Keli Gwyn's Blog, page 21

Friday Fun Book Release Style

The release month for A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California has been such fun. I’m so grateful to everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support.

Because so many wonderful people have helped me reach this milestone, I’m eager to have you all share in the celebration. One way I’ve been doing that is to hold my Five Weeks of Fun drawings.

Today is the start of the final Bushel of Fun drawing. Each cute little basket is filled with a copy of my book and five items from the story, a prize package worth $40. This drawing will run through the end of the month. I’ll announce the winner in my post on Wednesday, August 1st.

The story-related items, as seen above, are: an autographed copy of A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, a French-milled lavender soap bar, a bag of lemon drops, a bag of peppermint sticks, a bag of rose potpourri, and a package of violet seeds. The winner gets the bushel, too.

All of the items in the basket were available in the year 1870, when the story takes place. Each Friday, I’ve shared a passage or two showing why one of the items the bushel plays a part in the story. Here are the passages about the fifth and final item.

Violet Seeds

Violets play a special role in the story. They’re Elenora Watkins’s favorite flower. The Victorians had a language of flowers that told them what each flower meant. The following lines are from the scene where Ellie is meeting Miles Rutledge for the first time. He expected a man as his prospective junior partner, but she doesn’t know that yet. At the end of this passage, she thinks about meaning of the violet.

…..“Mama, you were right. He is a nice man. And I think he’s handsome, don’t you? I know you were afraid he’d be—”

…..“Yes Tildy, he’s, um, a fine-looking man.” She attempted a smile, but it felt strained. Why was he glaring at her? “Did you find out if he sells candy?”

…..“Your daughter did ask, Mrs. Watkins. She’s honest about what she wants.”

…..“She can be outspoken at times, but she means well. And I’ve told her whispering is impolite. Did she say something amiss?”

…..His carefully combed mustache concealed a portion of his mouth, but the small lines at the corners indicated his lips were pursed. “Not at all. Tildy is forthcoming, unlike some people.”

…..Elenora fingered the silk violets at her throat. Mama had always said the tiny purple blossoms stood for modesty and served as a reminder to show no impropriety in appearance, behavior, or manner. Much of the time Elenora maintained rigid control, but this man vexed her. What did he mean by those inexplicable lines he’d dropped into their discourse?

In this scene much later in the story, Miles is observing Ellie from afar while attending a 4th of July celebration at his friends’ farm. Ellie came to California from Omaha and is adjusting to the heat of a Sierra Foothills’ summer.

…..Miles smiled. Will and Pearl had something special. Something he and Irene had never had. Something he wanted. His gaze wandered to Ellie, who swiped the back of a hand across her forehead and blew a breath over her face. The heat must be hard on her. Those not accustomed to temperatures that hovered around the century mark for days on end often suffered.

…..Unlike many who dressed too warmly their first summer, she’d chosen wisely. The dotted Swiss with its navy spots and the red bow at her throat were fitting for the day, but he preferred her in purple with the cluster of silk violets at her throat. The color suited her—regal and elegant.

☙☙☙

A Question for You

Have you ever grown violets?

What is your favorite flower? Do you know it’s meaning?

☙☙☙

The Final Bushel of Fun Drawing

I’m using Rafflecopter to hold the drawing.

Doing so gives you the opportunity to earn bonus entry points.

The winner of last Friday’s Bushel of Fun is Judy S.

Congratulations, Judy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grand Prize Drawing

Don’t miss the drawing for Elenora’s Extravaganza. The prize package, valued at $200, includes six Victorian-themed items such as Ellie would sell in her shop. Entries accepted through July 31st.

☙☙☙

 Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 27

Cynthia Herron ~ Guest Post with Book and Gift Card Giveaway

In this post, I share what’s fact and what’s fiction in A Bride Opens Shop.

Romantic Rides

When I was a kid, my sisters and I used to dream of riding in a convertible.

