Have you ever been to an auction or yard sale that offers
“mystery boxes”? They’re officially called box lots and contain many different
items combined into one package. The box lot method lets auction houses
liquidate many miscellaneous items fast. I’ve always been fascinated by these
surprise packages. There’s such potential. Who knows what might be in there?
Maybe trash, maybe treasure. For example…
A postcard-sized landscape painting
bought as part of a box of trinkets costing $50 at auction was valued at almost
$400,000.
While rummaging through a box of
kitchen gadgets she’d bought at a storage auction, a woman discovered several
medals — including a Purple Heart — and discharge papers belonging to a World
War II veteran.
Another intrepid shopper bought a
box of books from an estate auction for $1, and found a first edition signed
copy of Mark Twain's Omnibus inside.
One box procured at an auction
contained a 177-year-old journal containing a church’s history from its
founding in 1834 to 1865.
It’s like Forrest Gump’s box of
chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.
So here’s your chance. Share the
tale of a favorite surprise in your life and win a mystery package of five
romances. Some I got at conferences, some through judging contests. They could
be any kind of story – contemporary, historical, inspirational. It’s a
surprise! And maybe you’ll find a new author to cherish forever. One sure
thing: the package will include a copy of my new book The Bride Insists.
I actually don't like surprises, but I did like my biggest surprise which was a birthday party for the Big 4-0 and a NEW car. That was a huge surprise.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release!
A car. Wow!
DeleteI don't like surprises that I don't have a hand in. LOL. But you telling us they are books, then it's all good - I like books. :)
ReplyDeleteI love those mystery boxes at auctions and such. I found many early 1900 books regarding writing and schooling in a $5 box of books at a sale. I love them!
I love old books too!
DeleteI love surprises!! Life can be boring without them lol. Every time I win a contest it is a surprise and whether big or small, I get a thrill. Sometimes goodies are added to a prize which are always fun. My biggest surprise win was here from Grace Burrowes of an ipad or the equivalent. I'm still in shock over that win!!
ReplyDeleteA big win indeed!
DeleteIt's a surprise when I win anything
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
My favorite surprises are when I get a phone call or a visit from someone I wasn't expecting. Big smiles and big hugs are the results.
ReplyDeleteYay for surprise visits!
DeleteI was lucky enough to win some Waterford Crystal in a contest. That was unexpected.
ReplyDeleteNice prize.
DeleteMine has to be when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I was in my mid 30s and many doctors told me over the years that I would not be able to have children. I now have 2.
ReplyDeletecampbellamyd at gmail dot com
Congratulations on a wonderful surprise!
DeleteI think the biggest surprise of my life was when I was in labor with my second child, whom everyone (including me) thought was a boy, and I found out "he" was a "she." In my drug-induced state I kept asking the doctor, "Are you sure he's a girl?"
ReplyDeletelol
DeleteI forget that I enter contests sometimes and when I found out that I won something big, it's always a surprise.
ReplyDeletesheryll1974@netscape.net
Those are fantastic surprises. My husband surprised me with a hot tub when I returned home from a week away. I had been wanting one for years~
ReplyDeleteProbably when I won an I pad mini in a contest! Totally unexpected.
ReplyDeleteLots of great surprises here! The winner will be announced on Monday.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest surprise was when a favorite author of mine sent her whole series signed to me as a thank you for helping her blog about the new release. It was an awesome surprise and so very generous.
ReplyDeletefsteph55(at)yahoo(dot)com
One of my favorite surprises was a party thrown for me during a hard time in my life by my friends and family. To say I was surprised is an understatement-- but it was so, so nice! :-)
ReplyDeletejustforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Sometimes I enter contests on a whim when I see them in store or from a newsletter and once I did that for an electronics store and then promptly forgot about it until I got a phone call saying I had won one of their grand prize gift cards. Now that was an unexpected but very pleasant surprise :)
ReplyDeleteahui89 at hotmail dot com
I'm not a big fan of surprises for myself (must be my need to be in control of situations I'm in, hehe!) But it probably stems from a childhood *trauma*. I was given a surprise birthday party at Chuck E Cheese, and the crazy mascot came up behind me and scared the daylights out of me! That is most likely the reason I don't like surprises for myself but I am intrigued by the idea of a mystery box full of books! Thanks for the chance to win :-)
ReplyDeletethebigbluewall77(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I like surprises - especially a box of books - best one was a mystery box won on a blog site filled with all diff types of goodies.
ReplyDeletepatoct@yahoo.com