Cead Mille Failte
And a hundred thousand welcomes to Jenna’s Journal on one of my very favorite holidays! I LOVE Ireland! It is possibly the most beautiful country on earth and one of my favorite places to be. I’ve always loved all things Irish, so St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are right up my alley…er a
Temple Bar alley in Dublin that is!
I spent two summers in Dublin, working on my dissertation, so I was immersed in the culture and fell in love with the people, the landscape, the very air of the country. So to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the Journal, I’m posting some pics that have made me quite homesick for the Emerald Isle. Take a peek at them, and afterwards there’s a chance to win some books and a gift card. Sort of like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
It really does look like this! God’s truth. Drop dead gorgeous every day (except when it rains–about 5 days a week. LOL).
City life can be fun as well. Dublin is a party town. You need to go with the flow…of Guiness.
The shamrocks are everywhere. Green is everywhere. The most beautiful shade of it imaginable.
I even managed to store up a setting for a scene in my novel As Long As You’re Mine–over ten years before I became a romance writer. I toured Coole Park, home of Lady Augusta Gregory, a founder of the Abbey Theatre. While on the property, I saw–actually stood beneath–a
huge copper beech. It was so awe-inspiring, I made a copper beech the meeting place for Rafael and Lady Samantha–their first face to face meeting. You can see how impressive it is in full autumn color. Just the place for a fiery tete-a-tete.
And what visit to Ireland could be complete without kissing the Blarney Stone? I actually did this when I was in college and took a summer tour of England and Ireland. This was a great feat for me–I’m desperately afraid of heights and no one bothered to tell me you had 
to climb two stories, lay down and lean back over NOTHINGNESS and pull yourself up to kiss the damn thing. I did it, though. I’m still amazed!
Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed this little virtual tour of the Emerald Isle. And now to our pot of gold.
Jenna’s St. Patrick’s Day Contest: Subscribe to my blog and leave me a comment telling me your favorite Irish food and which of my books you’d like to win, and you’ll be entered to win a copy (I’m giving away three) and a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card. You MUST leave your email address in the body of the comment in order to be eligible to win.
Even better, the Blog Hop itself is offering prizes to those who comment. Your same comment enters you to win 1 of 2 GRAND PRIZES:
1) Winner’s Choice of a KINDLE FIRE or NOOK TABLET
2) Winner’s Choice of a $90 Gift Card from Amazon or B&N
So here are the blurbs for my three books–be sure to let me know which one you’d prefer if you’re a winner. Enjoy!
Celinda Graham—young, naïve, passionate—is head-over-heels in love with Andrew Finley, Viscount Hurston and insists on marrying him. Unfortunately, Andrew’s family has been feuding with Celinda’s for generations. When her father refuses to allow the marriage, Andrew proposes a scandalous way to get his approval. But Andrew has a secret that may spell disaster to his plans if Celinda finds out he is not what he seems.
Seducing bikers Beau and Rob Hogue and commandeering their Harleys is easy for Lula
Wolfendale; finding sexual satisfaction isn’t. Can their older brother Jesse fill the bill? In a sexual contest for his Phantom motorcycle, will Lula emerge with a bike to die for or the climax of her dreams?
Pamela Kimball’s birthday present, a 1Night Stand adventure, promises jump-start her life, put a new man in her bed, and help her forget her past. Unfortunately, movie-buff Pam’s Pirates of the Caribbean fantasy takes an alarming wrong turn when she’s abandoned on a not quite deserted island—with ex-husband Roger Ware.
Forced by hunger to accept Roger’s offer of dinner, Pam realizes the geek she married has transformed into one of the most charming, sexiest men she’s ever met. His newfound confidence—and hot body—re-kindles old fires. A simple kiss leads Roger to challenges her to discover how much his lovemaking skills have improved, leaving Pam torn between self-preservation and burning desire.
With time running out before they’re rescued, Pam must decide if her heart can survive the consequences of becoming Roger’s “almost” perfect 1Night Stand.
So be sure to leave your comments and email addresses to be entered to win books, cards, and Kindles! Now, to get back to the Hop, click HERE and have a Happy/Sexy St. Patrick’s Day!