My dream became a reality when I met Gwynly. He owns a ’68 MGB roadster, a pale yellow sports car that’s been his companion since 1970.

Gwynly’s beautiful British blonde, Midge, entered his life seventeen years before I did. When we were first married, I was a tad bit jealous because of how much time he spent with her, but she and I have become friends.

Gwynly behind the wheel. Check out that satisfied smile of his.

Gwynly loves to take me for drives with the top down. The fraidy cat in me used to worry about the danger of riding in such a small car, but I’ve mellowed with age. These days, I sit back, relax, and enjoy the thrill of the wind whipping my hair and the sun kissing my cheeks.

There’s something quite romantic about sitting by Gwynly’s side while he wields the wheel of his road-hugging gal. He’s in his element, and I get to share in the experience.

My friend and agency mate Lisa Jordan invited me to write a guest post, and I talked about how we women can reap rewards by “Shifting into Romance.” I listed five tips worth checking out. These are Gwynly-approved tips, by the way. He actually read the post and left a comment.

Since I’d love for you to check out the post and show Lisa some love, I’m not going to ask a question here. I have a fun one at the bottom of my guest post on her blog, though.

☙☙☙

 Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 25

Cynthia Herron ~ Character Interview and Giveaway

SueHarrison.com ~ Guest Post

July 26

Life Lessons ~ Interview and Book Giveaway with Maria Morgan

Write Now ~ Interview and Book Giveaway with Karen Lange

Discovering Yesterday’s Treasures at the Used Bookstore

Our daughter, Adriana, is an avid reader. She devours books like some people do chocolate.

During her recent visit, Adri and I spent some time in our historic downtown area. Her must-see stop was 326 Main Street, one of the oldest buildings in Placerville, California with a history that, according to some, includes grizzly bear and donkey fights during the early days of the Gold Rush.

And what is at 326 Main Street? The Bookery, a labyrinthine shop filled to the brim with books from days gone by. This used bookstore has long been one of Adri’s favorite destinations. Even if she’s only here for just a day or two, she makes time to browse.

We entered the store that day, and she wove her way through the maze to the classics. I’ve been to the Bookery many times, but I wasn’t aware they had this section. I tend to get lost in the historical section near the front door and haven’t discovered the treasures to be found if one spends an afternoon perusing them all as Adri has.

When we reached the classics section, Adri lifted a hand, trailed it across the spines of the books on the top shelf, and audibly sighed. She turned to me with a satisfied smile on her face. “Aren’t they beautiful?” She remarked about how the place “smells like books.”

Adri went on to explore the section. Since she visits the store frequently, she can spot new additions quickly. A gilt-edged volume of Jane Austen’s Emma captured her eye that day. She opened the volume to the copyright page, hoping to see a date from the distant past. Even though the copyright was 2000, she bought the book because “it’s so pretty and will look nice on my bookshelf.”

Eager to capture this memory in the making, I asked Adri to pose for a picture. I backed up as far as I could to get the shot, bumping into the rack behind me. I turned and beheld a sight that caused me to inhale sharply: the Women Pioneers section. Three rows of titles, many bearing the names of courageous women who settled the Golden State, were hidden in the back of the Bookery. A wealth of reference books I can’t wait to explore as soon as my schedule lightens up a bit.

While making such an unexpected discovery was wonderful, what thrilled me more was witnessing Adri’s passion for books. She may be part of the wired generation, but she loves the look, feel, and smell of print books and can’t imagine life without them. She’s read books on my Kindle and spends time researching new releases on Amazon, but when it comes to owning a book from bygone days, she prefers those she can hold in her hands. I guess you could say Adri is a classic!

☙☙☙

Do you enjoy perusing the shelves of used bookstores?

What’s one treasure you discovered in a used bookstore?

☙☙☙

 Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 23

Cynthia Herron~ Book Introduction and Giveaway

The Mustard Seed ~ Interview and

Book Giveaway with Lindsay Harrel

July 24

Lisa Jordan – Guest Post and Book Giveaway

Friday Fun Book Release Style

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California is now in readers’ hands.

