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.

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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?

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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 Katrin W. Congratulations, Katrin!

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 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