Tag Archive for: Downton Abbey

Downton Is Here!

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by Shari Randall


It’s here! September 20 – the release date of the new Downton Abbey movie!
How I adored the original series, especially the first episodes. The dishy debut season, complete with scheming Thomas and O’Brien, the Titanic disaster, Lady Sybil’s shocking modernity, and Lady Mary’s “incident” the Turkish ambassador was an Edwardian delight. 
The new movie already has a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but we’re not going for the story – we’re going because everyone at Downton became our very gossip-worthy friends.
The trailer has many of the faces we’ve come to know and love and be irritated by (I’m looking at you, Mr. Bates) but I’ll still be there, sighing over the clothes, coveting the castle, and laughing as Lady Violet gets in a good dig at Mrs. Crawley.
Are you going to see the Downton Abbey movie?

Mesmerized by British TV

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by Sparkle Abbey

Since we read and write cozy mysteries, there was a high probability that we’d also like 
British mystery shows. We do. And not just the mysteries, but also the cooking, drama, and comedy shows. In fact, British TV has been popular for a while—well before the smash hit Downton Abbey. Did you know American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Wife Swap, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? were based on hit British shows?  Obviously, we’re not the only ones who like British TV. 




Since the arrival of Netflix, Acorn TV, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, there are more and more opportunities to stumble over shows that are just the bee’s knees! 

Why are we so drawn to them? It’s pretty simple: British TV is heavily character driven. The characters quirky, eccentric and still vulnerable, have a dry wit, are sarcastic, and some aren’t even likable. These are flawed, non-cookie-cutter characters who find themselves in extreme situations, whether drama or comedy, yet feel so realistic you find yourself rooting for them to get their act together and succeed. Plus there’s the fun English accent. 

Of courses there’s the food. Most of the time we have
no idea what the Brits are eating unless it’s a delicious pastryIn . Crumpets,
scones, buns, tea cake sandwiches, biscuits. Our stomachs are growling just
writing this blog!


 We’ve definitely binged on our share of British TV. What happens when you watch too much? Well, you start using words like lovely, bollocks, bugger, nutter, daft, gobsmacked, tosser, dodgy, and cheers. You crave scones, fish and chips, Victoria sponge, shepherd’s pie, and pasties. You take drinking tea seriously, even going so far as to buy a lovely porcelain pot and loose leaf tea, and begin to hone the perfect cuppa tea (that would be pouring boiling water over the tea in the pot, let it steep for 2-5 minutes, remove the tea, adding a splash of milk and then sugar.) And sometimes, you accidentally-on-purpose slip into a really great American version of an English accent.

 Here are a “few” of the shows we’ve enjoyed over the years:

The British TV Place

Midsomer Murders
Death in Paradise
Father Brown
Poirot
Murdoch Mysteries Movies
Sherlock
Downton Abbey
The Crown
Very British Problems
Call the Midwife
Broadchurch
Happy Valley
Doc Martin
Vera
Doctor Who
The Great British Baking Show (all versions)

What about you, luv? Did we miss your favorite? If so, let us know. We’re always open to recommendations.


Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of two mystery authors (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). They are friends and neighbors as well as co-writers of the Pampered Pets Mystery Series. The pen name was created by combining the names of their rescue pets–Sparkle (Mary Lee’s cat) and Abbey (Anita’s dog). If you want to make sure you’re up on all the Sparkle Abbey news, stop by their website and sign up for updates at sparkleabbey.com.



photo credit: adactio Tea and scones via photopin (license)

Sparkle Abbey on Downton Abbey

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by Sparkle Abbey

Downton Abbey’s final season launched this past week and so we couldn’t let this major event pass without a nod to this highly acclaimed British drama.

You might remember we did a contest a while back with all the differences between Downton Abbey and Sparkle Abbey. And now, our latest book Downton Tabby offers even more entertaining comparisons. Check out our “The Pawleys: A brief episode in the British family hiss-tory of Lady Toria Cash, the feline fatale of Downton Tabby.”

