Ha! I bet you thought this was a post to promote the anthology I just published with Tessa Dare, Leigh LaValle, and Carey Baldwin, didn’t you?
And it should be, because I’ve been running around the last few days like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get things done, and I just realized I haven’t posted about the anthology’s release yet. But this is not a post about Three Weddings and a Murder, although it is a post about author Carey Baldwin.
This is a post about the fourth wedding. This next week, Carey Baldwin–my dear friend and fellow author–is getting married! I couldn’t be happier for her, or for her husband. (I also couldn’t be happier that she’s getting married in Hawaii, because I am so looking forward to the sun!) So it’s time for a virtual bridal shower–but this one is going to have very real party favors.
I’m going to be giving away A LOT of books (both paper and digital) to people who comment on this blog post, who tweet Carey, and who comment on her Facebook page.
Specifically, you can be entered to win in one of three ways
1. Comment on this blog post, with what you would bring to Carey’s virtual wedding shower.
2. Tweet Carey (@CareyBaldwin) using the hashtag #marrycarey wishing her congratulations on her upcoming marriage.
3. Comment on Carey’s facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/CareyBaldwinAuthor.
I’m going to be giving away at least 100 paper books (many of them are books that I have written, but I also have books from Jeannie Lin, Delilah Marvelle, Laurie London, Tiffany Clare, Tessa Dare).
I’ll also be giving away 24 digital books: 10 copies of Three Weddings and a Murder, 5 copies of Carey’s debut First Do No Evil (this will have to wait until near the end of June for delivery), 2 copies of Sarah Mayberry’s marvelous Her Best Worst Mistake, and 2 copies of Darcy Burke’s debut, Her Wicked Ways.
So it’s time to wish Carey well.
Other details: the contest is open from now until the end of the day on June 30th. Winners will be picked at random from all entries, and contacted sometime in the following week. You can enter once per method listed above.
And I’m going to start by offering a toast (with virtual champagne and/or nonalcoholic apple cider, your choice):
To Carey: I tried to say something more elaborate, but totally failed. You’re marrying one of the only men in this world who’s amazing enough to deserve you. Excellent work.
Aww, that is a sweet toast. I agree, Mr. Baldwin really is a great guy. Congrats, Carey!
Kisses to Carey! We love you so much and are so happy to see you so happy with the future Mr Baldwin. And ditto CM–thanks for picking Hawaii!
Congrats!
I always bring cookbooks and tea towels to wedding showers. And wine.
So cute! I’m sure all of you will have a wonderful time at what will be a lovely wedding. I’m not sure if I want you to tweet pictures from Hawaii though, because I don’t think I can take it.
Lovely toast too!
As for what I’d bring to a bridal shower? Ack. If food – fancy cupcakes. As a gift? A hand painted silk scarf. 🙂
Congratulations, Carey! I wish you the best on your new life with the great Mr. Baldwin.
I forgot to add that I would bring my spinach dip/pita bread and a strawberry cheesecake.
Congrats, Carey!!!! Wishing you every happiness!
I’d bring brownies with champagne icing. Best wishes, Carey!
I would like to reiterate that there will be ONE wedding in Hawaii and NO murders! 🙂
Congrats to you Carey and may you have many years of wedded bliss. I would bring a couple of wine glasses to go with your drinks.
Congratulations Carey! Hope you have a wonderful wedding! I would bring some nice wine and some double layer brownies.
Lingerie!! Congratulations Carey 🙂 Best wishes to you and your husband (to be).
Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials! Wishing you all the best & and as much happiness as you can stand! 🙂
Hmmm bridal shower gift? Maybe a pretty music box that plays a gorgeous piece of music (or hey, bride’s choice of music ).
As far as food goes, I saw these really yummy stuffed cheesecake strawberries. I’d bring those. 😀
Oh how fun!!!
Congrats to the future Mrs. Baldwin. May you be happy forever and a day 😉
Wishing I could attend your Hawaii wedding, need anyone to carry the luggage?
To your virtual shower I would bring… Chocolate covered strawberries and some yummy wine. Ever tried Layered Cake? (the wine?) it’s delish.
I’d tweet you but I don’t tweet. I think I’m the only 30 year old that doesn’t.
I couldn’t actually bring it as I don’t recall ever having been invited to a wedding shower before, but I’d send all my best wishes, all the luck I have to spare, and a very decadent chocolate mousse. 🙂
Oh my goodness! You guys are the bestest. I cannot wait to slip on my virtual thong. This is the very first virtual surprise party I have ever had! Thank you! And thanks to everyone for the congrats! Sounds like there are prizes galore! Yay!
And the water’s warm and waiting! Aloha!
Congrat Carey! 🙂 I wish you and Mr. Baldwin-to-be the best, and every happiness! Enjoy every moment in Hawaii!
I would bring wine and some chocolate eclairs.
Aloha and many congratulations, Carey!! What a banner month this will be for you. Have a great wedding (and no murders!)
Warmest regards,
Bren
In honor of Carey’s debut, I would bring lots and lots of liquid dispensing syringes (used for measuring oral medications) to fill with delicious squeezable foods and drinks! (Or, um, maybe flavored lube . . . ?)
Congratulations and best wishes on your upcoming wedding. I wish you guys much happiness on your married life. 😀
A lot of people mentioned decadent foods already, so I’d like to share some silk leis, maybe offer hula skirts for the shower, and even games like pin the coconut on the tree, or something.;)
What wonderful friends to throw this lovely shower. May your marriage be everything you desire.
