Monday, December 15, 2014

Celebrating Gina Welborn's "Masterpiece Marriage"...and a Giveaway!



Snowy Victorian House
It's December outside but inside, it's May, just like in Gina's book!
Susanne here. Come in from the cold and join springtime in our virtual party! Today we're celebrating tomorrow's release of our own Gina Welborn's Masterpiece Marriage, a Quilts of Love Book. Shake the snow from your coat and let me take your hat and gloves!
Never mind me taking your coat. Our server (who inspired the looks of Gina's hero) will take your coat.
One of the Inkies is pretending to have trouble with her coat. I won't say who.

You're welcome to admire the display of quilts. Speaking of quilts, isn't the quilt on the book cover exquisite? I covet it--there, I've admitted it. The stitching is gorgeous. (And wouldn't you know, Gina found an antique quilt that inspired the cover of the book. Way to go, Gina!)
Available here!
What else is that on the cover? Tomatoes? Why, yes, because the heroine of the 1891-set novel, Mary, has spent two years studying them, hoping to obtain a position as a research assistant at an agricultural research station. So we're having a feast of tomato-inspired virtual fare for our party. (These are vine-ripened, delicious tomatoes from the hothouse, so they taste incredible.)

Would you care for a tomato sandwich? It goes perfectly with a cup of tea.
tomato-sandwich-for-web.jpg
Bacon, Tomato, & Bleu Cheese on Foccacia

While you're enjoying your sandwich, here's the scoop on the book:

After a flood damages the looms at Zenus Dane’s Philadelphia textile mill and the bank demands loan payment, Zenus turns to his aunt for help repurposing his textiles. Trouble is . . . his aunt has already been hired by the lovely yet secretive Englishwoman Mary Varrs. Eager to acquire his aunt’s quilt patterns, Zenus attends the summer Quilting Bee, a social event his aunt has uniquely designed with the secret purpose of finding Zenus a wife. However Zenus only has eyes for Mary, but Mary has no such desire for him. Though his aunt is determined to design a masterpiece marriage, both Zenus and Mary will have to overcome their stubborn ways. Can he realize that love requires stepping out of his routine? And will she recognize that following her heart doesn’t mean sacrificing her ambition?

I love this book. It is light but filled with heart-tugging moments, fast-paced and fun to read. Gina's voice is fabulous.

But back to the party.
Soup, ladies?
Oh, my, it's the Soup Man. And from his knowing smile and the twinkle in his eye, it is evident he knows how much I love a good tomato bisque.

Look at the cute little grilled cheese sandwiches!
Adorable
Another server!
Appetizers, anyone? While you eat, I'll give you the scoop on the Hobbit movie releasing the same time as Gina's book.
Yes, please.

Oh, these are good.
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Delicious

What's this? More tomato fare?
Hugh Jackman
Would you care for dessert?

Oh these are too cute. Just perfect.
No tomato taste here, just butter and sugar.
The weather outside may be frightful, the party is so delightful. Let it Snow, and stay inside where there's plenty of tomato-inspired treats, pretty quilts to admire, and fun chit chat about Gina's book.

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of Masterpiece Marriage! A winner will be drawn Friday, Dec 19, 11:59 EST.

And congratulations to Gina! Well done, friend!

23 comments:

  1. Hi, Susanne! I love the premise of Gina's book and appreciate the opportunity to participate in the contest. Blessings!

    bizzysyb[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sybil! I'm so glad you can come by and join the celebration! Gina's book is a lot of fun and I'm so glad you entered the giveaway. Have a fabulous day!

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    2. Thanks, Sybil, for stopping by! I'm glad you like the premise for my book. It was a fun one to write. Deb Marvin was my gardening expert.

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  2. I absolutely loved this story. If you get a chance to read it, do so. Then you'll khow why. Excellent post Niki, I can hardly tear my eyes away.

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    Replies
    1. I may not be Niki but I thought you'd enjoy the pics all the same, Deb!

      I love the story, too. So much fun!

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    2. The delicious pictures of tomatoes scrambled her brain.

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  3. I may need to take my coat off again. The temperature in the room keeps fluctuating.

    Thanks, Susie, for arranging such a delightful party. The food looks so tasty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you're enjoying the party, Gina!

      BTW, all recipes are linked under the photos.

      I have been so hungry for tomato bisque since putting this party (er, menu) together. Not just because of the Soup Man.

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    2. Thanks for pointing out those links. I missed noticing them...

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  4. Congratulations, Gina! I believe this was the story that beat out mine in this series, eh. For good reason! I can't wait to read it because it involves 2 of things I enjoy - seed storage and reproduction, and quilting.

    Great party, Susie. Thanks for hosting it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're sure to enjoy reading it, Anita Mae!

      Glad you're enjoying the party.

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    2. Anita, do share your thoughts when you finish the story. :-)

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  5. Great, now I'm craving tomatoes, right after I put the last of my aerogarden tomatoes into a Margherita pizza. But congrats, Gina!

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  6. Congratulations Gina!
    I've so enjoyed reading Gina's previous works and look forward to reading this one too -- bonus if I win it! Thanks for the opportunity to enter the draw.

    I love tomatoes and so the food looks delicious! After all the Christmas goodies lately, this food looks healthier.

    elaineking1 at hotmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Glad you could come join the celebration, Elaine! Gina is a fabulous storyteller! You're entered into the drawing.

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  7. Gina! Congratulations! I'm looking forward to reading this book. I love the cover. I love the heroine studying tomatoes. Smart heroines are my favorite.

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    Replies
    1. I love smart heroines, too! You'll enjoy this book, Suzie!

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  8. I'm going to enjoy every bite of these virtual tomatoes since I've discovered I can't eat real ones anymore and I miss them. Congrats to Gina on anothet release!!! You go girl.

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    Replies
    1. Oh no, Dina, that's so sad! What a bummer. About the tomatoes, I mean. Not your congrats to Gina, lol.

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  9. So excited about your new book. The quilt on the cover looks divine. Tomatoes are vile (unless made into ketchup or stew broth or pizza sauce), but RA looks tasty enough to offset that.

    Congratulations! :D

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  10. "You say tom-a-to, I say tom-ah-to" Either pronunciation will do when the fare looks just as splendid as the servers. Dessert is my favorite....

    Congratulations on the new book, Gina. What a wonderful plot summary. I am ready to break out the quilting needles.

    Congratulations on having such dreamy servers, Susie! Your taste is impeccable as always.

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How Our Giveaways Work: The Official Rules

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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