No spoilers here if you haven’t watched the first installment in this final season of Downton, but you can bet there will be butlers and maids, elegant frocks, fancy dinner parties, secrets revealed and problems in love, some below stairs and some in the drawing room.

Why do we (and millions of viewers) love this show so much? The twisted plots? The intrigues? The beautiful costuming? The “no-they-did-not-just-do-that” writing?

We believe the bottom line is whether it’s a book or a movie, and whether the setting is a cozy, quirky small town, a galaxy far, far away or a castle in Yorkshire; we all continue to watch or continue to read because of the characters.

The characters in Downton Abbey have become our friends and we want to know what will happen to them next. The stoic Carson, the sometimes clueless Lord Grantham, the forward-thinking Isobel Crawley, and the just-can’t-get-a-break Lady Edith. And then poor Anna and Mr. Bates who give new meaning to “when bad things happen to good people” adage. Plus the evil Thomas who can always be counted on to shake things up. And the best, the very best, Lady Violet, the Dowager, who routinely delivers the zingers we love.

Here are a few:

“At my age, one must ration one’s excitement.”

Mrs. Crawley: “I take that as a compliment.”
Countess Violet: “I must’ve said it wrong.”

Dr. Clarkson: You want me to lie?
Countess Violet: Lie is so unmusical a word.

Cora: “I hate to go behind Robert’s back.”
Countess Violet: “That is a scruple no successful wife can afford.”

“There’s nothing simpler than avoiding people you don’t like. Avoiding one’s friends, that’s the real test.”

“I don’t dislike him. I just don’t like him. Which is quite different.”

“All this unbridled joy has given me quite an appetite.”

“Of course it would happen to a foreigner. No Englishman would dream of dying in someone else’s house.”

“Principles are like prayers; noble, of course, but awkward at a party.”

“Don’t be defeatist, dear, it’s very middle class.”

And our favorite:

“Vulgarity is no substitute for wit.”

What do you think? Do you watch the show? And, if so, do you agree with us that it’s the characters that have made the show such a success?

We’d like to hear your thoughts?

Comment below to be in the drawing for a signed copy of Downton Tabby.

Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of authors Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. They write a national bestselling pet-themed mystery series set in Laguna Beach. The first book in the series Desperate Housedogs, an Amazon Mystery Series bestseller and Barnes & Noble Nook #1 bestseller, was followed by several other “sassy and fun” books in the series. The most recent installment is Downton Tabby and up next is Raiders of the Lost Bark. www.SparkleAbbey.com

When Fictional People Seem Real

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by Sparkle Abbey

We had a conversation recently with a reader who asked about some of the fashions mentioned in our books. She wondered where we got the ideas for what Caro and Mel wear. Though this reader confessed she didn’t know many of the designers, she still loved reading the descriptions of the fashions. She wanted to know, did we shop for Caro and Mel.

The answer is that in a way, we do. We often look through magazines such as Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar in search of looks appropriate for these two former Texas beauty queens turned pet therapist and pet boutique owner. They each have their favorite designers so we may also haunt the online sites of the likes of Neiman Marcus or Bloomingdales. (And not just the sale racks.) Sometimes we’ll look at a particular outfit and say, “Caro would never wear that.” Or “That’s just not Mel.” They each have their own style and we know it well. Caro loves classic and vintage. Mel’s look is a little edgier and more daring. And, of course, then there’s Betty Foxx and her own unique and very individual look.

That got us thinking about how real these characters seem to us – and we hope to you.

It may sound crazy, but the truth is we know not only clothes they’d buy, but we could order for them in a restaurant, tell you their favorite music, and choose the movie each would pick for a night out. It’s kind of like we have these best friends…only they’re fictional.

What about you? Are there fictional characters who are so real to you that you feel like you could shop for them? (Or are we crazy?)

In our most recent book, we revisit lovely Laguna Beach with Caro and Mel as well as some of the other colorful characters we have come to know and love.

One Amazon reviewer has this to say about Downton Tabby:

How would you like to find a dead body in a swimming pool, have two friends disappear, be followed by a black SUV and have your ex try to take away your clients?


