Hello, Gentle Reader, and welcome to the first annual British Blooms and Books giveaway! This week, we’d like to celebrate the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show with you. After enjoying this post, please visit each of the other five authors’ websites (links provided below) and, after a bit of reading fun, follow one simple instruction given in each post, and then leave a comment on each to be entered to win a fabulous, British Blooms and Books prize. (US entries only, please, due to shipping the petit fours.) Thank you for stopping by!
Visiting English Gardens
Hi Friend, Carrie here….
The Garden at Highclere Castle ~ Downton Abbey
I’ve been blessed to take two research trips to England in recent years, and visiting gardens there has been one of the highlights of those trips for me! In September 2012 my husband and I visited Highclere Castle and spent time in the gardens before we toured the house. We walked through the walled flower garden, the all white garden, and the secret garden. What a fun experience to see where Downton Abbey was filmed and imagine the characters there with me. In The Governess of Highland Hall several scenes take place in the gardens and greenhouse, so I had those memories of Highclere to help me visualize my characters as I wrote those scenes.
Cathy Gohlke and Carrie Turansky visit Tyntesfield ~ Highland Hall.
In 2014 I returned to England with my author friend Cathy Gohlke and we visited Scotland, The Lake District, and Tyntesfield, the estate I had in mind as I wrote the Highland Hall novels. Touring the house and gardens there was very inspiring! In The Daughter of Highland Hall the heroine, Kate Ramsey, and her aunt visit the Royal Horticultural Society Exhibition in London, which was held on the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital. It was so successful that the Chelsea Flower Show has been held there since 1913. I enjoyed reading about the history of the flower show and adding some of that information to The Daughter of Highland Hall, including the Royal Family’s appearance at the event.
The third book in the series, A Refuge at Highland Hall, takes place during World War One. Penny Ramsey brings orphans to Highland to escape the bombing in London. Taking the children outdoors to spend time in the gardens and parkland was one of the ways Penny kept the children busy. Those memories of my visits to Highclere and Tyntesfield helped me bring those garden scenes to life in my books.
Carrie and Cathy at Inverarary Castle, Scotland
I hope you enjoyed this virtual garden tour! To enter the grand prize drawing: Please sign up for my newsletter (the sign up box at the top on the right of this page) and comment below. If you are already a subscriber just mention that in your comment.
One grand prize winner who comments on each of the six authors’ websites and agrees to the boldfaced condition posted at the end of each post will win a signed copy of the six books plus delivery of six English hat petit fours to enjoy while you read! Winner’s name will be drawn via random.org after May 28th.
Tea Hat Petit Fours. (Photo from Divine Delights)
Finished? Well done! Please visit these five other fabulous authors of English historical novels to see what flowers mean to them and their heroines.
Sandra Byrd’s Page: http://www.sandrabyrd.com/british-blooms-and-books-giveaway/
Melanie Dickerson’s Page: http://melaniewrites.blogspot.com/2016/05/british-blooms-and-books-6-book-giveaway.html
Kristi Ann Hunter’s Page: http://www.kristiannhunter.com/#!british-blooms-and-books/dtpk9
Julie Klassen’s Page: http://inspiredbylifeandfiction.com/british-blooms-and-books-giveaway/
Roseanna White’s Page: http://roseannamwhite.blogspot.com/2016/05/british-blooms-and-books-contest.html
I just subscribed! And I can’t wait to read your new books!!
Yay, Haley, you are the first person to visit and sign up! Thanks! I hope you enjoy the British Blooms and Books blog tour and giveaway!
Thank you for your beautiful post and grand giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Hi Melanie, Glad you stopped by today!
Signed up for your newsletter! I’ve never read any of your books, but I believe I found a new author that I’ll love reading. Can’t wait!!
Hi Julie, I hope you will enjoy reading my books!
Your book covers are sooo beautiful! All of the research that you do to make your books more genuine is amazing! Loved this blog and all of your beautiful pictures!!!!
Hi Becky, I enjoy the research. That’s how I find the stories. I’m researching a new book now, and it’s going to include some history about the beginning of aviation in Britain in the early 1900s. Those were very daring flights!