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
Happy Saint Patty’s day thanks for joining in on the blog hop!
Angela S Stone
angela@angelastone.ca
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Have a happy St. Patrick’s Day – green, rainbows, gold and all!
carrieannryanwrites(at)gmail.com
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I have no favorite Irish food. Lol, lame, I know.
Love the pics you posted–beautiful.
lisankumar(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Love the pics, Jenna! Fun blog hop! My favorite holiday!
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Strangely, I’m quite fond of soda bread, though I’ve heard actual Irish soda bread IN Ireland doesn’t taste so good. The one I’ve had was a bit sweet.
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Nice pictures of Ireland. I hope to go there one day too.
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Those are some great pictures, thanks for sharing. Wish I would say I’ve been to Ireland…but it is on my list of places to visit! Thanks for participating in such a great Hop 🙂
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Hi! Beautiful pictures. Someday I’d love to visit Ireland. Hubby’s distantly Irish. My favorite Irish food is corned beef and cabbage, but he hates it! I’d love to win either Heart of Deception or Hog Wild. Thanks for doing the blog hop! They’re always fun.
AnnaM.
doxisrcool at aol dot com
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Thanks for coming by, Anna. Hope you enjoy your St. Paddy’s Day (I assume without the corned beef & cabbage LOL).
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I would love almost perfect! It looks great and the cover is so beautiful. 🙂
prettyhaydengurl@yahoo.com
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Well, you’re certainly entered now, Janiera. Good luck in the giveaways!
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Great post, Jenna. I love Shamrocks. I’m going to plant a patch in my rock garden this spring.
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Oh, they are so beautiful! I had a plant that lasted almost 20 years, given to me by a friend. I need to get another one and they’re sure out this time of year. Thanks for stopping by, Brenda. 🙂
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GORGEOUS pictures!! Thanks for sharing!!! I actually haven’t eaten much Irish food in my life, if any. Sad, I know. Does pudding shots made with Bailey’s count????
I like the sound of Almost Perfect…sounds like a found-again love story and I like that! 😉 Have a great weekend!
haefner919 @ yahoo dot com
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I’ll count your pudding shots–if you tell me how to make them! Sounds delish. 🙂 Happy St. Paddy’s Day–let the Bailey’s flow like the River Liffey! LOL
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When I make it big or my kids get out of college–which ever comes first–I hope to visit Ireland, UK and Scotland. The pics are great.
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My sentiments exactly, Maggie! And hopefully sooner than later–my kids aren’t even in college yet. LOL This blog is really making me want to check airfares! Thanks for coming by. 🙂
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Ireland is one of the few places in Europe that I haven’t been. To make it worse, I’ve got Irish on many sides of my family. Thank you for the pictures.
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I’m sure you’ll get there, Ella. Those pictures sure made me want to go back. It’s been over 10 years since I went and I’d go back at the drop of a hat. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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Lucky you, getting to visit Ireland! I’ve always wanted to, but never have had the chance! Someday!
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Someday might be sooner than you think, D’Ann. Fingers crossed for you! Man, would you love it with the horses they have, too. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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I can’t even manage to get out of Texas, Ireland ia a dream!
Put me down for Heart of Deception please.
mmafsmith at gmail dot ccom
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Hopefully, dreams do come true, Maria. Thanks for coming by. 🙂
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Those pics are amazing. My dad’s side of the family is Irish through and through, but I’ve never been able to visit Ireland. It’s on my bucket list for sure.
Lot’s of people think corned beef/cabbage (although good) and potatoes as the only Irish fare but there is so much more. Soda bread, colcannon, boxty…. And anyone who hasn’t tried Guinness beef stew is missing out 🙂 (only thing I won’t touch is black pudding) That and a pint of Smithwicks or Killians or just good ol Guinness and I’m good to go lol I’m starving now.
May the lilt of Irish laughter
lighten every load.
