Tea for Two

Suzan + HopeI recently rounded out my Big Birthday Month+ with afternoon tea at Lady Mendl’s courtesy of my lovely author friend, Suzan Colón (Beach Glass). Located within The Inn at Irving Place in the tony, London-like NYC enclave of Gramercy Park, Lady Mendl’s consistently ranks as the city’s most romantic tea salon–with good reason. Sit back and savor a quick, calorie-free tour of our nearly three hours’ time travel back to a kinder, gentler, infinitely more gracious time.

LM_CenterpieceOn arrival, we were greeted by our winsome, 20-something server-to-be. Wearing a chic black wrap dress, rope of pearls, and a soft, scarlet-painted smile, she directed us to the beautifully-appointed parlor where our coats were whisked away and we were seated before the crackling fire. Ah, I could get used to this.

After a brief respite for thawing, we were led into the adjacent dining room. A quick scan of the opulently appointed yet cozy chamber confirmed that high tea had been a VERY good idea indeed. And that Lady M’s is a venue where even the teensiest detail is accounted for, down to the exquisite, pearl-festooned miniature centerpieces gracing each cloth-covered table.

LM_Squash SoupOur respective teas selected, the five-course repast began. Course #1 was a warming butternut squash soup–or was it pumpkin? Regardless, it was delicious, the perfect starter for shaking off the gray chill of the day.

Next, we were each brought a plate of the ubiquitous tea sandwiches only these weren’t ubiquitous at all but creative and delicious, not to mention farm-to-table fresh. My favorite? The smoked salmon with crème fraiche and Wasabi caviar.

LM_Finger SandwichesWith the savories out of the way, it was time to transition to the sweets. Course #3 was a hearty scone dressed with Devonshire Clotted Cream (!!!) and preserves.

Slices of Lady Mendl’s signature (mouth melting) cake followed as our fourth, mine sporting a single birthday candle.

We finished with plates of assorted miniature cookies and chocolate-covered strawberries and, of course, a final cup of tea. So. Civilized.

LM_Cake (last crs)Throughout, industry news was weighed and waxed upon and worlds saved–well, at least our fictional ones. 😉

If you live in, or plan to visit, NYC, seriously consider taking tea at The Inn at Irving Place. And don’t be surprised if a detailed scene of “high tea” doesn’t find its way into a next Hope Tarr novel. Maybe even the historical women’s fiction saga set in NYC I’m researching now.

 

LM_Dessert Plate

 

 

 

 

Just Because It’s Summer Giveaway

breath_3508.2.13: Congratulations to my two winners: Trudy Miner and Jess Mueller. Many thanks to all who entered. Contest is now closed. Please check back here for other giveaway goodness as well as my breaking good news. –Hope

As I sit here procrastinating on finishing edits for the final book in my Suddenly Cinderella Series, it strikes me that mid-summer can feel a little sleepy, even a little…dull.

To spice things up, I’m giving away *two* paperback copies (one copy per winner) of my back list Harlequin Blaze title, EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE. Set in steamy Belize, it’s a perfect addition to your beach read pile. You can read a description and excerpt here.

To be entered to win, do any one of the following:

1. Like my author Facebook page

2. Like my Suddenly Cinderella Series Facebook page

3. Follow me on Twitter @HopeTarr

4. Provide the order confirmation for purchase of any one of my books, e-book or print, that you’ve bought within the last six months.

NOTE: To be entered, you must POST your proof of the above HERE, my website blog.

Two winners will be selected via random number generator. Giveaway ends 12 midnight ET on August 1st.

Happy Summer!

Hope

Operation Cinderella HEA Release Week!

October has been a good month for me, a very good month.

Off the bat, October 2nd was my birthday!

October 2nd was also the Blu-ray DVD release of Walt Disney’s “Cinderella,” my foremost favorite among the animated fairy tale film classics!!

And October 15th was the release for OPERATION CINDERELLA, the launch of my new “Suddenly Cinderella” contemporary series for Entangled Publishing!!!

Currently the book is available for download, $2.99, on Amazon & Barnes & Noble with additional e-tailer links coming soon…

Reviews will be rolling in over the coming weeks and months but for now please join me in celebrating this scrumptious cover quote I received from #1 New York Times Bestseller and Lady Jane Salonâ„¢ guest author, Susan Wiggs:

“This is not your mother’s Cinderella story. Hope Tarr’s rendition is funny, sassy and sexy, a fast-paced treat that strikes all the right notes. I loved it!” –Susan Wiggs

Many thanks, Susan, and thanks to all of you, my readers, who’ve patiently waited for my next contemporary romances to be born.

Happily Ever After–it’s about time, don’t you think!?!

As always, with warmest wishes for fairy tale dreams come true,

Hope

 

 

 

 

August ’11 Lady Jane’s Salon

We’re back from the July break, rested up and restored after The RWA Conference and ready to go with another fab Lady Jane’s Salon.

The August Salon welcomes five fabulous guest readers. Returning to the Salon stage: Dee Davis, Mingmei Yip, and Janet Mullany. Appearing for the first time will be Kathleen O’Reilly and Ken Salikof W/A Maxine Kenneth.

The deets: 7-9PM at Madame X. $5 admission (or one gently-used paperback romance). Cash bar.

Hope you can join us.

For a recap of June’s star-studded Special Salon Event, check out the Salon blog.

Lady Jane’s April Salon

Join us tonight, Monday, April 4th, 7-9PM for Lady Jane’s Salon at Madame X.

April’s scintillating Salon guests are Lisa Dale, Leslie Carroll and guest emcee Alisa Bowman.

Guest authors books will be available for sale and signing on site. (Cash only).

Admission is $5 or one paperback romance novel. Net proceeds support an end-of-year donation to a NYC women’s charity.

Lady Jane’s Salon on Monday, March 7th

It’s that time again. Join us on Monday, March 7th, 7-9 PM, at Madame X with returning guest authors, Cara Elliott and C.H. Admirand, and guest emcee, award winning blogger and debut historical nonfiction author, Elizabeth Kerri Mahon.

Admission is $5 or one gently-used paperback romance novel. Net proceeds support an end-of-year donation to a NYC women’s charity.

Happy Second Birthday, Lady Jane!

LADY-jane-logoOn Monday, February 7th, 7-9 PM my fellow co-founders (Leanna Renee Hieber, Ron Hogan, Maya Rodale), and I celebrate the second anniversary of Lady Jane’s Salon at our beloved Madame X. It’s hard to believe!

Joining us in ringing in the Big 0-2 are guest authors Courtney Milan, Lauren Willig, and Caridad Ferrer. Guest emcee, Andrew Shaffer, will read from his historical nonfiction debut, GREAT PHILOSOPHERS WHO FAILED AT LOVE.

Signed copies of the authors’ books will be available for purchase on site.

The festivities will include a champagne toast and presentation of an end-of-year donation check to Women In Need.

Launched in February ’09, Lady Jane’s remains New York City’s first (and so far only) reading series for romance fiction. Admission is $5 or one gently-used paperback romance novel. Book donations and net proceeds benefit New York City groups assisting women in need.

Subsequently Salons meet on the first Monday of the month unless otherwise noted. Visit us here at www.LadyJaneSalon.com, on FaceBook at http://tinyurl.com/ladyjanefb or follow us on Twitter@LadyJanesSalon.

Happy Birthday, Lady Jane, and Happy Valentine’s Month!