Monday, October 3, 2011

"Dainty Dining" coming this fall!

Today I am so happy to be able to announce that I've written my first book, "Dainty Dining: Vintage recipes, memories and memorabilia from America's department store tea rooms." Right now I'm busily proofing the final pages before they head to the printer, and I should have books in hand by mid-November. I can't wait! The book is 6 x 9 inches, and if you double-click on the image it should be nearly the right size.

Some of you won't be surprised at my subject since I've been researching department store tea rooms all year and occasionally published a blog post about one of them here, a preview of some of the things that will be in the book. It includes recipes, tales and memorabilia from 20 department store tea rooms/restaurants across the country, including Bullock's Wilshire in Los Angeles, Burdines in Miami, Denver Dry Goods in Denver, Filene's in Boston, Frederick & Nelson in Seattle, Gimbels in New York, Hess's in Allentown, Penn., Higbee Company in Cleveland, J.L. Hudson in Detroit, Innes Dry Goods in Wichita, F & R Lazarus in Columbus, Ohio, Macy's in New York, Maison Blanche in New Orleans, Marshall Field in Chicago, Miller & Rhoads in Richmond, Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Rich's in Atlanta, Wanamaker's in Philadelphia, Woodward & Lothrop in Washington, D.C. and Younker Brothers in Des Moines. The 1947 postcard above shows the "modern" Rich's Department Store in Atlanta, a beloved retail institution in my fair state.

And this postcard is from the tea room at Woodward & Lothrop in Washington, D.C. Earlier this year I learned that tea friend Belinda M.'s mother once worked at a branch of this store in the D.C. area.

And here is the chocolate fudge cake that was once served in that tea room, and it is simply divine!

So these are the sort of things that fill my book, and I can't wait until it gets here! Locally, I'll be doing book signings at Scott's Bookstore here in Newnan and at my friend's store, Cydney's Alley, in Senoia. You can order via the PayPal button at top right. You don't have to have a PayPal account yourself, but it allows you to securely enter your debit card or credit card information, which I never see. (I've been sending and receiving funds via PayPal myself for more than a decade, and it's my favorite way to pay for online purchases.)

But enough of the sales info! To kick things off, I'm giving away five free autographed copies of the book, and all you have to do to be entered is leave an "Enter me" comment to this post between now and next Monday, Oct. 10, at 7 a.m. EST. Good luck!

UPDATE: Giveaway has ended, but copies of the book are still available to order!

64 comments:

  1. Happy to see Younkers listed as being in your book. Loved going there.
    Please enter me. Thanks.

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  2. Congratulations on the book! I know I will enjoy it as much as I do your blog. Please enter me. Many Thanks!

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  3. How awesome! Please enter me. I was happy to see Filene's of Boston listed. It was my favorite store in Boston. And it had the best bargain basement in NE.
    Best of luck with the signings and the sales of the book.

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  4. I am thrilled for you and excited to read the book! How wonderful that you are giving away copies, as you know we will all want one! I hope it is the first in a long line of interesting books that you will write. I hope you sell a million! Please enter me!

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  5. Congratulations on your book! I hope this is the first of many. I can't wait to get a copy, so please enter my name. I'm sure I'll be buying a couple for Christmas gifts too! Thank you. Good luck with the success of your book.

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  6. Looks wonderful! Please enter me. Thanks!

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  7. Kudos to you, Angela! I could hardly wait to visit your blog this morning. I know the book has been a huge commitment, and I hope it's success is far and wide! Please enter me!

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  8. How exciting about your book!! Congratulations!!! I just know it will be a great success!! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks.

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  9. Congratulations! How exciting to have achieved this milestone! Can't wait to see it!

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  10. Congratulations Angela,
    How exciting for you to see what I'm sure was a labor of love come to fruition.
    It's also exciting for all of us to have the opportunity to pre-order the book, of such interesting content, written by an author that we've had the pleasure to come to know through your wonderful blog. Please enter my name in the drawing. Thank you.

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  11. Love the pink cover ! Enter me !
    Delightful looking tea room book !

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  12. Please enter me! This looks like it will be exactly the kind of book I love to read!Your blog is wonderful!
    Kathy L.from Colorado

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  13. I enjoy your blog. Please enter me. I am also ordering one. Thank you.

