On
this day in 1815, the United Kingdom, Austria, and France form a secret
defensive alliance treaty against Prussian and Russia.
Oh,
the Regency Era is full of intrigue, secrets, and changing alliances …. on the battlefield and in the ballrooms!
It
is my privilege to host Regency author Anne Gracie - she is celebrating the release of BRIDE BY
MISTAKE:
And while they remain bound to their vows, they never expected that the passionate fury they share could become passion of a different kind.
 |
| Chalkies Beach |
Anne’s bio is fascinating .... let's play seven degress of separation!
1. Anne grew up in a family of “chalkies” and became a chalkie herself.
2. Chalkie is Australian slang for teacher.
3. Today's teachers guide their students in overcoming challenges - the greatest example is Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller.
4. Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller received honorary fellowships from the Educational Institute of Scotland.
5. Anne Gracie has lived in Scotland, Malaysia and Greece.
6. From Anne’s bio, “We travelled through Europe in a caravan and I'd swum most of the famous rivers in Europe by the time I was eight.”
7. Anne’s heroine, Isabella, waited eight years for her prince to come.
You don’t have to wait any longer! I am giving away a print copy of BRIDE BY MISTAKE to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about something special you for which you waited - a special dress, jewelry, or vacation?
I wanted new furniture when I married my husband ... but I waited 4 years 'til he was selected for promotion to Major to purchase a new bedroom set!
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, January 7, 10 pm. I’ll announce the winner on Sunday, January 8.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Anne and her books, including links to purchase, check out her website at www.annegracie.com.
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| Anne pays tribute to Barbara Cartland. |
Something special would be the vacation I took last year. we took a cruise to the British Isles and loved it.
ReplyDeleteOh, Debby, that is a special trip. I've traveled on ships, but I've never been on a cruise. They sound like fun.
ReplyDeleteI have a very good friend who is in Hawaii right now visiting her military boyfriend. The pictures she's sending back are gorgeous. Jealous! We sold our home in August in 8 days! I'm not complaining, mind you, we just weren't ready yet. We hadn't even broke ground on our new house! But four months later, and finally moved in, All's well! Would love a chance to win your book. I love how he's going to go and collect her, like she was lost or something.
ReplyDeleteHmm... I waited seventeen years to meet my dad and my half brothers and sisters. Does that count?
ReplyDeleteHi Kim and Anne,
ReplyDeletespecial for me that i waited maybe find my true love ;)
My best friend has given me the book for my birthday, so don't enter me in the contest, but I wanted to say that the first Anne Gracie book I read was The Perfect Waltz, and I've been hooked ever since, collecting every book I could find. I've been writing for a lot of years now, and finally received an offer from Desert Breeze Publishing writing as Laurel Hawkes. It was worth every agonizing moment.
ReplyDeleteI waited to take half of my vacation (2 weeks) until the end of 2011 so that I could have the week before and after the Christmas holidays at home and I also waited to buy a Kindle. Both were worth the wait:) Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I can wait as long as Isabella did, but I wait impatiently for my favorite band to tour again and come back to my area every year. :D
ReplyDeleteI've waited for a few vacations because we normally book them well in advance. In fact, I'm waiting for our next which will be in November.
ReplyDeleteI wanted a Jewelry armoire for the longest time, but they are expensive and I didn't have the money for it. So I started saving all my survey points and money I made doing surveys online. It took me a whole year of saving all my points and amazon gift cards from doing those surveys. The best thing was that I essentially was able to get an almost 3ft tall Jewelry armoire for free.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting. Our house is old and it needs lots of things replaced and repaired.
ReplyDeleteI waited for 3 long years to try and get pregant. Then it finally happened and then miscarried 2 months later. 7 months later than found out I was pregant again. I now have a fanastic daughter who is 9 years old. she reminds me a lot of me. She is very sassy and thinks that everything should go here way.
ReplyDeleteThis books sounds great and would love to win and read.
christinebails@yahoo.com
I waited awhile to get married -- I did not get married until I was in my late 30's. At time I was ready to settle down.
ReplyDeleteMy something special that I waited for was my husband! I had been engaged when I was in college but realized that my fiancee didn't have a "true heart" - one which was steadfast and loyal.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years later when I met my husband I realized I had met a true gentleman in all senses. The year was 1969 and he was serving in the Navy. He had given up the opportunity to go to college to serve his country.
He has always shown by his actions not thru words his care for his family. He consider himself a Dad not a "babysitter", a coach not a critic, and even though he never was one for poetry or flowers he always told me how much I was loved by actions and caring (occasionally cooking dinner and doing the dishes is nice well!).
