There are few pleasures greater than opening a brand new book. Running your fingers over a creaseless cover in its fresh, stain-free colours gives a thrill of anticipation for what you'll discover on the pristine pages inside. It might be a classic or a bestseller, but when you open that copy, you feel like an explorer discovering a new country, as if you are the first person ever to read what's written in it. The smell of new ink and paper is as attractive to a book-lover as lavender is to a bee.

That isn't to say that secondhand books don't have their own attractions, not least speculating on who it belonged to before or how that stain got on page 43 and whether it's jam or blood. But, ah, the charm of a new book! I'd be tempted to claim it's unbeatable but for one thing. The arrival in the post of a beautiful volume with one of my stories in it.

Dreams Divine is the latest offering from Flame Tree Publishing who specialise in anthologies of speculative fiction based around a particular theme. In this case the call was for romantic fantasy fiction with a dream element. Twenty-five stories were chosen, including mine, 'The Silent War', which previously appeared in QWF. It's in good company with works by award-winning and internationally published authors represented.

The production does us proud. It's a beautiful hardback with an imaginative cover, laid out in a format that allows the text space. There are illustrations and flowering dropped capitals. Every aspect shows attention to detail and care.

If this sounds like an ideal gift for a fantasy fan you know, or you'd like a copy for yourself, Dreams Divine is available at http://www.flametreepublishing.com.


Enjoy!


P.S. Don't forget the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale is on throughout July. To download your digital copy of Discord's Child and Artists and Liars FREE visit http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ksdearsley