I’ve been blown away by the many wonderful responses and kind reviews.

Because so many wonderful people have helped me reach this milestone, I’m eager to have you all share in the celebration. One way I’m doing that is to hold my Five Weeks of Fun drawings.

Every Friday, from today until the end of July, I’ll start a new drawing for one Bushel of Fun filled with a copy of my book and five items from the story, a prize package worth $40. Each drawing will run through the following Thursday, and the winner will be announced in the Friday post the next day.

 

The story-related items, as seen above, are: an autographed copy of A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, a French-milled lavender soap bar, a bag of lemon drops, a bag of peppermint sticks, a bag of rose potpourri, and a package of violet seeds. The winner gets the bushel, too.

All of the items in the basket were available in the year 1870, when the story takes place. Each Friday, I’ll share a passage or two showing why one of the items the bushel plays a part in the story.

French-milled Lavender Soap Bar

A lavender soap bar is mentioned in the story twice. In the excerpt below, Elenora is talking with her daughter, Tildy, about the building Elenora has rented to house her shop and is reflecting on the bath they’d taken following their week aboard the train that transported them from Omaha, Nebraska to California.

…..“It’s so dirty, Mama.”

…..Tildy ran a hand over a simple pine display case and held up a dust-covered palm to Elenora. The sun slanted through the large plateglass window at the front of the shop—her shop—throwing shadows over the littered floor.

…..“It may be dirty, but at least we’re clean now.” Never had a bath felt as good as the one she’d taken after Tildy finished hers the day before. They still smelled of lavender, thanks to the bar of French-milled soap she’d tucked in one of their trunks at the last minute.

…..“How long do you think it will be before you can open up?”

…..“I’ll have the place clean in two shakes, but it’s going to take time to get merchandise.”

to get merchandise.”….

In this scene, Elenora is in her shop talking with Mile Rutledge’s mother, who speaks first.

…..“What’s that I smell? Lavender?”

…..“The vendor had received a shipment of European soaps. I have Pears glycerin bars, too, but I passed on the ones from Wrights.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ll leave it to your son to carry theirs. Men may like the strong coal tar smell, but I prefer something more delicate.”

…..“I agree. May I see the lavender one?” Elenora removed a bar from the display case and handed the fragrant soap to Mrs. Rutledge, who took a whiff. “Mmm. I’ll take it.” She opened the reticule hanging from her wrist and produced a coin.

…..Elenora waved a hand. “Consider it a gift.”

…..“You’re as bad as Miles with those peppermint sticks he slips Matilda. You’ll not stay in business long if you give away your wares.”

…..“But I’ll have a loyal customer, I hope.” She smiled.

☙☙☙

A Question for You

Do you enjoy the scent of lavender?

Have you every grown lavender?

What type of soap bar is your favorite?

☙☙☙

The Drawing

I’m using Rafflecopter to hold the drawing.

Doing so gives you the opportunity to earn bonus entry points.

The winner of last Friday’s Bushel of Fun is Gabrielle M.

Congratulations, Gabrielle!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

☙☙☙

 Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 20

The Barn Door Book Loft ~ Interview and Book Giveaway

with Patty Wysong, Sharon Lavy, and Carole Brown

Romantic Appearances

When I see my guy all decked out, my romance meter pins.

Men in suits look super. When Gwynly showed up for our first date in one, I was impressed. When I entered the church for our wedding and beheld him in his tux with tails, my pulse rate rivaled an Indy car at full throttle.

This past weekend, I went to my first book signing. Gwynly donned his brand new Victorian finery. When he walked into the living room wearing his frock coat, silver brocade waistcoat, bib-front shirt with stand-up collar, silk puff tie, high-waisted trousers, and top hat, I went all doe-eyed.

My guy looked dashing, debonair, and downright drool-worthy. (Yes, even couples married close to 25 years can still go gaga over one another.)

