Monday, November 4, 2013

Release Party for Anita Mae Draper's Riding on a Christmas Wish!

Welcome to a special edition Release Party!  
The first for Author Anita Mae Draper!  

RIDING ON A CHRISTMAS WISH


Anita's first published story is part of this year's GUIDEBOOKS Christmas Collection:
A Cup of Christmas Cheer
...a two book gift set that Anita is generously giving away this week to one commenter.  
Please join us in wishing her much success and come on in out of the cold!

To help keep us pampered, I've asked three gentlemen to help! (all are on Anita's list for heroes in her future stories.) We've laid out quite a spread of Christmas treats and other favorite foods, many of which would be included in a 1911 celebration in the province of Ontario, Canada where Anita's story takes place!

It just so happens I live on another planet because I have no idea who this actor Josh Lucas is.



But he knows how to serve a cookie or two. I've dragged out an old cookbook for treats particularly popular after the turn of the century. the PREVIOUS turn of the century, that is.

1910's Best Cookie, as claimed by the Betty Crocker company was the OATMEAL DROP COOKIE! Oatmeal Drop cookies, I'm familiar with!

More treats - Butterscotch cookies and Chocolate Cream Cake. Maple creme cookies and Gingerbread. I brought in some very fine loose-leaf tea (Earl Grey!) and fresh ground coffee. When's the last time you had coffee perked?  The weather is plenty chilly up here in Ontario this week but Thomas and Eliza have a nice fire going and when the house gets full, we'll be opening a window to keep cool!

Harrison Ford made the Christmas CutOuts. I know. Who'd have guessed.  I think he's just about perfect for the role of Thomas, at least in this photo!  And Bradley Cooper, come over here with those shortbread cookies. I'll be in the kitchen making hot chocolate the old fashioned way! Anita's famous Pumpkin Loaf is cooling and I've already cut into the fresh loaf of  ELIZA'S Oatmeal Bread, perfect to go along with a warm stew...
(It might be the same stew warming Thomas and Eliza's kitchen in Anita's story.)

 

If you must only come for awhile, I hope it's when the fiddler is here as we'll be practicing our Christmas carols later and we look forward to raising a cup of Christmas Cheer together. If we get the snow we want, you'll may have the option of a sleigh ride home.  Ahh, nothing like a cold, clear, starlit night!


Congratulations, Anita!  


To celebrate, Anita is offering two special giveaways this week - Besides the two volume set of hardcover books, she's adding a $10.00 Starbucks gift card. If you were like me, you'd re-gift that right into someone's Christmas stocking...because they are THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT! but you might not want to part with the books!
We'll pick names on Sunday evening, November 10th.

The celebration goes on tomorrow and Wednesday, so stop in and comment each day.

"Seriously. I can bake, you know."





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35 comments:

  1. Debra E. MarvinNovember 4, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Welcome all! It's truly a chilly day here, "north of the border" for many of you. I've started coffee (love that speckled blue percolater of Eliza's) and set the pumpkin loaf on the back of the stove to warm up. Come on in and help us celebrate!

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    1. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 11:27 AM

      Wow, Deb! Thank you so much for setting this up for me. I truly feel like it's a special day.

      And before I forget, Josh Lucas has over 50 film credits, but I remember him most for being one of the main characters in Poseidon 2006 where the rogue wave makes a cruise ship turn turtle.


      Delete
  2. DebHNovember 4, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    ooo, ooo, ooo... I want to be first to yell a HOORAY FOR ANITA! I'm so excited for her first release and I like the wait staff she's recruited for the day.

    So, so excited that all her hard work and dilgence has paid off. I've always enjoyed her writing. Yay Anita!

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    1. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 11:32 AM

      Awh, thanks DebH. I was hoping you'd be able to make it here. I can't thank you enough for being on my team and supporting me as a beta reader as well as creating my super duper brand, which I'm still using on my business cards. It's also on my iPhone cover, and a couple mugs. :D

      pssst - if you can think of a way I can incorporate the East aka early Ontario - in that brand, I'd love to hear it. .)

      Delete
    2. Debra E. MarvinNovember 4, 2013 at 1:18 PM

      Thanks for stopping in Deb! I'm enjoying some fine soft fiddle music right now--something I think we'd all enjoy. I hope you get a chance to read Anita's story and all the others! it's a great collection by many authors who have a special place in the hearts of the Inkies!

      Delete
  3. C.J. ChaseNovember 4, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    Congratulations, Anita! Deb, do you suppose you could russell up some hot mulled cider for me?

    I was looking at a Christmas decorating book or two this morning. I guess that must mean it's time for Christmas novels (and novellas).

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    1. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 11:35 AM

      Great idea, CJ! And with the blowing snow here today and the wind pushing through the cracks in this old house, I feel like putting the Christmas music on and making my traditional fruitcake. And no, it's not too early since I usually make it in November anyway so the flavours can meld together. :)

      Delete
    2. Debra E. MarvinNovember 4, 2013 at 1:19 PM

      hot mulled cider is ready! Do you know that cinnamon is an aphrodesiac? (I can't spell it but I can sure smell it!)

      So good to see you C.J.! I hope the trip is a short respite from all the busyness at home!

      Delete
  4. Barbara EarlyNovember 4, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    Yay! Congratulations Anita, and I might just have to have some warm cider and a cookie. OK, maybe more than one cookie.

    And what a cozy looking collection. I hope readers will scoop them up and hold on to them for years!

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    1. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 11:39 AM

      Thanks, Barb. Please, enjoy yourself.

      I think the readers may because I haven't seen any Guideposts Books filling up the used bookstores.

