Courting Miss Adelaide's now has a bookmark

In a week or so, I'll have bookmarks to promote my debut novel, Courting Miss Adelaide. My critique partner and dear friend, Shirley Jump, http://www.shirleyjump.com/ handled the design. I'm really pleased with how they turned out. And can't wait to pass along this tangible reminder of the books' release this September.

There's so much to do to promote a book. I will write blog posts and answer interview questions. Contact the media. Set up book signings. It's all a bit overwhelming, but exciting, too. I have some wonderful friends who want to be influencers for the book. They'll read then posting reviews and invite me to their blogs, if they have them. They'll help get the word out. There's nothing like word-of-mouth to build buzz.

Blessings,

Janet

The ladies at American Girl

My two daughters and I took my granddaughter, along with her lookalike American Girl doll, to Chicago's American Girl store last weekend. We soon discovered we ladies loved the dolls as much as our little princess, crowned such just for this special day. :-)

We started our adventure at American Girl's stage show and were enthralled with the stories of Molly(1944), Kit (1934), Samantha (1904), Addy (1864), Kirsten (1854), Josefina (1824), Felicity (1774), and Kaya (1764). The performers, mostly children, did a phenomenal job of acting and singing. The show ends in September. The Chicago store will relocate to the first floor of the Water Tower on Michigan Ave. Four other stores are in New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles.

After the show, we hung around to meet the actors and get autographs, then headed to dinner in the American Girl dining room, a darling spot decorated in black, white, and hot pink. Our table overlooked the old Water Tower and the carriage traffic moving past beneath our window. Zoe, my granddaughter's doll, sat in a special chair that slid onto the table's edge. Our waiter brought her a tiny black and white mug, while we enjoyed cinnamon rolls, huge tray of appetizers, a salad, entree--I chose talapia--and dessert of iced angelfood cake, sugar cookie with pink sprinkles and chocolate mousse in a miniature flower pot.

The store closed soon after dinner so we headed to the carriages, letting the princess select her steed. The lovely temperature had dropped by this time, but we were toasty under a blanket as we took the half hour ride along Lake Michigan and discovered two small parks we didn't know existed.

We managed to get a few hours of sleep in our hotel before the noise of the elevated train woke us the next morning. After breakfast we returned to American Girl to let the princess shop for her birthday, only days away. The items are expensive, but very well made and rich with detail. She selected a daybed with a trundle, along with lovely matching bedding. We stopped in the beauty shop and got pointers on how to take care of Zoe's hair. The princess didn't want to relinquish her doll to the hairdresser, even though Zoe's tresses could use some TLC. Before we left the store, we toured the historical dolls, looking at books, DVDs, furniture, and accessories. I'm drawn to Molly, but Kit was a favorite of my daughters. Samantha drew lots of attention, but in the end, we ladies resisted the urge to buy ourselves a doll. Who knew this trip would reawaken our own little girl fascination with dolls? After lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, we piled into the van. We'd had a delightful time and vowed to make another all-girl excursion.

Are you or a little girl in your life a fan of American Girl? If so, which doll is your/her favorite?

Blessings,
Janet
Courting Miss Adelaide