Unfortunately, the day was warm. All right, some would call the upper nineties stinkin’ hot, but I was trying to be upbeat. I didn’t want to think about how toasty it was, since I was in my Victorian gown with its full skirt, petticoat, and long-sleeved bodice. At least I had my Battenburg lace fan to create a breeze.

Being a guy, one not used to wearing suit coats, Gwynly didn’t want to roast, so he took off his frock coat soon after we arrived. He still looked nice, but I prefer the complete picture. There’s something so romantic about a Victorian gentleman dressed to the hilt that does something for this romance writer’s heart, especially when said gentleman is my guy.

☙☙☙

What outfit does your special someone wear that sets your heart racing?

☙☙☙

 Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 18

Katie Ganshert – Guest Post and Book Giveaway

July 19

Come Meet AusJenny – Interview and

Book Giveaway with Jenny Blake

Magical Musings – Guest Post and Book Giveaway

A Pen for Your Thoughts – Book Spotlight and

Book Giveaway with Shirley Connolly

Relz Reviews – Character Spotlight with Rel Mollet

Readers Rock!

I’ve been a reader for close to fifty years, so I know the thrill of savoring a story from that perspective well.

Now that my debut novel has been released, I’m seeing readers from a whole new point of view.

I must admit that it’s rewarding to not only be a reader but to have readers.

Hearing from them is wonderful. Meeting some of them in person is thrilling.

I was blessed to spend time with quite of few of my readers and many of my dear friends at my Book Launch and Old-fashioned Ice Cream Social yesterday. I loved celebrating with some of the people who have traveled my writing journey with me from the earliest days. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support and encouragement.

Here I am having the time of my life!

One friend is a talented videographer and is busy editing the footage he took. I look forward to sharing the video in a few days. Bill Feigles does awesome work, so I know you’re going to enjoy it.

Another friend, a talented writer in my local Inspire Christian Writers group, is an excellent journalist. Mary Beth Magee read the story, wrote an awesome review, attended the Launch Party, had me sign a stack of books, and published a fantastic article about my Old-fashioned Ice Cream Social at Examiner.com.

So many helped make this milestone event a huge success, but two stand out.

Gwynly poured his heart and soul into the preparations. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive husband. He even put together a folk music group to play tunes from my story. Gwynly is in the top hat, and Jon Gudnason is on guitar. Our daughter, Adri, is one of the vocalists and Bruce Quinn the other.

My family and two of our friends adding folk music to the fun.

My dear friend and writing buddy Lacie Nezbeth helped plan and coordinate the event and showed up to help, along with several of her family members ready and willing to do whatever was needed. My sincere thanks to them and to the many others who pitched in to help in countless ways.

Lacie, to my right, is at the ice cream table ready to dish up the Dreyer’s.

One of my helpers, Rich Burrill, snapped a shot I just have to share. He titled this picture, “True Men Do Read Romance Books.”

Tim checking out my heartfelt inscription.

The gentleman pictured is Tim Silver, a friend who, along with my dad, helped me get the shooting scenes in the book right. Tim even came over bearing a revolver so I could handle it. He helped me work out some of the poses in a certain scene with Gwynly as my accomplice. And bless Tim, he even read the scene after I wrote it to ensure that I had my details correct. No. Not the romantic elements. He kinda skimmed over those and kept his aim on the shooting aspects of the scene.

Now that my long-awaited Book Launch Party is history, I’m having fun reliving it through the comments and and pictures of those who attended. But the fun continues. Each time I hear from a reader, I rejoice.

☙☙☙

Do you know any men who read romance novels?

If you’ve been published, did you host a book launch party?

If you’re dreaming of a First Sale, what kind of launch party do you envision?

☙☙☙

 Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 16

Loree Huebner ~ Between you, me and the gatepost. . .