That’s what Laguna Beach’s animal therapist and sometime sleuth, Caro Lamont, faces in another page turning, suspense filled, and occasional humorous adventure as she tries to find a killer, solve the disappearances of two friends, and deal with a scurvy ex.


Need a treat today? Of course you do! Grab some snacks, your fav drink, turn off your phone and settle down in a comfy place and relish this latest mystery that’s pet friendly too!

Next up? Book 8: Raiders of the Lost Bark

As always, if you’d like to stay up on the latest news, new releases or upcoming appearances, sign up for the Sparkle Abbey newsletter at www.SparkleAbbey.com

The Best Job in the World

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by Sparkle Abbey

We are about to see the release of our 7th book, Downton Tabby, and we’d just like to say it’s been an incredible journey.

We sold the series in 2010 and the first book, Desperate Housedogs, came out in 2011.

From our very first Malice Domestic and Bouchercon conferences, where we had tons of excitement and enthusiasm, but little to no publishing experience (and come to think of it no books yet), the mystery community has been crazy welcoming and supportive.

We’ve met so many wonderful writers and readers of the genre via various conferences and events. These are brilliant, savvy, fun people, many of whom we are privileged to now call friends.

It’s an amazing experience to walk into a bookstore, whether a Barnes and Noble, BAM or a small indie bookstore, and see our books on the shelf. It’s a thrill that we hope never gets old.

And then there are readers. Wow. It’s impossible to explain how much it means get an email or a letter from a reader who has read one of our books and was moved to write to us. To know that something we wrote provided an escape for someone who was going through a tough time, made someone laugh out loud, or was simply an opportunity relax after a long day at work. So. Cool.

In addition to all that there’s the writing itself. We get to think up twisted plots, give birth to quirky characters, and put them in impossible situations. Of course, then we have to figure out a way to help them solve all the problems we’ve created for them. That’s when the fun begins!

Being a writer is just plain the best job in the world and we feel so lucky to get to do it.

Our newest book, Downton Tabby, comes out in a few days and is currently available for pre-order. To celebrate we’re giving away an adorable Paul Cardew teapot and a canister of Downton Abbey tea. All you have to do to enter the contest is pre-order the book and then send us an email letting us know you have.

We love to connect with readers and other writers!
You can find us online in the following places:

Website: www.sparkleabbey.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleabbey
Twitter: @sparkleabbey
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/sparkleabbey/

Anyone for tea and crumpets…and murder?

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by Sparkle Abbey

We’re so excited about our new book, Downton Tabby, which is due out in June. Our fab publisher, Bell Bridge Books, is doing some fun promo with a cover reveal at Goodreads on May 15th, a blog tour, special pricing on our backlist, and the placement of a short, featuring Toria, the feline star of Downton Tabby.

We thought you might enjoy reading the short so here goes…

Cats dressed in period clothing

The Pawleys 
A brief episode in the British family history of Lady Toria Cash, the feline fatale of Downton Tabby

“Can you believe that alley cat?” Lady Meow Grandcatham lifted her whiskers in disdain. “Thinking I’d simply fall under the spell of his gorgeous green eyes.”

I shook my head. “He does seem rather cheeky.” I’m Annakatrina, Lady’s Meow’s lady’s maid, and the alley cat she was referring to was Alexander Kittingham who’d apparently made a play for Lady Meow in a big way.

I carefully folded the lace frill she’d worn to dinner and reached for the brush I used every night on her silky black fur. Though I would never bring it up to Lady Meow, talk below stairs was that Alexander Kittingham was not actually a purebred British shorthair. He was often referred to as “Alley” in a disparaging tone, by Thomas Cat, Lord Grandcatham’s valet. Alexander was quite a handsome fellow and a favorite of the ladies around the dinner bowl.

He was nice looking with dark brown fur and deep green eyes, but I was not impressed. You see I’m madly in love with Mr. Bait. Poor Mr. Bait is currently locked up in the pound, but I had no doubt he would soon be freed.

“Beyond cheeky, I’d say.” Lady Meow lifted her paw to her neck. “Would you help me get out of this collar?”