May the mist of Irish magic
shorten every road…
And may all your friends remember
all the favours you are owed! Sláinte
sharocks13@yahoo.com
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I’m going to grab that saying, Sharon! Love it! Yes, Irish food has great variety and all of it, to me at least, is delicious! Thanks for hopping by the blog. 🙂
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I can’t wait to read Almost Perfect. I have never been to Ireland, but would love to go. It looks beautiful. Thanks for participating in the blog hop!
slinkydennis@yahoo.com
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It is beautiful. i should set one of my books there. Research trip! LOL Thanks for coming by, Rhonda.
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Mmmm….I love boxtys! We have a great Irish pub in town that serves the best ones!!! Too bad I have to work tonight because now I have a craving!:-)
I would love to read Hog Wild! Thanks so much!!
mmbrack AT earthlink dot net
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You’re the first person outside of Ireland who’s ever mentioned boxty, Michelle! I had some fantastic ones when I was in Dublin, but can’t get them in my neck of the woods. Enjoy next time you get by that pub!
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I have a small amount of Irish heritage (I’m Heinz 57 in that department).
My absolutely favorite Irish dish is corned beef and cabbage and fortunately my husband loves it too!
Saph
saphsbookblog at gmail dot com
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I’m right there with you on that! Our girls don’t like it, so there’s more for us. LOL Thanks for hopping by.
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I’d absolutely love to visit Ireland, though I’m not sure what my favorite Irish food is. I already subscribe using RSS.
I look forward to reading Only Scandal Will Do, though it’s not released yet. 😦 I’d love to read Hog Wild.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
~Jessica
jessicasubject.writer at gmail dot com
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Thanks, Jessica! I’m champing at the bit too for Scandal to be released! 🙂 Happy St. Paddy’s Day to you too! And good luck with the giveaways!
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I don’t think I have a favorite Irish food… Anyway, if I could win, I’d love a copy of Almost Perfect.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Hillary
hillacurr@gmail.com
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You’re very welcome, Hillary! Good luck with all the giveaways.
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Heart of Deception sounds interesting !! Hmmm fave Irish food?? Irish potato soup 🙂 I would love to travel there one day. Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
supagurlheather@gmail . com
SupaGurl
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Oooh, potato soup sounds great about now. Hmmm. Maybe I can put a pot of that on tomorrow while I’m cooking the corned beef. 🙂
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You can’t get more Irish than potatoes & we eat them with most meals it seems.
I’m a subscriber & I would love to read ONLY SCANDAL WILL DO – thank you.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
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Potatoes! If a love of potatoes means you’re Irish then I’m as Irish as they come. 🙂 Only Scandal Will Do Releases in May and I plan a big celebration with a book giveaway and other prizes on release day. Be sure to come to that release party, Mary!
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Ireland is an amazing country. I have always loved it! One day I will get there. My parents loved it so much when they went that they are wanting to retire and move there. So now I know I will have a place to stay when I go visit!!
My favorite Irish food is the Whiskey! I love Paddy’s in my coffee. I also make an Irish Potato candy. I am almost finished with it. I still need to dip it in the chocolate. Doing that today!
I would love to win Almost Perfect. I have read the other two and loved them. I smiled all the way through Hog Wild. Hell…It kept me up half the night reading it!!
Mel
bournmelissa@hotmail.com
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I envy your parents! I’d love to retire there too, though I don’t think my husband would. Glad…sorry Hog Wild kept you up! But so glad you enjoyed it, Mel. 🙂
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Next to Scotland, Ireland is my favorite countries. Of course being Scots, Clan Lindsay and Clan McKean, and Irish, County Down, might have something to do with it.
For a meal I’ll take a good stout that is after I’ve had a glass in one of their fine whiskys (Bushmills or Jameison’s), neat, (that’s without water or ice to Americans served with stew and warm soda bread.
lindsayATlindsaydownsDOTcom.
But then again you already know that.
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But didn’t know you were so Irish. Lots of envy on my side. I’d love to find out I have an Irish ancestry, but the waters are muddy on both sides of the family, though if I had to guess I’d say English and Scottish. Irish brown bread is my absolute favorite, though corn beef and cabbage run a close second. 🙂
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