I hope you don't mind the smell of fresh cut flowers. (We'll leave a window open.) The weather today in Ramble, Virginia is very spring-like despite some recent chilly weather.
We'll be gathering in the local party house, the Ashbury, where so many of Ramble's brides celebrate their receptions.
First, say hi to Beverly -
Our heroine is Audrey Bloom. Audrey is co-owner of the Rose In Bloom flower shop with her cousin Liv.
Audrey is in charge of their very busy wedding flower department and is known far and wide for an amazing knowledge of the meaning of flowers and choosing combinations that not only are beautiful, but reflect the personalities of the bride and groom.
Oh, yes, please allow our waiters to bring you a treat. Pastries today are courtesy of Nick at the Baby Cakes Bakery. (if you get the impression Nick is a bit sweet on Audrey, you're right!)
Audrey and Liv have always loved flowers and the shop is a legacy to their beloved Grandma Mae.
All this week, we'll be celebrating Bloom and Doom so come back often (we can't promise the danish will be fresh from the oven though...)
Beverly is giving away a copy this week so please mention in your comments if you'd like to be in our drawing. A name will be drawn at the end of the day on Sunday April 6th. Leave your email address safely - example CuteWaiter (at) zowee.com. Yes, I believe our waiter, Nathan, will be drawing the name...

Amazon link to Bloom and Doom
Here's more on Beverly. For more chances, go to her author page and find out where she is on her blog tour!
http://www.barbaraearly.com/
Congratulations, Beverly!
Oh, Deb! Thanks for organizing this classy little soire. I'm impressed by the wait staff--even more so that you have them all in tuxes. We're going high class this morning!
ReplyDeleteI know. I expected that they'd show up in something a little more relaxed but I guess the 'wedding theme' did the trick!
DeleteCoffee and teas provided by the local shop - the Brew-Ha-Ha, and they'll be bringing soups, salads and sandwiches later on!
I can't lie. I love release parties because they are an excuse to eat pastry. Of course it's fun to celebrate with my Inky sisters, too, but we always have fun in the secret, underground Inky headquarters. Release parties encourage us to get out of our fuzzy slippers and face the world (and out waiters!)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Beverly Allen or as I like to call her, Barb. I'm so happy your writing found a home. I've loved it since I first had the chance to look at one of your double final Genesis entries.
Bloom and Doom is getting great reviews and--hooray--two more in the series! Enjoy your special week!
Thanks again, Deb. But you really should have told me I couldn't wear my fuzzy slippers... :)
Deletecongrats to Beverly!!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to read Bloom & Doom!!
yes, I would like to be entered for the giveaway!!!!
thank you!!!
You are definitely in the drawing. Please check back through the week and enter again, and contact us privately at our email address above or safely leave your email address here:
Deleteemailaddres (at) provider.com so we can contact you. Thanks!
I believe Cyn has liked my fb page, so I should be able to contact her if she wins. But yes, it would be very helpful for people entering to leave their email addresses.
Deletesorry about that!!!!
Deletecyn209 at juno dot com
I'm so happy for you and so glad this day has finally come!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dina. Technically, it's tomorrow, but that's OK. I'm already excited and nervous enough. I seem to have developed an eye twitch and a bad jelly-bean habit.
DeleteI can't wait to read this book. It sounds very intriguing! And love all of the knowledge I'm getting about flowers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angie! Be sure to check back in and let us know the best way to contact you if you should win!
DeleteWahoo! So thrilled for you, my dear Beverly. Wonderful party for a wonderful book. Um, waiter, may I please have some of that pastry? Anyone tell you that you look like Sherlock? Hmm?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie!
DeleteI'm a bit hesitant to take any food offered by a guy who keeps decomposing body parts in his icebox.
ReplyDeleteOne has that problem when a member of the waitstaff is a high functioning sociopath...
ReplyDeletewell, he's entertaining and cute. "those eyes..."
DeleteI so love waiter Nathan! Oh, wait. I'm sorry, this is about Beverly! Beverly, mega congratulations! I am beyond thrilled for you. As someone who has read this book, I can guarantee all cozy readers will love it! Yay, I'm so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteDeb has a future in HR hiring waitstaff. Thanks, Suzie. :)
DeleteCongratulations, Bev/Barb! 25K? You go, girl!!
ReplyDeleteLovely party, btw. Such lovely waiters, er, um, I mean flowers. Yes, of course.
Ahem.
Julianna/DeAnna
Thanks, Julianna/DeAnna. Maybe the four of us should get together for lunch some time. Barb/Beverly
Deleteahh, now. See what I mean?
DeleteI'm thinking of writing mysteries because I want a pseudonym too. darn.
ReplyDeleteOh, of course you can have a pseudonym. We'll just call you Marvin for now.
DeleteI agree! Hi, Marvin.
DeleteHurray! Hurray! So glad this day is finally here. I can vouch for this story. It's a great story that introduces a great series!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa!
DeleteI already have my copy ordered, and it should be on my Kindle when I get up in the morning. You don't need to enter me in the drawing. I just wanted to stop by and congratulate Barbara. It's an exciting time and well deserved.
ReplyDeleteAwww...thanks, Sharon!
DeleteI wish I could reach through the screen and grab a pastry, or two. Or that I have smell-o-vision and could smell the flowers. I'd love to be entered in the drawing!
ReplyDeletecozyupwithkathy at gmail dot com.
Hey, Kathy! Consider yourself entered!
DeleteIf Castle's the waiter, can murder be far behind?
ReplyDeleteSeriously, congrats, Barbara!
Please enter me in the contest: carstairs38 @ gmail . com
You all are up later than me! You're entered, Mark!
DeleteI'm in California. It wasn't late my time at all.
DeleteI'm SOOO late to the party. Blessings, Barbara, I love this story and expect everyone else who reads it will, also!
ReplyDeleteHi, Niki! Better late than never! Thanks!
DeleteLooking forward to reading this book
ReplyDeleteFlowers and mystery, I must take a look
As I sit on the deck among flowers so fine,
Reading away, with a fresh glass of wine
I'll raise a toast to fine authors like she
Getting lost in the pages of this mystery.
I suppose it would be unfair to everyone to put your name in twice for this one entry. But this might be our first rhyming comment!
DeleteMargo responds in words most fair.
DeleteMaking us glad she took time to come here.
One word of advice--and these words will not fail.
Should you win, we're really going to need your email.
Looking forward to reading this! Please enter me in the contest.
ReplyDeleteDmskrug3(at)hotmail.com
Great! yay. Thanks Daniele, your name is in the bucket for our drawing! Thanks for stopping in!
DeleteThanks, Daniele! Hope you love it!
DeleteThis sounds cool - good luck with the new series! Please enter me in the drawing - thank you!
ReplyDeletewait, wait, come back... pants, tries to catch breath... What's your email address. Phew I really need to get in shape...
Deletethanks for stopping in Mama Cat!
Congratulations on the release of Bloom and Doom—I would so love to read this book; thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteskkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Thanks! you're in the running!. And you get my award for safe email-leaving. If you didn't get a chance to look, it seems we are posting each day on Bloom and Doom, so you can get to know more about Beverly. Warning, if you are a fan of danish pastry, this might increase your craving. it did for me. :)
DeleteHi, SK. That's so sweet. Thanks for stopping by!
Delete