Interview and Book Giveaway with Loree Huebner

The Sword and the Spirit ~ Guest Post and Book Giveaway with

Book Giveaway with Debbie Lynne Costello

July 17

Christian Bookshelf Reviews ~ Interview

and Book Giveaway with Melanie

Seekerville – Guest Post and Two-Book Giveaway

with the Seekers

 

Friday Fun Book Release Style

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California is now in readers’ hands.

I’ve been blown away by the many wonderful responses and kind reviews.

Because so many wonderful people have helped me reach this milestone, I’m eager to have you all share in the celebration. One way I’m doing that is to hold my Five Weeks of Fun drawings.

Every Friday, from today until the end of July, I’ll start a new drawing for one Bushel of Fun filled with a copy of my book and five items from the story, a prize package worth $40. Each drawing will run through the following Thursday, and the winner will be announced in the Friday post the next day.

 

The story-related items, as seen above, are: an autographed copy of A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, a French-milled lavender soap bar, a bag of lemon drops, a bag of peppermint sticks, a bag of rose potpourri, and a package of violet seeds. The winner gets the bushel, too.

All of the items in the basket were available in the year 1870, when the story takes place. Each Friday, I’ll share a passage or two showing why one of the items the bushel plays a part in the story.

Rose Potpourri

Roses play a role in the story. In this excerpt below, Elenora is enjoying a tour of the flower garden at Miles’s house.

…..Minutes later she stood before a row of shrubs bearing pink roses with a hint of purple and inhaled their fragrance. “The scent is a bit fruity.” Tildy had dashed off around the back of the house in pursuit of an elusive butterfly, but Mr. Rutledge waited at Elenora’s side. “They’re lovely. I’ll have to ask your mother what kind they are.”

…..“She wouldn’t be able to tell you.”

…..He didn’t appear to be teasing. Instead he watched her intently, causing a tingling at the back of her neck. Her cheeks warmed, and yet she couldn’t pull her gaze from his handsome face.

 In this scene, Elenora is reflecting on an accident that has taken place, and potpourri comes into play.

…..Cool night air seeped in, causing her to shiver. The sweet scent of potpourri stopped her. A splintered board had landed close to Mama’s crystal bowl, but thankfully the keepsake hadn’t been broken.

…..Mama. With her voice as soft as a kitten’s underbelly. She’d always had the right words to make things better. What would she say if she were here now?

…..Pray.

☙☙☙

A Question for You

Have you ever grown roses? If so, do you have a favorite variety?

What color rose is your favorite, or do you like them all?

☙☙☙

The Drawing

I’m using Rafflecopter to hold the drawing.

Doing so gives you the opportunity to earn bonus entry points.

The winner of last Friday’s Bushel of Fun is Katrin W. Congratulations, Katrin!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

☙☙☙

 Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 13

The Barn Door Book Loft ~ Guest Post and Book Giveaway with

Patty Wysong, Sharon Lavy, and Carole Brown

July 14

Petticoats & Pistols~ Interview and

Book Giveaway with the Fillies

Romantic Proposals: At The Footbridge

Marriage proposals are special. Some are funny. Some are serious. And some are so romantic we can’t help but sigh.

When my writer friend and blogging buddy Gabrielle Meyer shared her proposal story with me, I did just that. I asked her if she’d be willing to share it here on my blog, and she said yes.

Here is Gabrielle’s beautiful story, one I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

❤❤❤

The first time I saw my husband, David, he was in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and I was in the audience. When he stepped onto the stage, I sat up straight, and when he began to sing, I melted into a pool.

Later, I was at a gathering with friends, when David walked in. I was talking with a friend about my job at the Dairy Queen. She was lactose intolerant and asked if there were any products available for people like her. I must admit, I wasn’t concentrating on the conversation; I was too busy watching David walk across the room, his handsome smile directed right at me.

This was the big moment! Butterflies flew through my stomach and my heart did a little flip. My friend, not knowing how historic this moment would forever remain, glanced at David and said nonchalantly: “Dave, have you met Gabe? She’s our friendly lactose dealer.” It wasn’t an ideal introduction, but we’d met!

