I know this is the romance foru. But I also know a lot of you like other genres and like authors like C.S. Harris and Deanna Raybourne.

So I'm pimping my new game here.  Elephant swap requiring a fiction or true crime book that takes place prior to 1950. 

 History is a Mystery Elephant Swap-taking sign ups!

Can you explain how a swap works? I've seen them mentioned, but have never participated. Debbie

Well this swap just finished but I can give you the gist.  You have to take each swap individually because the hostess' can change the rules and adjust them to how she wants the game played.

But a basic Elephant swap is run just like one in real life like a Christmas Ornament swap or gift exchange.

The Hostess picks a them and the rules the book has to fit.  (like my swap above required a mystery that takes place before 1950)

Players give the hostess a credit which goes to a moderator and is basically held in escrow.  This is incase someone doesn't mail a book out, mails an unpostable book or something.

A random play order is made.

Player 1 asks someone to reveal what book they have.

Player 2 can steal player 1's book or ask another person to reveal.  If they steal player 1's book then player 1 has to ask someone else to reveal and then player 3 goes and so on...,

In most games the book is out when it's stolen the 3rd time but that's one of the rules that the hostess can change.

When the last book has been revealed, you give your address to the person who's book you won and mail your book to the person who won yours.  You get your credit back when your book has been received.  Games usually require that you buy DC on the book you send as proof that you mailed it out.

Sometimes they get more complicated with different rounds.