It's time to celebrate with me.This has become an annual fun thing for me to do. I celebrate and give you a chance to win my books and a gift card. Even more outstanding this year is that my third book in The Ravensmoore Chronicles Series, Mystery of the Heart officially releases today, January 8th. So I'm giving away three sets of my entire series, plus three copies of Mystery of the Heart, and (2) $15.00 gift certificates from Amazon as a way of celebrating.
So you have a chance to win all three books which you can find on my books page here. Feel free to browse, read the first chapters, sign up for my newsletter if you're interested. Tell your friends to drop by and participate. To be entered to win a chance at the books and the gift cards I want you to IMAGINE that you've won an opportunity for a walk on part with your favorite character on Downton Abbey.
Now I want to know which character it is that you would want to act with in a short scene and why. :) If you have no idea what I'm talking about then go here or here. You may want to review characters anyway before you decide who you would choose. And please tell me what state you live in and leave an email addy in this format to prevent spam (name [at] aol [dot] com) so that I may reach you if you are one of the winners. The contest is open until midnight PST on the 13th and I will announce winners sometime January 14th. Void where prohibited and I'm afraid it will have to be limited to the USA.
Because I write Regency novels I would love to have used this picture on my blog for the best Jane Austen Cake I've ever seen but couldn't very well just grab it. Take a look at this baby.
http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2011/12/birthday-cake-for-jane-austen-twelfth.html
Let the party begin!
WHOO-HOO, JILL, GREAT DAY all around, girlfriend!! SUPER CONGRATS on the release and HAPPY BIRTHDAY -- hope it's the start of the BEST YEAR EVER!!
ReplyDeleteHUGS,
Julie
Thanks Julie!
DeleteHard to believe I've got three novels out. You have a great year too! Hope to see you at ACFW in September.
I would chose the Dowager Countess. It would be so fun to take part in some of her witty one liners. :)
ReplyDeleteI live in Michigan and my email addy is amandabarratt33 (at) gmail (dot) com.
Hi Amanda,
DeleteFun choice. But look out, she might come after you with those one line zingers of hers. Great to see you joining in the fun here. Stay warm in Michigan.
Blessings,
Jill
Jillian,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
I'm fortunate enough to be one of the lucky ones who got an early copy of Mystery of the Heart and I'm loving it! I especially love the unique eyes of the male lead, since my brother has the same ones! (I won't reveal what the trait is because it's so unusual and I don't want to spoil it for others)
No need to enter me in the contest since I've already got all your books :)
Christi Corbett
Christi,
DeleteI can't believe your brother has the same trait! How cool. So glad you are enjoying Lord Eden and Mercy's adventure. Have a great week!
Jill
I don't watch DA, but wanted to say congrats on the new release and happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennette!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate it!
Okay, I'll bite!
ReplyDeleteGoing with the current season, though I'm a bit late to be a walk-on, I'd love to be a scene downstair with Mrs. Hughes. I just adore her so you know I'm sniffing over this newest plot line with her health. She has a big heart, but she's no pushover. And such a soothing voice. Maybe I could be a walk-on medical person or seamstress or something minor...
problem is, the downstairs scenes are filmed in another town and not at Highclere! so -it might have to be meeting her on a walk in Downton. does that work?
Happy Birthday Dear Jillian. I loved all three books - just finished Mercy's story, so I don't need to be in the drawing!
Debra,
DeleteI can see you and Mrs. Hughs together walking arm in arm around Highclere. She'll have to be there for R&R, I hope. Do you know that if you type too fast you can write Mrs. Hugs instead of Hughes. How appropriate. Now go have a cup of tea and bless you for reading all three of my books. I love it!
Jill
It was a fun question, Jillian! I admit that I enter the Masterpiece Theater sweepstakes daily - to win a trip to Highclere. Now, if the rest of you don't-THAT'S GREAT! my odds are better!
DeleteOh wouldn't that be great fun. I can't imagine winning that. BUT I HOPE I DO! :)
DeleteHappy Birthday, Jillian!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous Jane Austen cake...it's almost too pretty to eat!
You know I'm a big DA fan, so I'd be happy to be in a scene with just about anybody. As much as I love the Dowager, though, I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of her hilariously barbed lines. So how about I'm an extra, and my character is invited to dine at the Abbey. I get to wear something fabulous, perhaps be seated by Lord Grantham, and look shocked at appropriate times.