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  14. I look forward to reading your book. How clever you are for this research on an interesting subject. I love the cover and the size of the book. What fun. Enter me please

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  15. I can't wait to see the book and order my signed copies.
    I remember the Rich's store in Atlanta. My favorite store of all time. Wish it was still here. At least we still have the memories. Thanks for saving those memories for posterity. I am sure people all over the US will enjoy reading about their favorite stores -- and recipes, too. It will be a treasure!

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  16. This is so exciting! I will be ordering 2 copies of your book.

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  17. Congratulations Angela! It's not April 1 so I know this announcement is true.
    Even though I live in Canada and wouldn't know the places, it would be fascinating reading.
    I'd like to say 'enter me' too if you'll ship to Ontario.
    Judith

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  18. This is so exciting! I of course will be giving this to all the Greenville Gals for Christmas!!And sending one to Scotland(or taking it in person in May I hope). But enter me too.
    So proud to have had tea with an author!

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  19. Oh, Angela - I can't express how excited I am for you, all best wishes!!!!!!!!!

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  20. This is indeed exciting news! Sending you all my best wishes and congratulations on this wonderful achievement. I know it was a labor of love as you have such a keen interest in all things tea. You must be on cloud nine. I would be honored to win this wonderful book. Please enter me. My list of published authors I know grew by two in just two days. It is amazing to know such talented tea enthusiasts.

    Kudos!!!!

    Mary Jane

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  21. How wonderful! I'm definitely going to order a copy, unless I'm one of the lucky ones who win one! So many happy memories of Rich's...our "Dear Store"...I miss Rich's!

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  22. Congratulations! Please enter me. Your book will make any excellent Christmas gift -- I can think of 3 people I'd like to give it to already.

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  23. I can't wait to see it!! I'm going to need quite a few copies before Christmas, so you might as well ENTER ME now!!

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  24. Your book sounds like it will be a delight to read. I love tearoom memorabilia, and the special tearoom recipes and tales sound great too. I'm so excited for you, Angela! This is quite an accomplishment. Thanks for a chance in your giveaway.

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  25. Angela, congratulations and best wishes on your first book! I know it will be well-received and just the first in a line of others from your pen, er, word processor. Please enter me!
    (And thank your husband for sharing you with us in what must have been an adventure in research travel and recipe-tasting for him!)

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  26. Angela, Thanks for entering me into the drawing for a special copy of your book! I knew you through the NTH in Newnan and love your blog. I have got several friends here in Hilton Head who also enjoy your writing. We are "tea people, too". Thanks and good luck with your book. Brenda Adams

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  27. Angela,
    So glad to hear that you book will be out soon.

    Enjoy your blog. Please enter me in your give a way.

    God Bless and Congratulations.

    Sandy

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  28. Congratulations on your book. Please enter me. What a pretty little book, filled with tea room history and the recipes to go with. I have a book from Younkers tearoom, in DesMoines,Iowa. It is the Holiday Celebrations one, from 2001.A tea room east of DesMoines bought their chairs, when things sold. Can't wait to see your book.

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  29. Congratulations on your first book! Please enter me in the contest

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  30. Please enter me! I remember the tea room at Rich's. To me, the book department at Rich's was heaven.

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  31. I am so excited to have just found your blog! I have a traveling tea room www.solovelytearoom.blogspot.com here in Denver & have been looking and looking for tea inspiration! I was excited to find your blog as it seems ours are quite similar! Please ENTER ME into your contest! I would treasure one of your books!

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  32. OMG OMG OMG...this is AMAZING in so so so so so many ways!! I am so excited I about flipped off my chair! What a GREAT gift this will be for all my tea friends and ME of course..you know we share a LOVE for tea time recipes and dainty treats! Angela you are amazing in so many ways, I am so excited and happy for you but for US b/c we get to enjoy this great info and fun! LOVE IT!! I want to PREORDER my books!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  33. Hello 'Enter Me!"
    I am enchanted by Tea Rooms and the stories My Great Aunts and mother used to tell. They visited the one "F & R Lazarus in Columbus, Ohio" I believe. But spent days at the ones in the stores in Lexington, KY in the 30's-40's-50's. Hats Gloves and Stories, 3 of my favorite things.
    And now YOU! Love the Blog

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  34. What wonderful news, Angela -
    I am so happy for you and so proud!