Loved your blog pictures. Signed up for your newsletter. Thank you so much for sharing/hosting the giveaway. Here’s hoping!
Thanks Anne!
Signed up for your newsletter! I have never read any of your books, but the covers have drawn me in. I think you may have a new reader!
Hi Stacey, I am very happy with my covers! Thanks for the compliments!
I’ve been blessed to give some input for the models, clothing, and hats. That’s been fun. Happy Reading!
I signed up. I love your books.
Thank you, Dianna!
I subscribed! Thanks for the giveaway!
You are most welcome, Samantha! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, Carrie. I already receive your newsletter and as you know I love your books. Have a blessed and happy day.
Hi Lucy, thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy visiting all six posts. I love these authors’ books!
I haven’t read any of your books, but they’re going onto my reading list now! Signed up for your newsletter.
Hi Katherine, thanks for adding my books to your reading list! I hope you enjoy your time at Highland Hall!
Already a subscriber! Your pictures are beautiful; I love the lavender lining the walkway (or that’s what I’m assuming it is).
Hi Rachael, you’re right. That is lavender lining the wall at Highclere gardens. Lovely and it smelled so nice!
Beautiful photos, Carrie! Fun to see some of the inspiration for your books.
So thrilled by this giveaway! Wonderful novels!
I’m already a subscriber, but would love to win any of these books. English romance books always have been my favorite. Thanks.
I just subscribed. I love the style of your books. I cannot wait to read them. They are on my to read list! I am so excited about this giveaway!
Your books are always so enjoyable to read! I just signed up for your newsletter, Are you in the process of writing another book?
Hi Jennifer, I just turned in my next book to my editor. The title is Shine Like the Dawn, and it releases February 2017. I’m researching the next story after that now. : )
I really enjoy your books. And I love that you’re reading Anne of Green Gables right now-even though it’s not British, it is my all time favorite books.
Hi Carrie
I signed up for your newsletter and look forward to reading it. I have your books in my TBR pile and can’t wait to read them.
My twins recently came back from serving missions in England and this has sparked a real interest in anything and everything English! Some of the friends they met over there came over to the states to visit and made us some Yorkshire pudding. YUM
What a fabulous giveaway. I love the blog post too. I have all of the books listed on my TBR list except A Noble Masquerade. I have already read that one and love, love, loved it. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck everyone. Oh by the way I think I’m signed up for your newsletter. when I entered my email address and pressed Sign Up it took me to a picture of one of your books.
Hi Debbie, I checked and your email address was added to my newsletter list, so it went through just fine. Thanks!
I love to garden and I am excited to read your books
Signed up! Can’t wait to read your latest book.
I’m subscribed. 🙂 Lovely giveaway, thanks for the chance! I love flowers… roses are my favorite. ^_^
Best,
Deborah O’Carroll
Already signed up for emails. I have all three books in this series. I read somewhere that a rich person from England visited the colonies a very long time ago. He wanted to know what colonists had against flower gardens. It us interesting that though many, many, Americans came from England…English gardens are far prettier than the ones here.
This giveaway is a wonderful “virtual reality” tour of the English countryside – thank you! I’ve never seen an all-white flower garden, but I’m sure they are beautiful. The Edwardian Brides trilogy is on my TBR list!
I so enjoy your books and thanks for the giveaway.
I’m a subscriber! All of these books look wonderful! I loved The Painter’s Daughter!
Oh, I’m so jealous that you got to visit Highclere Castle. What wonderful pics you have here.
I’m a subscriber to your newsletter. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m already subscribed!
These books look amazing!
I am a subscriber. Such wonderful authors! Keep up the wonderful writing Carrie!
What a gorgeous location! I bet it was so inspiring. I signed up for your newsletter (if I already wasn’t subscribed) Thank you!
I just subscribed! Thanks for the chance to win! Love all these pictures…I hope to travel there someday too!
I just signed up! Fiction set in England are some of my favorite stories!
