In which we have a giveaway and a reading list

Alright, chickens, today’s post is a bit down and dirty because I’m heading to Washington. Tomorrow I’m signing at One More Page in Arlington and Sunday I’ll be doing a panel discussion and signing with some amazing authors–including Joanna Bourne, whom I know a lot of you love in unholy ways. Come and see us!

Now, back to some regularly scheduled SILENT ON THE MOOR goodness. Are you feeling like you’d like to dip your toe into the pool of Yorkshire-ish, moorish, Victorianish, Gypsyish reading? Good, because I’ve got some recommendations that will tick at least a few of those boxes.

BURY ME STANDING Isabel Fonseca and LAVENGRO George Borrow–accounts of Roma life that are as fascinating as they are controversial

BRONTE COUNTRY Tom Howard–in case you can’t get enough of windswept moors

ENGLAND’S THOUSAND BEST HOUSES Simon Jenkins–let’s just call this what it is: real estate porn

JAMES HERRIOTT’S YORKSHIRE James Herriott–gorgeous photography and lots of local lore

THE VICTORIAN COUNTRY HOUSE Mark Girouard–more real estate porn, but this time it’s historical!

To drink with SILENT ON THE MOOR, I can only suggest a good STRONG black tea, the best you can find and without any silly flavorings. And to eat with it? What else–the Yorkshire favorite, parkin. For the rest of us, that’s gingerbread, although we might not recognize this version of it. Parkin is dark and sticky and heavy with spices, a damp and demanding sort of thing–perfect for a chilly fall afternoon with the wind howling outside and a nice fire on the hearth. (Or a pumpkin candle if the weather isn’t quite atmospheric enough. I know pumpkins aren’t from Yorkshire, but to Americans they do a superb job of evoking the season…)

Now, onto the giveaway! We have a signed copy of SILENT ON THE MOOR just begging for a good home. Is it yours? Leave a comment below if you’re a resident of the continental US, and the first TWENTY will be eligible to win. Please note that comments are in moderation, so you might not see your entry immediately, but please enter only once. Happy reading!

And do drop by tomorrow when we have a special Saturday post courtesy of M.K. Tod who will be here to chat about her new release!

UPDATE: contest is now closed. Congratulations, PAM! Please email me at deanna(at) deannaraybourn(dot)com with your mailing address.