That would have to be my 25th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. It should have taken place in 2005, but..With two daughters getting married, the first in 2004 and the second in 2006 our 25th celebration didn't occur until 2008.
ReplyDeleteHubs and I finally said the heck with it and spent an entire week in Orlando, FL, at Walt Disney World. We had a BLAST!
I've always wanted something from Tiffany's and I finally got a lovely necklace as a graduation present.
ReplyDeleteI have waited all my life to be an author. I have always loved to write; I wrote my first short story when I was in the second grade. I have never had the time to devote to truly becoming an author until now. My husband joined the Air Force and now I am able to stay home with my son and read and write to my heart's content. I am finally where I can devote the time and effort that I need to realize my dreams. My wait for the opportunity is over, my wait for the realization has just begun and I intend to treasure every moment.
ReplyDelete~Bridget J.
Something special I waited for? My daughter. It took me 8 years and finally fertility pills in order to get pregnant. Certainly worth the wait! ;O
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. I'd forgotten how flamboyant Barbara Cartland was. A trip to Italy was something I waited years for and what a wonderful vacation that was.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Shelley, moving house is the pits, but settling into a new house is fun, I think. We moved heaps when I was a kid. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, Rachel, that's an amazing story. How cool to finally meet the rest of your family.
ReplyDeleteI wish I was in Hawaii, but alas, I'm not.
Waving to Eli, and yes, may you find your true love.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I'm so thrilled that you've found a publisher and will be starting a whole new career. Congratulations! And thank you for the kind words about my books.
Maria, it's worth the wait to have holidays at the time that suits you best, even if you're desperate for a day off. And a kindle... I'm sure you're going to enjoy that.
ReplyDeleteJulie, you'd wait as long as Isabella if you were stuck in a remote mountain convent school. LOL The moment she turns 21 she's planning to be out of there.
Linda, that's a long time to wait for a vacation. I hope when November comes it's a very special time for you.
ReplyDeleteMary, what a terrific story. The armoire will be precious to you, not only because it's beautiful and useful, but also because of how hard you worked for it. But I wouldn't call it free. :)
Carol, I know just how you feel — my house is in desperate need of renovation and I'm hoping I can finally
ReplyDeleteI hope you get yours done, too.
Chris, a precious daughter is something indeed worth all the trials and waiting. Give her a hug and remind her how special she is.
Danielle, I think it's great that you had some time to live as a single gal before you settled into marriage. Some people need time to explore who they are and I think that self-knowledge and surety can give strength to a marriage.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, what a wonderful love letter to a husband. He sounds like a lovely man, and very much worth waiting for. Hugs to you both.
Artemis, congratulations on the belated 25th anniversary. I'm sure it was worth putting it off for the weddings, and hey, if you hadn't, you wouldn't have had such a blast of a holiday!
ReplyDeleteJane, how lovely. A necklace from Tiffanys — a gorgeous present and certainly worth waiting for. You'll treasure it for years to come and hand it down to a daughter with the story. Maybe it's even the start of a family tradition.
I waited almost 20 years to go back to Ireland after visiting after college. I hope it doesn't take another 20 before I visit again!
ReplyDeleteBridget, what a lovely plan you have in place. So many people dream of being an author, and never do anything about it. All the best of good luck.
ReplyDeleteA recent "wait" for me was for my kindle! I treated myself to it after I had quit smoking for 6 months. Now that it has been over a year, I am saving for a Kindle Fire. I keep trying to win one, but in the meantime, I will continue to save for one.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds great. I love books where the characters marry for convenience or because she is compromised, and then have to learn to live with, and love, each other. It is really good when they are separated for years, generally this allows the characters to grow, mature, and generally the heroines become independent and more than a little angry at being neglected, lol.
Karen, that's a lovely story, too. I hope your daughter knows how special she is. It's wonderful how medicine can improve fertility these days.
ReplyDeleteHi Cozy in Texas, thanks for dropping by. That's me dressed as Barbara Cartland — it was for a Romance Writers of Australia party. Our conferences always kick off with a costume event, and that year was "come as your own fantasy." ;)
Hi there, LilMissMolly. Ireland is a beautiful place, isn't it? I hope you don't have to wait as long again.
ReplyDeleteJune, congratulations on quitting smoking! It's very hard to do — i know, I used to be a smoker many years ago. I'm so glad I kicked it back then. And a kindle sounds like a great reward. Hope you get many fabulous books on it.
I love a marriage of convenience story, too and i hope you enjoy this one. Thanks for dropping in to chat.
I waited years to visit Scotland again.
ReplyDeleteAnne - I didn't stop to think when I was writing my special 'wait' to include that my daughter is now in her 30's - for which she will kill me for saying! But she's still very special...
