I'm here to tell ya girls - it pays to be nice to your mother-in-law. As some of you may recall, I read and reviewed Deeanne Gist's latest book, Maid To Match, back in June. I really enjoyed the story, and the one constant thought that was running through my tiny pea brain while I was reading it was "My Man's Mom would really like this story." So I checked the RWA web site, and saw that Gist was going to be at the Literacy Signing and decided to buy a copy for her then.While chatting with the author about the book she mentioned that she was giving away accommodations to one lucky RWA attendee for a weekend getaway she's hosting at the Biltmore Estate (where the book is set) in late September. I knew about the getaway (it's advertised in the back of the book), and absentmindedly filled out a entry form not thinking anymore about it. I mean, the Biltmore is in North Carolina. I'm in California. And then there's the small matter of me never winning anything. I wouldn't say I have "bad" luck - more like no luck at all. And that, I figured, was that.
Until Friday. That's when I got an e-mail from Gist's assistant that....
I won the frackin' contest drawing!
I thought, briefly, about declining the prize. Yes, swank hotel room is covered. Travel expenses are not. I just got back from RWA, and My Man has to fly back to New York this weekend for a family funeral. So yeah. I thought about declining the prize.
Then My Man took one look at the Biltmore web site and said, "Oh no, you're going."
And in an added bit of good fortune? Remember those baseball game tickets My Man got me and my father for my birthday? Well, the game is Saturday, September 25. Check-in for this getaway weekend? Sunday, September 26. So I can do both! I'll go home to Michigan for the week. Hang out with the family. See some friends. And then Sunday I'm off to the Biltmore for a couple of days. How awesome sauce is that?
I plan to take lots of pictures and soak up the free hotel room which looks off-the-hook. The only thing that has me slightly worried? Costume party Sunday night. Uh, Wendy owns nothing that is remotely appropriate for a Gilded Age costume party. Not sure what I'm going to do about that yet. Either 1) not dress up or 2) try to piece something together. Decisions, decisions.....
32 comments:
Congratulation. I am so jealous!!!! I always wanted to go to the Biltmore! I've heard amazing things about that place!
Congratulations!
At RomCon, the author was in attendance, and I could not get over the promo for this book. It was by far the most elaborate promo of any author there.
Hope you have a great time!
WOW!!! So cool! Congratulations!
Well... you're in for a gorgeous birthday week. Congratulations Wendy! Enjoy your family/baseball week and your princess weekend -- much deserved, I'm sure. :D
That hotel is off the chains! Congrats Wendy!!
YAY Wendy! Have a fab time, you deserve it. And piece something together! You have many so-cal-y's that will pitch in, or at least send you in the right direction.
Right? **eyes So-Cal Bloggers**
Congrats!
If nothing else, you could rent a costume.
Like Jessica, I remember the huge promo for this book, including this contest, at RomCon. I'm so glad that someone I "know" won.
Congrats; we expect a thorough blogging of your experience, of course.
Congratulations!!! And yes, we want pictures!!
WOW! Your Man is totally right - this is NOT a chance to turn down! Hope you have a fab time!
Mom said WEINER not winner! You must have misheard her. :)
Wendy, Try a couple of thrift stores and check out the section where they have donated prom and wedding dresses. You'll find something romantic there (plus it won't break you budget). Keep your dress for Halloween! Kathleen
Yay!!!!!!
That's so awesome it's beyond GREAT--you have to share every minute, okay?
Go, Wendy, go!
Wow! That looks fabulous. Congratulations!
WhoooHoooo to you Wendy!!! Congratulations. And how awesome is it that everything works out in your favour for the week away and everything?!?!?!
Sweet! I've heard Asheville is gorgeous. Have fun!
Congratulations! The Biltmore is awesome. I was there years ago and they've added the resturant and hotel since then. I just did the estate tour back then and the gardens and the house were amazing. Oh and they have a winery there and yes there is a tasting room!
What iz dis book set at the Biltmore? I must investigate! :)
Have fun!
Patrice
Ohhh, freaking cool!!
LOL, you realize now that you cannot complain of ever winning anything else, right? or of having bad luck :)
Janet W: Well Gawl*ee ... this is fantastic! I have driven past the Biltmore a number of times: the gardens alone are really something. So, gilded age. We're talking Consuela Vanderbilt era? Pretty gorgeous dresses but so elaborate. It's good your research skills are up to snuff!
Super Congrats!! And so glad you can make it there - what a treat!
CindyS
Congratulations Wendy - it looks wonderful! and your man sounds pretty awesome too!
Congrats Wendy!
Dude! That IS some awesome sauce, also your MAN is some awesome sauce. Share that or not even tho he recently disparaged my own tank of testosterone here recently. *ahem* Hopefully you have time to throw something together for the costume thingy. There's got to be some vintage type stores in the OC where you can lay your hands on something... OR, you could wear the blue dress!
See what I mean? Win-win.
Patrice: The book in question, set at the Biltmore, is Maid To Match. Clicking on the title (first paragraph of this blog post) will take you to my full length review :)
Everyone Else: I'm really looking forward to the trip! My inner history geek is still trippin'. And yes, I see a thrift store run in my near future. I'm hoping I can scare up a long skirt and a modest blouse. If so? Add some jewelry and I think I can fake late Victorian era....
Oh, that is wonderful! The Biltmore is such an overwhelmingly gorgeous place. I hope you have a great time!
BTW, Etsy and EBay have both come through with reasonably priced costumes for me in the past.
Awesome news! That should be such a fun time. Your Tigers and the beautiful Biltmore. Isn't it great when the fates work in your favor? :)
Awesome sauce is that you're going to be in the Carolinas! MY stomping grounds, albeit a 4 1/2 hour drive from me.
WoW! Congrats on the win!!!
What fun getaways you have ahead of you in September!!! Enjoy! =)
Well shoot. I deleted Deeanne Gist's comment. Hello Monday! LOL
Anyway, Deeanne - if you come back - yes, I found a costume this weekend. In fact, I'm going to be blogging about that in a minute....
LOL!! I just called my 21 yo in to my office and said, "Why isn't this working???" Hahahaha
Can't wait to hear about the costume and I'm so excited about you coming. We're gong to have a blast!
Btw, I put a link to your blog on my Fan Page. I hope my readers come on over. You have a GREAT site!!
http://www.facebook.com/IWantHerBook
I just finished reading Maid to Match. What a delightful book, and so interesting. Having read the book now, and looked at the Biltmore web page, Your Man was absolutely right to insist you accept the prize. What fun you'll have! A belated congratulations, Wendy! So cool.
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