Wow! What beautiful pictures! I would love to visit those places one day! I’ve signed up for your newsletter, just waiting on the confirmation email. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am already a newsletter subsciber
Already signed up. Those pastries look amazing!
I signed up for the newsletter. How fun to be able to tour so many beautiful homes and gardens!
The cover is stunning!
What a beautiful post! I signed up. I have read several of your books and they “take me away!”
Hi Carrie! Of course, I am already a subscriber and fan. 😉 This is such a fun contest. I love petitfours and the hat design is absolutely adorable. Looking forward to your books to come! Big reader hugs to you.
I’m already a subscriber to your newsletter. What beautiful pictures! Thanks for this giveaway.
What a lovely ‘job requirement’ – doing research trips! I appreciate the authenticity it brings to a story. Thank you for writing.
I just signed up. I loved the pictures showing the flowers. Thinking of the white garden, which was probably amazing, made me think of an old bush type plant that we found on our little farm. It is called the old fashioned Bridal wreath. I’ve been fasinated with it ever since we first found it.
I’m looking forward to this one. I love Christian fiction!
Just signed up for your newsletter! I enjoyed reading The Governess of Highland Hall and am looking forward to reading the others in the series!! What a great giveaway!
Can’t wait to read your books! This contest has introduced a new author & I love that 🙂 Signing up for newsletter as well ☺️
Subscribed! Anxious to read your books.:)
I love books set in real locations! Can’t wait to read!!
Just Subscribed. Thank you for chance to win.
I would love to go to England. Sounds amazing! I just subscribed to your newsletter!! Thanks so much!!
Signed up! Thank you for the chance to win! It’s been so fun reading these posts!
Love your books and newsletter.
Thanks for doing a giveaway! I love Melanie’s books so I hope I have the opportunity to read yours as well!
Hello! I’m a subscriber already and have read your novel The Governess of Highland Hall. I can’t wait to read your other novels. I love that you have been to these places, the photos are gorgeous!
I just subscribed to your mailing list. Thank you for the giveaway.
I already subscribe to your newsletters. I love your Highland Hall books and am ready to read Refuge at Highland Hall. Thanks for the chance to win.
I have enjoyed this blog tour and would love to read all these books.
I subscribed to your newsletter. I loved reading about your visits to England and the gardens that you saw. They sound like wonderful trips.
I love your pictures. They remind me of my visit to England and Scotland a few years ago. Your covers and book descriptions are so enticing! Thanks for the fun giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Subscribed! Your trip pictures were lovely!
I subscribed. I am glad this drawing is going on to find more books to read.
Carrie, enjoyed your lovely comments. Your book covers are so beautiful and the book titles sound so interesting, my daughter and I visited Grasmere in the Lake District a few years ago, it is just so quaint. Love English gardens, and love how you mentioned them in your book and even including the Royal family. Look forward to reading these in the garden ?
Hi Phyllis, that’s fun to hear you visit Grasmere in the Lake District! Did you try their famous gingerbread? I visited Grasmere in 2014. So lovely! My favorite area in England!
England is on my list of things to do. I grew up in a former British Colony so I am influenced by some of their trsdtions. I still celebrate Boxing Day although I have to wirk. I love my tea. I am actually going to a Hat and Tea Party next month.
Hi Carrie,
I’m already a subscriber but also enjoy England and gardens. I would love to travel to England someday but it’s fun to follow along with your travels too!
I just subscribed! Thanks for holding this amazing giveaway!! 🙂
I signed up for your newsletter! Your books sound wonderful, and I really enjoyed reading about your trips to England. I haven’t been there since I was 17, so I would love to return there again.
I’ve signed up for your news letter. I enjoyed reading Governess and looking forward to reading the next two in the series.
I am already a subscriber.
I loved the photo of the lavender. My daughter gave me a lavender plant as part of my Mother’s Day gift; I’m hoping it will grow well here.
I signed up for your newsletter. I haven’t yet read your books but this series is on my “want to read” list.
I signed up for your email, even though I think I might have already been signed up, lol. Thanks for this contest. I hope to visit the site of Downton Abbey filming some day also!
I signed up for your newsletter…
I enjoyed each stop of this giveaway, thanks for sharing.
