Montague. ❤️