I just finished Mercy's story--wonderful!
srdietze at sbcglobal dot net
Susie,
DeleteYou're too funny. I can see you being aghast at all the right times. So glad you liked Mystery of the Heart. And I thought that Jane Austen cake was too beautiful to eat as well. What talent to create such a confection. :)
I can see Susie doing this as well. How funny. I think I'd be quite enamored by Robert's soft countenance, until he has to roll his eyes at someone. He's getting a bit crusty these days will all that stress.
DeleteI like the way Isobel stays true to herself, cheerily causing just a bit of trouble wherever she goes.
Has everyone seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel? IF not, you need to rent it at RedBox or NetFlix or Amazon. Lovely film, touching, funny and made for anglophiles...
Hey Deb,
DeleteI got the The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for Christmas. Haven't watched it yet. Looking forward to it.
That's some kind of cake, Jillian!
ReplyDeleteWOWSER -
Looking forward to your books - LOVE them and you!
Prayers and blessings for 2013 -
I've not been able to catch Downton Abby - but boy am I hearing rave reviews.
THE WRITER MAGAZINE - I subscribe - has an excellent article in there about the EXPERT researching that went on for that show.
Hey Joy!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are joining the party.:) I have that Writer Magazine too and with Mr. Carson on the front it's sure to be a big seller. You absolutely must watch DA. I bet your library would have the first 2 seasons. Thanks for all your kind words and help this past year, Joy. I really appreciate it.
Happy New Year!
Jill
I think I would have to say I'd love a part with the Dowager Lady Grantham and Isabel Crawley. The sparks between those two are legendary. Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHi Cara,
DeleteYou are brave! I can see you sitting between the two of them now. Don't forget to duck! Thanks for the birthday greetings!
Jill
Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteWho would I like to walk along beside from Downton Abbey? Anna, I think. I like her. She's always kind to everyone without treating them as though they're too good for her or she's too good for them.
I live in Alabama, and this is where I should say "Roll Tide", but I'm not a native and don't care for college football, so ...
And...my e-mail is ginger(dot)solomon(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Ginger,
DeleteThanks for the birthday greetings. Anna is a sweetie isn't she? I love how different she and many of the others look out of costume. Fascinating! I don't follow college football too closely but my hubby does. He was rooting for Notre Dame. :)
Happy birthday, Jillian!! Cara Putmans' recommendation brought me to this page. I LOVE how authors brag on each other.
ReplyDeleteIf I could be in a scene with the upstairs gentry, I'd choose the Dowager Countess and Cora's mother, Martha Levinson...they are a hoot and really entertain in just the first two hours of Season 3. If in a scene downstairs, I'd choose Daisy. I think Daisy will come in to her own as they say this season.
I'm from Missouri and my email is (merryheart13 at hotmail dot com).
Hi Mel,
DeleteI'm so glad Cara sent you over to play. I don't know what I'd do without my author buddies. Oh we do like the Dowager Countess don't we? I've been looking up info. on Cora and I just found this. http://downtonabbey.wikia.com/wiki/Cora_Crawley,_Countess_of_Grantham (I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. I JUST SAW TWO MAJOR SPOILERS ON THIS PAGE SO DON'T GO TO IT UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE REALLY FRUSTRATED KNOWING WHAT'S TO COME. :( THEY MUST HAVE DONE THIS BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY BEEN SHOWN IN THE U.K.
I was reading a page about Cora's history, then I saw the spoiler, which is not mentioned here. Since I live in Cincinnati I am particularly fond of this statement on the page mentioned. :)
"Born Cora Levinson in Cincinnati on July 18, 1868, she was the only daughter of a dry goods multi-millionaire, Isidore Levinson and his wife Martha Levinson, and had an Aunt.[1] Cora has a strained relationship with her mother[2]."
So the histories of everyone are listed which is cool, but not until after you've seen the series. Can you tell how freaked out I am?
And Daisy is wonderful. Have you seen what she looks like in contemporary society? So different. Not plain at all.
Yes, I did see Daisy on a morning show along with other cast members. Thanks for the trivia on the Levinson family. So excited for tonight's second show of Season 3.
DeleteHappy Birthday, Jillian! I loved the cake and I enjoyed learning more about your books. Contratulations on the release of Mystery of the Heart. They look like delighful stories! I am a big Downton Abbey fan, and If I could be in a scene with any of the actors, I would choose the Dowager Countess. I love her witt and great lines. I am from New Jersey, and my email address is carrie (at) turansky (dot) com.
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie!