Now I’m even more excited for my trip to England.
I just subscribed. I already own The Governess of Highland Hall. Thanks for such an amazing giveaway!
The garden pictures are beautiful!
Love the article and what a great contest. Looking forward to reading all of the books.
I’m so excited for the opportunity to win these awesome books! I’ve always loved fiction set in Britain, and it’s so refreshing to have Christian authors in this genre. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
I am already a subscriber. Thanks for having giveaway.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win!
Love these castles and the garden pics you posted. I am fascinated by castles, which we don’t have here in that states that I know of. Signed up for the newsletter.
I have yet to read any of your books, but they are definitely on my TBR list. I look forward to getting my hands on them! I subscribed to your newsletter.
I love the tea hats and of course the books would be wonderful to win! I’m definitely going to read some or all of these books some day! Thanks for the opportunity to win a book!
I also subscribed to the newsletter.
I enjoyed the pictures and am so jealous of all your travels! 🙂 I have subscribed and am loving this giveaway.
How fun to see an English garden personally on a research trip! They look beautiful from the pictures but they must have been stunning in person 🙂 Thanks for sharing them!
I’m already a subscriber to your newsletter! Its been fun participating in the British Blooms and Books giveaway 🙂
I just subscribed to your newsletter and am looking forward to reading your books. Thanks for the garden tour pictures!
I signed up for your newsletter. Great giveaway!
I signed up for the newsletter. Thanks for this giveaway!
I’m a newsletter subscriber. Thank you for the chance to win.
Rachel K.
Time4us2havetea (at) yahoo (dot) ccom
Thanks for the chance to win!
Just signed up again for your newsletter and your blog posts. Carrie, reading this just brings your books more alive to me. Now I know that all the places I found so inviting in the trilogy are real places of memory to you, it just adds something to the reading. Thank you for the chance to win and thanks for following God’s call on your life. We are all richer.
Signed up!!! Loved your Highland hall Series!!
What a fun giveaway! I have really enjoyed reading all of the author posts. I already subscribe to your newsletter.
Awesome books! I am super excited about the giveaway!
I just subscribed and look forward to reading your books.
I am subscribed and excited to read your books!
I signed up! ?
That’s so wonderful that you got to travel to do research! I do believe that if I was ever an author (haha, not likely), I would enjoy the research trips the most. I do love to travel, although it’s all domestic travel due to budget constraints. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures with us! I’m a very visual person, so I enjoy having something to picture while reading!
just signed up for your newsletter. I enjoy gardens, flowers… and books 😉
Just signed up!
I absolutely love Refuge at Highland Hall! I haven’t read any of your other books, but that one was amazing! I highly recommend it!
Hi Alison, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed A Refuge at Highland Hall! You might enjoy reading Julia’s story in The Governess of Highland Hall and Kate’s story in The Daughter of Highland Hall. Happy Reading!
Hello Carrie! I am so excited that you are participating in this lovely tour. Thank you for the giveaway. I already subscribe to your newsletter. 🙂
I am already a subscriber. This series is on my wish list. Have a great day!
Just got to sign up for your newsletter! And thanks for being a part of this fantastic giveaway – I love being introduced to authors I’ve not read yet. 🙂
Signed up for your newsletter. I really enjoyed the pictures and hearing about how the gardens inspired you. I’m looking forward to your next book.
Hi Lynn, thanks for stopping by. My next book is coming out Feb. 2017: Shine Like the Dawn. It’s set in England in the early 1900s. It has a bit of a mystery as well as family drama, romance, and inspiration. It releases Feb. 2017. Happy Reading!
This is so much fun! Love the giveaway. Just signed up for your newsletter.
I just tried to subscribe and I’m not sure if it worked! But I hope it did!! I would love to win! But I’ll check out your books anyways! 🙂
Hi Alicia your subscription went through. Thanks!
I love your books and have read this series. Would love to win and re-read the one you included in the giveaway. I am excited to read your next book you write and see how gardens play a part in it. 🙂 Subscribed as well.