Nine months later, after hours of phone calls, chance encounters and planned meetings, our friendship (finally!) developed into a romance, and we’ve never looked back.

David and Gabrielle Meyer celebrating their 11th anniversary.

In those early days David wrote beautiful poetry. As he prepared to leave for college, he read me one of his poems. He said someday he would tell me what it meant, but with the transitions we were making after graduation, I quickly forgot about it.

For the first two years we attended universities only thirty miles apart, and then David made a difficult decision to transfer three hundred miles away. We couldn’t imagine being separated, but living together before marriage wasn’t an option, as both of us had made a commitment to purity. We began exploring the idea of marrying while we were still college students. It hadn’t been our original plan, but the more we talked and prayed, the more we knew it was God’s best for us.

We picked out a ring, a beautiful vintage setting much like my grandmother’s, but he said the rest would be a surprise.

On a moonlit night in October of 2000, David came to my parents’ home and asked me if I’d like to take a walk with him in the park along the Mississippi River. The lamps on the trail offered a soft glow as we meandered hand in hand. When we came to the little footbridge on the path, David stopped and asked me to be his wife. With a little cry of excitement I said yes, and we shared a sweet kiss before he placed the ring on my finger.

David and Gabrielle Meyer on the Footbridge

In the joy of the moment, he asked me if I remembered the poem he’d written for me two years before, and that’s when he told me: “I wrote that poem the day I knew I would ask you to be my wife.”

The words to that poem, full of promise and hope, are etched into my heart. They graced the front of our wedding program and remain some of my favorite words ever written.

 ❤❤❤

Someday

by David Meyer

 I listen to the sound of my dreams, which seem to be singing your name

And I feel the madness of the love that my heart proclaims

And to you I shall give this love, to place on your lips so tender

Ah! It is you my love, my heart has been forever surrendered

As tender as a kiss on the footbridge, where the two destined lovers meet!

As beautiful as the morning snow and the smile that smiles so sweet

And if I could only be there to greet thee!

What a wonderful morning it would be!

On the footbridge where I shall meet thee!

Oh! What beautiful mornings we will see!

❤❤❤

Now that you’ve read Gabrielle’s story, don’t you agree that hers is a sigh-worthy proposal?

I love that poem and how David planned years before exactly where he’d take Gabrielle when he proposed to her. He certainly picked a romantic spot, didn’t he? And don’t you love that poem?

❤❤❤

Have you ever written a poem for your special someone?

Has your special someone written a poem for you?

☙☙☙

 Keli’s Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 11

Novel PASTimes ~ Interview and Book Giveaway

with Becky Melby and Cindy Thomson

Tag(g)lines ~ Tildy’s Character Interview

and Peppermint Giveaway with Melissa Tagg

July 12

The Barn Door Book Loft ~ Book Intro and Giveaway with

Patty Wysong, Sharon Lavy, and Carole Brown

The Library: A Reader’s Paradise

Close your eyes and envision the first library you remember visiting.

Inhale deeply. Can you smell that unmistakable blend of paper and ink that sets a reader’s heart beating? Do you remember the thrill of losing yourself in the stacks in search of great reads?

A couple of months ago, I took a walk down Memory Lane, revisiting my high school. I’d not been back since I graduated in 1977. After learning that every teacher I knew has retired, I donned a visitor’s pass and wandered the campus.

With no trouble, I found the room in Freshman Hall where I took my first English class with kindly Mr. Johnson. The portable where I spent two years under the tutelage of Mrs. Jones–who stretched us beyond what we thought possible and honed our skills–was no more. In its place was a new gym. Although the building was gone, my memories of Mrs. Jones remain intact.

Saving the best for last, I went to the cafeteria-library complex, a building I’d watched take shape during my time at Anderson High. Walking into the library, I was whisked back in time. With the exception of two banks of computers, the place looked much as I remember it.