      When I first heard that these books would only be available through the ShopGuideposts.org online store, I thought why not on amazon. But the more I've dwelled on it, I realize how special that makes these books. And yes, it's probably why they're keepers. :)

      Delete
  5. Elaine KNovember 4, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    Congratulations Anita! So very happy for you! May this just be the first of many publications for you! (Waving across the province)
    It is a snowy day in my neighbourhood so your Christmas book and specifically your story, a nice hot beverage and an oatmeal cookie or two would be perfect!
    elaineking1 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 11:41 AM

      Oh Elaine, thank you for sharing this time with me. Yes, it's snowing snow here, too, but hopefully will leave again. Ha!

      Delete
  6. DeAnna Julie DodsonNovember 4, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    Ooooh, a Christmas where it actually gets cold and stuff. How . . . Christmassy! And those oatmeal drop cookies look divine!

    Congratulations, Anita! I love your story and know it's just the first step on a great writing career.

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    1. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 11:43 AM

      Thank you, DeAnna. Yes, it's cold here and it's cold and snowy in my story where hopefully the cutters and sleigh bells will help to set the mood. :)

      Delete
  7. Niki TurnerNovember 4, 2013 at 11:29 AM

    So excited for you, AnitaMae! A lovely way to get in the spirit of Christmas.

    Deb, how on earth did you miss Josh Lucas? He's got that lovely southern accent...

    I'm going for cocoa and an oatmeal raisin cookie!

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    1. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 11:44 AM

      Thanks, Niki. I have to agree... God truly blessed me when he gave me this opportunity because I so enjoy a white Christmas. Heading for a mocha with tiny marshmallows and a cookie. :)

      Delete
    2. Debra E. MarvinNovember 4, 2013 at 1:21 PM

      Niki - I know... what can I say? I don't recall if I ever saw all of Sweet Home Alabama.

      Between the waiters and the chocolate, I'm feeling rather light headed.

      Delete
  8. Suzie JohnsonNovember 4, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    Anita!!!! Congratulations! I'm so very happy for you!

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    1. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 11:45 AM

      Thank you, Suzie! :)

      Delete
    2. Debra E. MarvinNovember 4, 2013 at 1:23 PM

      SUZIE! love you kiddo! I'm glad you had a break and time to stop in and, I hope, relax a bit. We are enjoying some quiet time after the busy morning greeting guests and getting the food out on the table.

      Anyone up for a walk along the hedgerow? We might come upon a flock of turkeys. No worries. We'll only use cameras. No guns.

      Delete
  9. Dina SleimanNovember 4, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    Serve me up some of whatever Bradley Cooper is serving. LOL. Congratulations, Anita! Enjoy your big moment.

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    1. Debra E. MarvinNovember 4, 2013 at 1:24 PM

      I have to admit I have a hard time answering when he asks a question. Put on some sunglasses there, sonny. Those eyes are killing me.

      Delete
  10. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 11:45 AM

    Haha, Dina. I hear ya. Thank you! :)

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  11. Susanne DietzeNovember 4, 2013 at 12:26 PM

    Congratulations, Anita!! So happy for you.

    This looks like such a delightful collection of stories--definitely for the keeper shelf.

    I know the earl grey was brewed special for me. What a delightful array of treats our servers have whipped up for us. Of course Harrison Ford can bake.

    Deb, I think Josh Lucas was in Sweet Home Alabama with Reese Witherspoon as her (spoiler alert!) husband who made glass art.

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    1. Debra E. MarvinNovember 4, 2013 at 1:27 PM

      Anita says 50 movies. WHAT? gosh I guess I need to broaden my anglophile view of things...

      And, I'm curious if we are going to get enough snow to use that sleigh? but if it starts snowing... it might not stop...

      and we don't want to be snowed in , right?
      RIGHT?

      Delete
    2. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 9:20 PM

      Susie, yes, I was thinking of you when I decided to have Thomas drink tea, but I chose Earl Grey because that's what JJ likes to drink and I figured if a 15 yr old male likes it, so should a 40 yr old male.

      And you're also right about Josh Lucas and Sweet Home Alabama for he was in that one as well.

      Delete
    3. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 9:21 PM

      Deb, the IMDB site shows 50 films in the Josh Lucas filmography, although I can't vouch for the stats.

      Delete
  12. Jennifer AlLeeNovember 4, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    Gee, I love the wait staff at our release parties! Big congrats to Anita!!!

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    1. Debra E. MarvinNovember 4, 2013 at 4:04 PM

      Jen I hope you brought an extra sweater. If not, perhaps one of the gentlemen will offer you their jacket. It's chilly even for the northern girls.

      Of course I thought they'd stoked up the fire because it got quite warm in here...well, you know where this is going... ahem.

      Delete
    2. Anita Mae DraperNovember 4, 2013 at 9:22 PM

      Thanks, Jen. I'm tickled pink you were able to show up today... but then the pink could come from the constant rubbing to keep warm, too. LOL

      Delete
  13. UnknownNovember 4, 2013 at 9:58 PM

    Congratulations, Anita!! Books look great and I love Christmas books. They help get you more into the spirit of Christmas. Thank you for the chance of this wonderful giveaway.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lisa Karon RichardsonNovember 5, 2013 at 7:58 AM

    I'm late to the party, but so happy for Anita's release. This is a wonderful accomplishment. So happy for you sweet, Anita Mae!!!

    ReplyDelete

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We, the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations, would love to give free stuff to everybody. Since we can't, we will often have a giveaway in conjunction with a specific post. Unless otherwise stated, one winner will be drawn from comments left on that post between the date it was published and the end of the giveaway as determined in the post. Entries must be accompanied by a valid email address. This address is used only to contact the commenter in the event that he/she is the winner, and will not be sold, distributed, or used in any other fashion. The odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. NO PURCHASE, PLEDGE, OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

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