Hi Laura, that’s fun to hear you’ve enjoyed the Highland Hall novels! I’ve turned in my next book to my editor. It’s called Shine Like the Dawn and it’s also set in England in the early 1900s. It has a bit of a mystery as well as family drama, romance, and inspiration. It releases Feb. 2017. Happy Reading!
What a beautiful website. I had to sign up.
Thank Janine! I’ve enjoyed working with Jones House Creative to build my website. They’ve taught me how to update the pages and keep things working. I’m grateful.
Those petit fours are too cute to eat. But I love petit fours, so I’d probably eat them anyway.
I have never read one of your books. The Daughter of Highland Hall sounds like a good book to add to my personal library.
I never did like reading till growing up…but finally in my 20s I took a chance on Beverly Lewis, and fell in love with reading….I even got to meet her, and then it was a challenge finding another author to also fall in love with, and that’s when I discovered Julie klassen…and now I’m addicted to her!! I sure am glad I’ve discovered the love if reading!!! and am now anxious to find new authors to fall in love with
I subscribed. Your books look great!
I haven’t had the opportunity to read any of your books, but they look so interesting. I love historical fiction. I am already a subscriber to your newsletter.
I’ve just subscribed to your newsletter! 🙂
Already subscribed , you know I wouldn’t miss this !!
Some of my most favorite Authors !!!
Linda Finn
Faithful Acres Books
Love your books! Already subscribed, would love to win!
I just signed up!
All of the books look great!
I love historical novels! I subscribed!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I already subscribe. I look forward to reading this book
I subscribed ! breannaherron (at) gmail dot com thank you for bringing some wonderful flowers to my Wyoming barren spring! Happy reading!!
I’ve just subscribed to your newsletter! Thanks for doing the giveaway! Very excited!
Signed up! Love the photographs.
I signed up! I enjoyed the Governess of Highland Hall.
All subscribed! Can’t wait to visit the other sites as well!
I signed up and excited for a chance to read some of the books on my wish list
Love the pictures! Signed up for the newsletter!
I have subscribed for your newsletter. I actually have not yet read any of your books. They look very interesting though!
Just subscribed! Your books (and travels) look so interesting! I’d love to visit a castle, particularly the castle Dunans in Scotland.
I subscribed. 😀 Thanks for the awesome giveaway. The hat petit fours are SO cute and I bet they taste good! Highland Hall looks amazing. I bet Scotland was wonderful! All these books sound wonderful. Thanks again!
I am already subscribed to your emails. I love your book series, the Highland Halls. It brings the world of Edwardian England to me and opens up my eyes to see and understand the times and customs of during that period. Thank you for sharing your gift and love of writing I love reading updates on your process and background research when writing a book.
Oh my goodness! I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love your books! Thanks so much for the giveaway! I just subscribed.
Great post and giveaway! Your books sound great, can’t wait to read them!
Just signed up!!! So excited for this giveaway, and a chance to read your book!!!?
Subscribed!
I subscribed! Can’t wait to read these wonderful stories!
I just subscribed!
What an inspiring blog. It has made me want to be there and visit all those places that you went. Wow!
Subscribed! Thanks for the giveaway! I haven’t read your books, but it’s always fun to discover a new to me author.?
I signed up for your giveaway. I love your books. Thank you for your wonderful stories.
already subscribe
I signed up for your newsletter. The gardens look beautiful. I would love to win the books.v
Thank you for all the visuals touring though these books and English country side.
Would love to make this trip someday! Until then, I’ll live vicariously through your books! Thanks for the giveaway! I’m already subscribed. ?
I just subscribed. I can’t wait to get your newsletter.
It only 10:18 pm where I live.
I subscribed. Thanx for the giveaway!
Subscribed! I’ve yet to read any of your books, but anything with flowers, castles romance and a bit of adventure intrigue me! =)
I have signed up for the newsletter and can’t wait to read your books. I love flower gardens, tea and all things about castles too. Thank you for your giveaway
Just subscribed! 🙂
I just subscribed to your newsletter. I’m excited to have a new author to follow, and a new book idea.
I just signed up for your newsletter. Your books sound great!