ReplyDeleteOh, Chey, Scotland is so beautiful — maybe I'll come with you! ;) I haven't been to Scotland for such a long time. I want to revisit the village where we lived for a year — I haven't been there since I was a child.
ReplyDeleteKaren, doesn't matter how old she is — she still needs a hug and to be told how special she is. Take it from me. I miss my mum.
I am putting this to the top of my list...
ReplyDeleteI am Still waiting for my dream Vacation well 2 trips Always wanted to tour the outer Hebrides Islands, go to Hawaii okay 3 Alaska no 4 New Zealand K I better stop.
It has been a dream for a long time I would really like to tour Scotland's Castles Ring of Brodgar & all the Hebrides Islands.
Have a good one Ann/alba
I always wanted to go to England and in 2001 I finally made it at age 58 wwith my sister and cousin. We also visited Scotland and 14 days of wonder and awe.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win Ann's book. Thanks
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have been waiting a long time for the next Anne Gracie book! I am looking forward to reading BRIDE BY MISTAKE!
ReplyDeleteSue
Sorry I deleted my own comment! I am so glad that many of the readers have been able to travel - it opens up the world! But a visit to Merry Ole England makes it more fun to read Regency romances!
ReplyDeletethank you Anne, all the best for you too ;)
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted my own home. This was something I strived for. Just over 20 years ago I was finally able to purchase my 'castle'. Well, worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteHey, Alba, you can go first to Hawaii and then to NZ and then on to Australia — and it's only ONE trip. ;) And maybe I'll come with you to Scotland if Chey stands me up. :)
ReplyDeleteHi MissKallie, it sounds like a dream trip, and so lovely that you could go with your sister. Did you get on Ok with her? I know when my sisters get together it gets very. . .bossy! (sez the youngest ;)
Thanks, Sue, I hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteKim, you're allowed to delete anything you like.
Marybelle, a home of your very own is an achievement to be very proud of. Congratulations. certainly worth the wait.
Hi Anne and Kim, One of the things that was special for me and that I had to wait for was for my son and his family to come home for Christmas. He works in London now, and I hadn't seen them for a very long time. It made the wait worthwhile but, the time flew by so quickly and they're now back in London. I now have to wait 6 months until I see them again. It's so hard not having them here, I'm missing my beautiful granddaughter becoming a young lady. I can't go over and visit them as they left their little dog with me to look after.
ReplyDelete"Bride By Mistake" sounds like a wonderful read. Thank you for the contest.
dpd333 (at) aol dot com
I waited 15 years to have kids. We both worked and were trying to save money (which you can never really set aside enough for that lol) and my husband is an only child and he needed convincing lol. We have two wonderful grown daughters that were well worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I waited until he retired to go on our first long post-kids vacation. We took a three-week European trip this summer.
ReplyDeleteBride By Mistake sounds like a fun read. I'm looking forward to it.
Diane, that's something worth waiting for, for sure. It's so hard when family is so far away. And especially when there are littlies — they grow up so fast.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by.
Catslady, it's hard to have to wait, but I'm sure you made a really sensible decision, waiting until you were more financially secure. Kids need to be enjoyed and you need to be less stressed for that to happen.
ReplyDeleteI saw an interview with a young hooligan recently and he said "Mom and Dad were always working." They were working for their son's benefit and future, no doubt, but they lost him because they didn't spend the time with him. So sad.
Thanks LSUReader, I hope you enjoy the book.
ReplyDeleteA trip to Europe sounds just the ticket — i had friends who were in Europe recently and did a lot of wistful sighing at their gorgeous photos and stories.
Thanks for chatting.
I waited 5 years and 15 days from our engagement until marriage. I told him "Either come here and marry me or that's it." He came to GA from TX and married me. We've been married for 22 years. He was definitely worth the wait!
ReplyDeleteI waited 5 years and 15 days from our engagement until marriage. I told him "Either come here and marry me or that's it." He came to GA from TX and married me. We've been married for 22 years. He was definitely worth the wait!
ReplyDeleteI really wanted a pair of black patent Christian Louboutin stilletos. They are very expensive and I saved up for them for a while. I was going on a quick trip to Las Vegas and I knew there was a CL store in my hotel. I was lucky that they had one pair in my size. The funny thing is that the next day I won enough money on the slot machines to cover the cost of the shoes. Now I say they are the shoes I won in Vegas. ;)
ReplyDeletegeishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
I am now waiting for the right time to sell our house.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for a house to call my own. My dream house would have character and be on a large property. I want to wake up to breathtaking views from the windows in "my" house.
ReplyDeleteI went to Alaska this summer with my family on a cruise. It was beautiful and a vacation of a lifetime.
ReplyDelete