Most of my friends have left me. I feel a bit bereft. Oh sure, I’m thrilled for Sheila, who won a major design contest with a grand prize of a scrapbooking cruise. But I’m not thrilled that she took both Paige and Vera with her. DeeAnn and I stayed at home for different reasons, but here we are in cold, gray Cumberland Creek, while they are off to sail the gorgeous Caribbean.
DeeAnn stayed at home because this is a very busy time of the year for her bakery and I stayed home because it’s Hannukah. My husband Mike and I decided a long time ago that it was important to stay at home with the boys, when we could, for the holidays. So, while I have a great reason for being at home, I still miss my friends.
I have to admit that I’m even a bit worried about them—as is Beatrice, who hates cruises. Given half a chance, she will hold forth about the dangers of cruises and how she’d not go on one if it was the last vacation option available on Earth.
I don’t feel quite that strongly, but I kind of see where she is coming from. Cruises have never been at the top of my vacation list.
But this cruise is special, of course, in that it’s a “scrapbooking” cruise. Many of the world’s most famous scrapbooking and paper craft designers are on board. Paige, Sheila, and Vera will be learning from the pros. That would be interesting. Imagine all that creativity on one ship!
And perhaps the most exciting thing for all of us is that Sheila will be interviewed by several of the design companies. Great things are happening for her. It’s her time and it’s fabulous to witness.
In the mean time, DeeAnn and I look forward to texts and Skype calls from them as they cruise. Modern technology is fabulous. (For the most part.) It does help in keeping in touch. Here’s hoping for smooth sailing for my friends.
You can read more about Annie in A Crafty Christmas, the fourth book in the “Cumberland Creek” mystery series, published by Kensington. The first book in the series is Scrapbook of Secrets.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on October 21 for the chance to win a copy of A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
Mollie Cox Bryan first book in Cumberland Creek Mysteries, Scrapbook of Secrets, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel of 2012 and was selected by B & N as a mystery to watch. Other books in the series are: SCRAPPED, DEATH OF AN IRISH DIVA, SCRAPPY SUMMER (e-novella), A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS, and SCRAPBOOK OF THE DEAD (forthcoming 2015).
She is also the author of the regional bestselling MRS. ROWE’S LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHERN PIES (Random House 2009) and MRS. ROWE’S RESTAURANT COOKBOOK: A LIFETIME OF RECIPES FROM THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY (Ten Speed Press, 2006).
She has worked for years as a freelance food journalist with articles published in Taste of the South, NPR’s Kitchen Window, and Grit Magazine, among others. She lives in Waynesboro, Va. with her husband and two daughters.
I would love to win this book. Thanks.
Love holiday themed cozies 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
Looks like fun:-)
Such a good series!! Thx for the giveaway!!!
Sounds like a great book! Would love to win! Thanks for the chance!
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
This is a new to me series, but it sounds really good !
I’d love to read this. Love Christmas based stories
Love Molly Cox Bryan! I want this one, too.
Awww, thanks, Amy!
This one sounds like fun. I have been meaning to start reading Molly Cox Bryan. This might be the one that gets me hooked.
I would love to take one of these “themed” cruises.
I don’t know how I missed this cozy author but she is now on my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway.
I LOVE to hear that! Enjoy!
Thanks, Dru and Annie/Mollie. A Christmas cozy…what fun! I’ve never been on a cruise. Bet these ladies won’t forget theirs! 🙂
Sounds like a great series.
I just love the cover and it sounds like a great book!!
Sounds a like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’m a craftsy person so I enjoy books with a craft theme. this sounds like a great read. thanks.
Thanks so much for all the comments! I’d LOVE to take a scrapbooking cruise or any kind of crafting cruise…um…come to think of it ANY cruise might be nice. 😉 thanks for having me on the blog today Dru Ann. You rock, my friend!
Mollie is just great. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
Hey, thanks. 😉
Perhaps I can get inspired to dig out those scrapbooks and get to it. 😛 Haven’t been on a scrapbooking cruise, so maybe I can vicariously through this book.
I used to be a big craft person, between painting, jewelry making and many other things, but due to changes in my life I don’t do them very much anymore, but it is fun to read about crafting and all that kind of activity that I did for so many years, and then have it be a great cozy mystery incorporating these things is a perfect book for me and other crafters too.
Maybe reading this book will get me back to wanting to do some of my scrapbook things and art again.
Thank you for the giveaway.
Have a lovely weekend.
Cynthia
Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for a chance to win a copy of A Crafty Christmas. This sounds like a series I would like to try.
I haven’t tried this series yet, but it does look interesting. Thanks for the suggestion.
This series looks good and I would love a copy.
I like your having a JEWISH friend in there. I live in a very mixed neighborhood, and though my family is definitely into every meaning of the CHRISTMAS season, we love sharing other’s traditions too. Scrapbooking is such a great way to preserve these memories!!
Thanks so much! Annie is one of the main characters in the book. And I agree–it’s wonderful sharing different traditions. Cheers!
Christmas seems like a perfect time for crafting and scrapbooking—maybe not murder. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I agree it’s not a good time of year for a murder–but then again, it’s never a good time, is it? 😉
I like this series and I am looking forword to the new one.
So glad to hear that!
I do enjoy holiday themed cozies. Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for the chance to win
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Crafty and Christmas just seem to go together. Something made rather than purchased is always more special. Murder on a cruise ship – where you can’t just leave – sounds like a good read.
A new series to check out!! Not very crafty but I love to learn all about the crafts that others do.
scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com
I wan to read this
This is a fun series. I have to catch up on my reading!
Sounds like a fun read. I love books about Christmas and the cover is so pretty. Thanks for this chance.
I love Christmas cozies (and ones for Halloween or any holiday!). Great cover.
Thanks Mollie for interacting with my readers.
contest is closed.