I’d bring a very good bottle of champagne for your honeymoon!
I hope you’re right about that! Can’t wait for you to arrive!
@Leigh LaValle:
@Justine: That’s awesome Justine! Thank you!
And thank you to LauraR, Brenna, Courtney, Tessa, Leigh, Lisa,Jacob, Maritza, Readsalot81, Kaetrin, Lisa W, Melody, Kristin, Cari (great name!), Jennifer, Ashlea, and of course, the fabulous Limecello! Raising a virtual Pina Colada to wonderful friends!
Carey, being able to call you my friend is a true joy and an honor. You’re one of the smartest, and nicest people I know. And a heck of an amazing author. I raise my Diet Dr. Pepper to salute you, and I offer this toast. May you go barefoot on that Hawaiian beach and let the cool, white sand between yours toes wipe away all your stress. Let the salt-scented air and sun-kissed water take you to paradise in the arms of the man you love. There’s nothing better than a TRUE love story. Above all, I wish you an HEA with your true love.
I always bring cake to any party!
Congratulations Carey!
Catherine
Carey, wishing you all the hugs, kisses and thrills that married life brings. You’re going to be a beautiful bride. I’m showering you with rice and rose petals and book offers.
Love,
Diana Belchase
Your Kiss and Thrill sister
And for the fun of it …
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0?rel=0&w=420&h=315%5D
I’m SO thrilled for Carey!!! You deserve every happiness and I wish you both the very best. xoxoxo
What would I bring to the shower? Oregon wine. And more friends. Because you can’t have enough of those. 🙂
Best wishes to the future Mr. & Mrs. Baldwin. I would bring a lovely bottle of Champagne and some flutes to drink it from.
First of: Best wishes to Carey!
Second…I would bring my self made bowl. And probably would be the first to be drunk.
Thank you, Lena, Catherine, Lynnd, Astrid, and Diana! It’s such a wonderful treasure to have friends! And yes, the true love story is always best! PS Diana, that Utube rocks!
I would bring some sunscreen and beach towels so Carey and her groom could enjoy the beach after the wedding. Congrats to Carey on her wedding, I think she chose a fantastic location to tie the knot.
Congrats to Carey and her future husband. I will bring some red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and a bottle of Rose Champagne.
Congrats, Carey!
Since the wedding is in Hawaii, I would bring chocolate covered macadamia nuts and the best Hawaiian coffee I could find.
Congrats to Carey and hubby-to-be! I don’t know if I’ve ever thanked Courtney for introducing us, Carey, but I really feel like I owe CM big. You are a warm, wonderful, brilliant person and I am honored to be part of your world.
And I seriously can’t wait to see pics of you in your wedding gown. 🙂
For a wedding shower gift, I always like items for a romantic night. Candles, chocolate, wine glasses, bubble bath, beverage, a cd with great music.
I’ve been in a virtual baby shower before, for someone on an infertility list I was on, and was in charge of the “music.” That was a lot of fun, so I guess I’d do it again! Congrats to the happy couple!
since it’s a hawaiian wedding i’m going to bring authentic hawaiian dishes like spicy ahi poke, laulau, fresh poi and lomi lomi salmon (all these you gotta try while you’re in hawaii by the way!).
Congratulations Ms. Baldwin – a debut and a wedding all in one year! What amazing planning.
Since this is a virtual shower, I’ll contribute one perfectly perfect snowy day with fat falling snowflakes, one perfectly perfect autumn day with brillianty coloured falling leaves, one perfectly balmy spring day with gorgeously blooming blossoms, and one perfectly sunny summer day with no humidity, per year, on days you and your Mr. are both off of work.
Courtney – what a lovely thing to do for your friend!
Carey – congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! And in Hawaii, how perfect. I hope you have a wonderful day and many, many years of happiness.
@Katherine:
Apparently I have the attention span of a gnat – because I forgot to say that I would bring a gift certificate for a couples massage, to enjoy during the honeymoon after all the running around on your wedding day. And now I’m raising a glass of (virtual) champagne in your honour.
Congratulations to the couple! Sending you the best of thoughts and best of wishes for your future together. I would bring bath oils. Every bride deserves some pampering.
since it’s a hawaiian wedding i’m going to bring authentic hawaiian dishes like spicy ahi poke, laulau, fresh poi and lomi lomi salmon (all these you gotta try while you’re in hawaii by the way!).
Congrats!!! A wedding in Hawaii sounds amazing! I would bring a fantastic victoria’s secret négligée, obviously!
CONGRATULATIONS, CAREY!! And in Hawaii, no less! How fantastic, you lucky duck! 🙂
I would bring an endless supply of chocolate, because chocolate is universal 😉
Once more, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Wow! I am simply overwhelmed with all the beautiful wishes! I thank each of you from my heart for your kindness! And especially to my wonderful and cherished friend Courtney- Thank you! It is so good to be reminded that generosity and kindness is the norm rather than the exception.
Congratulations to Carey and best wishes to both the future bride and groom!
Since we seem to have plenty of food I wuld bring copies of a personalised magazine with pictures and articles about Carey’s life, how she met her future husband and wedding plans! A bit like a mini OK! Magazine. If you guys don’t have OK! Magazine in the US or wherever you’re from it is a nice celebrity gossip magazine, rather than one of those ‘don’t they look fat?’ ones.