School was in session when I was there, but I didn’t let the presence of curious teens stop me. I walked the stacks, trailing my fingers over the books, some of which I’m sure were there when I was a student. I drew in a deep breath, savoring the scent of the past in a place that was once a big part of my life.

To this day, I experience a feeling of exhilaration when I enter a library. I have a whole new set of memories formed in a our local library of story times with our daughter, countless trips to satisfy her insatiable desire for books as she grew older, and research excursions when I began writing. There’s no place quite like a library, is there?

☙☙☙

Do you have memories of a special library from your childhood?

Do you still make use of the library today?

☙☙☙

 Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 9

Sarah Forgrave ~ Meet and Greet and Book Giveaway.

July 10

Novel PASTimes ~ Interview and Book Giveaway

with Becky Melby and Cindy Thomson

Friday Fun Book Release Style

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California has arrived!

The major online booksellers are now filling orders.

Because so many wonderful people have helped me reach this milestone, I’m eager to have you all share in the celebration. One way I’m doing that is to hold my Five Weeks of Fun drawings.

Every Friday, from today until the end of July, I’ll start a new drawing for one Bushel of Fun filled with a copy of my book and five items from the story, a prize package worth $40. Each drawing will run through the following Thursday, and the winner will be announced in the Friday post the next day.

 

The story-related items, as seen above, are: an autographed copy of A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, a French-milled lavender soap bar, a bag of lemon drops, a bag of peppermint sticks, a bag of rose potpourri, and a package of violet seeds. The winner gets the bushel, too.

All of the items in the basket were available in the year 1870, when the story takes place. Each Friday, I’ll share a passage or two showing why one of the items the bushel plays a part in the story.

Lemon Drops

Last week we learned that Elenora’s daughter likes peppermint sticks. In the same conversation where Tildy tells Miles what her favorite candy is, he tells her what his is.

After Miles meets his prospective partner, he leads Tildy and Elenora to his mercantile. Here’s a snippet of conversation between Miles and Tildy.

     “Look, Mama. He has toys.” Tildy darted over two rows and dropped to her knees in front of a case housing an iron bank, two wooden tops, and a bowl of marbles.

     Mr. Rutledge sauntered up to Tildy and tapped her on the shoulder. “I think you forgot something.”

     She followed his hand to where he gestured. “Oh! The candy. And look. You have my favorite. Peppermint sticks. Do you like them, too?”

     “I’m partial to lemon drops myself. Always have a few in my pocket.”

Later in the story, Miles returns after helping the men in town battle a house fire. Elenora meets him near the church. And a lemon drop comes into play.

     When they reached the church, she tugged him toward it. He opened the door Mr. Parks insisted never be locked and followed her inside. She led him to the front pew.

     Once seated he looked at their hands, still joined. He gave hers a squeeze, released it, and directed his attention at some point near his scuffed, water-stained boots. The scent of smoke clung to him, overpowering all else. He crushed something in his teeth. A lemon drop most likely

      “Why did you come for me?”

     “I thought you could use a friend.”

     “A friend?” He ran his thumbs and forefingers down the crisp creases in his trousers. “Are we friends, Ellie?”

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A Question for You

Do you like lemon drops, or do sour candies make you cringe?

What’s your favorite lemon-flavored treat?

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The Drawing

I’m using Rafflecopter to hold the drawing.

Doing so gives you the opportunity to earn bonus entry points.

The winner of last Friday’s Bushel of Fun is Sara. Congratulations, Sara!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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 Book Release Blog Tour Appearances

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California was officially released July 1. Many wonderful bloggers have offered to help me get the word out by hosting me on their blogs. I’ll be sharing the links to those posts at the bottom of mine throughout the tour, which runs though the end of this month.

July 6

Blame It on the Muse ~ Guest Post,

“25 Ways to Enhance Creativity,”

and Book Giveaway with Liz Selvig

Inslinger Blog ~ Interview and Book

Giveaway with Shannon Taylor Vannatter

July 7

Through His Eyes ~ Interview and

Book Giveaway with Salena Stormo