DeleteI didn't know you were from New Jersey.I lived and worked in north Jersey for awhile way back in the late 70's. Thanks for the congrats and B-day greetings. After all these years of writing it's hard to believe I've completed my first series. We have a lot of Dowager Countess fans here. I only want to be in a scene with her if she's on my side.:)
Wouldn't it be fun to be in a scene with the Dowager Countess? But she always gets the upper hand in any scene so maybe I'd go with Edith.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! Today is my husband's birthday and my sister's!
mstegman2@embarqmail.com
Hi Michele,
DeleteNow Edith is an interesting choice. I want to know more about that. Thanks for the B-day greeting. And Happy Birthday to your hubby and sister. Thanks for joining the party.
I'm a new fan to the show. Just started watching it a couple of weeks ago with season 2 reruns. Loving it!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be in a scene with Cora's mother. Oh my! She's hilarious.
Amy C
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
Hi Amy,
DeleteHow wise of you to be a fan. :) I think you mean Cora's Mother-in-Law, Violet the Dowager Countess. Shirley McClain plays Cora's mother who shows up in season 3. But you are right, the Dowager is hilarious. My head is starting to spin with all these characters and who's related to who. So glad you could join the party.
OH my ... I'll bite. I'm an incurable romantic. I'd have to have a walk-on part with Michael Crowley. If I could drown in his blue eyes for a while and walk off set I'd be happy :)
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY! :)
Hi Jaime,
DeleteYou are an incurable romantic and I love it. I think you're the first to pick one of the men for your walk on scene. :)
It would be Matthew Crawley, not Michael. However, it would be cool if Matthew had a single brother named Michael who looked like him!
DeleteMatthew Crawley is a wonderful character and I wouldn't mind playing a scene with him either, unless Mary was around. She might kill me!
Happy birthday!!
ReplyDeleteI would want a part with Anna, because I'm really nosy and would want to peek in all the drawers and such! Then I'd want a part with Thomas--I want to punch that man! Hope that would be part of the scene... :)
I'm in Ohio and my email addy is jrkemer(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Thanks!
Hi Jill,
DeleteAlways nice to have another Jill around. Anna is fun and Thomas really pushes the limits doesn't he? I didn't know you lived in Ohio too. Thanks for helping me celebrate.
Hey Jillian, happy happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteI like Sybil's independent spirit. Maybe I could help take care of the baby ... seeing that I'm going to be getting a lot of practice anyway!
I live around the corner from you and you know my email address :)
Diane,
ReplyDeleteYou're so funny. Today is my birthday!!! Celebrate, celebrate. I stayed home from work and slept till 10:30. Sybil is also who I would pick. I can imagine plotting some scheme to attack a social injustice and having great fun getting into trouble while you take care of the baby for the evening. :) Thanks for joining the party.
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the various prizes. I own the first two books in the Ravensmoore series and am eager to read Mystery of the Heart.
If I could meet someone from Downtwon Abbey it would be the cook Mrs. Patmore. Perhaps she could share with me some of her recipes and I would leave the scene with a greater appreciation of modern appliances.
I'm in Florida, my email: arieljo12(at)hotmail(dot)com
Blessings
Janella
Hi J. Grace,
DeleteAh, Mrs. Patmore. She's a great character. She may be gruff at times but I think she's got a really good heart. And you can't go wrong with a scene where she might feed you! :) So happy you've read the first 2 novels in the series. You'll like Mystery of the Heart. Let me know sometime which one you enjoyed most. I'm a native born Florida girl from Dade County but didn't grow up there. Thanks for joining the party!
Happy Birthday, Jillian. I tweeted.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ella!
DeleteHappy Birthday,Jillian! This is my first visit to your blog. I was reading about you on another blog and worked my way over here to you. I haven't, yet, watched any of the DA episodes, but I am sure I would enjoy the series, from all the good comments I've heard. I looked over the characters and decided I might like to be in a scene with Martha, since she likes to annoy people and dislikes tradition and propriety. It might be fun to go up against her and see how that turns out. Congratulations on your series. I hope 2013 is a good year for you and your writing.
ReplyDeletemay_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)
I live in Tennessee.
Hi Kay,
ReplyDeleteSo happy you found your way here. Martha Levinson could be challenging. :) Thanks for the birthday greetings. Hope you read the series sometime.
I'm bit too young to play Maggie, but she is my favorite character. She has the best humor.
ReplyDeleteI probably could do a good Anna. We are of similar ages, both blonde, and I really love her sweet disposition and devotion to her husband.
PS I just used the actresses name, Maggie Smith. Oops! She is the one who plays the Dowager Countess Violet.
DeletePS. I just had to answer your challenge, even though it is too late. AND I wanted to wish you a VERY HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY and MANY congratulations on your 3rd book coming out! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePPS
Whatever will you do with all your extra time now? Oh, Book signings!