    This is BIG, BIG NEWS - Wow!
    You have brought such energy & enthusiasm to Tea and 'all things Tea,' can't wait to get a copy in hand. I love the cover design!

    I will be celebrating all week,
    Cheers, Joanie

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  35. ps to Angela: who knows? You may be able to do some signings at Hastings? There are 150 stores, 38 in Texas alone! All the best,
    Joanie

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  36. Congratulations on your book! Please enter me.

    Thanks!

    Terry C. from PA

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  37. Congratulations!! I cant wait to get my hands on this!! btw, that chocolate cake looks wonderful!!

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  38. I'm so excited for you. I love the title! I'll be buying several for Christmas gifts so I'll see you at Scott's!

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  39. cant wait for the book. Please enter me keep up the Great blog

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  40. I'd love to win a book & i already know of quite a few friends who love a copy as well.

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  41. Congrats, Angela! What exciting news and what a fun topic for a book. I love the cover. Please enter me in your giveaway.

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  42. Hi Angela,

    CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a wonderful accomplishment! I'm really looking forward to reading it! I'm sure it will be a big success!

    I hope I win one of the 5 free copies on 10/10. If not, I will definitely place my pre-order. This is so exciting!

    Thanks for sharing your awesome news with all of your tea friends!

    Blessings, Darlene

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  43. Aloha, Angela! How I wish I could attend one of your book signings so we can finally meet! But, I am happy to try to win a specially-signed copy of "Dainty Dining." Thank you for giving us a glimpse, remembrance and "taste" of tea days gone by. Congratulations, my dear friend! Jude 2 -- Lani

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  44. Congratulations! I am very excited for you!Yes, please enter me in your drawing!

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  45. Congratulations Angela! I am sure this will be a big hit among all tea lovers! Enter me to win on of your copies!
    Susan T. from Ohio

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  46. Hi Angela,

    I was so excited about your news that I forgot to add "PLEASE ENTER ME" on my previous comment. LOL!

    Blessings, Darlene

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  47. Congratulations!! What an interesting perspective you're coming from...a must for any tea library. Please enter me in the drawing. Joy

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  48. Enter me! I would love to get a copy of your book!

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  49. I would so love to win this book. I have been waiting for it and secretly cheering you on. Enter me!

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  50. I would love to have your new book. Enter me please.

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  51. I love your blog and I would be thrilled to win your new book. Please enter me. Thanks.

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  52. Enter me, please. Delightful subject, just in time for gift giving season, too. Thanks.

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  53. This book looks so like so much fun!
    The chocolate cake made my mouth water. Please enter me. Thank you

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  54. Just saw this news on Steph's blog. Congratulations, Angela! Please enter me!

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  55. Congratulations on your new book. Please enter my name. If I do not win, I just may buy a copy! It looks great. Again, congratulations. :)

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  56. Congrats on the book. I think it's a great idea. Please enter me, Thanks.

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  57. What a thrill it would be to win a copy of your book. Please enter me.
    I have enjoyed tea in many of the places you mention over the years and would love to recreate those memories.
    martha e

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  58. Oh, yes, enter me please. And if I don't win, I'm buying a copy! It looks like a great addition to my collection.

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  59. How does one order an autographed copy of your book? I did not find a way to do that on your order page. thank you

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  60. Martha, you can just e-mail me via the e-mail button at right to let me know if you want a book autographed. I'll be happy to do that! Thanks!

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  61. My package came today. Angela it is wonderful and I can't wait to give the spare copy I bought, to my cousin when I see her on Thursday! NICE WORK!

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  62. Hello Angela,

    Dainty Dining is a wonderful book!
    I am thoroughly enjoying reading it, from the wonderful information on Burdines, Miami Beach and 'the Snow Princess,' to Filenes in Boston, it is entertaining reading.

    There's so much great history information too, a must read.

    I am so proud of you as a writer.
    Dainty Dining is great!
    Wishing you much success,
    Joanie

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Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment! It makes my day to hear from readers!