I pulled on the diamond collar with my teeth and it snapped off easily. Carefully placing it in the ornate trinket box, I picked up the brush again.

Suddenly, there was a scratch at the door and I moved quickly to open it.  Lady Vi, Meow’s grandmother, stepped into the room. She was a formidable feline and referred to as the Dogwagger Countess because even the dogs at the neighboring estates were afraid of her. I don’t believe she’d ever actually bitten anyone, canine or otherwise, but all it took was a hiss and the very slight unsheathing of her claws and it was clear she meant business.

“Grandmother.” Lady Meow purred. “What a surprise.”

cat in straw hat“Not an unpleasant one, I hope.” The older feline stepped closer so Lady Meow could bump noses with her.

“I’ll leave you.” I moved quietly on soft paws toward the door.

“No, please stay.” The Dogwagger waved her tail in my direction. “I know Meow trusts you.”

“What is it, Grandmama?” Lady Meow dropped on her haunches. “Is something wrong?”

“What is wrong is my sources tell me someone is publishing a catty tell all tome about the Britain’s aristocats. I am told there’s a whole chapter devoted to the Grandcatham Family.” She leaned on the edge of Lady’s Meow’s bed and smoothed her fur.

Lady Meow began to pace. “Have you told Pappa’?

The Dogwagger shook her head. “No, nor your mother. It will be up to us to sort this out.” She gave a deep sigh and tipped her head to look at me. “We must find out who this low-life is and stop him or her before our good name is dragged through the litter box.” Sharp blue eyes pinned me in place.

“What can I do to help, M ‘lady?”

“My dear, you must be our eyes and ears.” The Dogwagger put her paws together as if it were all settled. “You can go places we must not and you will never be noticed.”

I had the thought that not being noticed was hardly complimentary, but knew she was right.

“You will help us, won’t you, Anna?” Lady Meow crossed the room in a single smooth leap to stand in front of me. Her golden eyes searched my face.

“Of course, I will.” I bowed my head.

And thus began my new career as Annakatrina, Cat Sleuth.

What would Mr. Bait think?

Downton Tabby, book seven in The Pampered Pets Mysteries by Sparkle Abbey, is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Pre-order now and send us an email with “Downton Tabby Pre-Order” in the subject line and you’ll be entered in the drawing for this adorable Andrew Cardew teapot and a canister of special blend, Downton Abbey tea.

Also, if you’re missing any of our backlist this is a great time to grab them. Details here.

And if you want to make sure you’re up on all the Sparkle Abbey news, stop by our website and sign up for updates at sparkleabbey.com.

Art credits: 
Siamese Cat in a straw hat © Nizhava1956 | Dreamstime.com 
Loving cats in 1900 © Lestoquoy Véronique | Dreamstime.com

Sparkle Abbey vs. Downton Abbey

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Downton Abbey’s long-awaited new season begins in just a few days!

And
just in time for the new season of Downton Abbey, we have a special contest for
all of you Downton Abbey fans!

The
idea came to us in part because we have a Google alert set up to notify us
whenever Sparkle Abbey is mentioned out there in the cybersphere. However, being
new at this gig and not exactly understanding the set-up at first, we kept
getting tons of notifications whenever the “sparkle” of anything in “Downton
Abbey” was mentioned. Needless to say, we got a bit of a giggle out of it.

Then
a little while back we were guests on the Seekerville blog and the superbly
talented Vince from Philosophy of Romance asked if we’d ever considered doing a
TV series “Sparkleton Abbey.” He suggested perhaps it could star a roguish
English Wolfhound and an adorable red-haired Irish Setter. 



We had a lot of fun
with the idea and then…well, you know the creative spark that happens when a
bunch of writers get together. From that point on we were off and running with
the Downton Abbey and Sparkle Abbey comparisons.

So,
we’ll start it off and then we’d love to hear your ideas on all the ways
“Sparkle Abbey” differs from “Downton Abbey.”

We’ll collect all the ideas and draw a winner from all the participants. The prize is the wonderful Downton Abbey bell ornament pictured above. 



And as an added bonus, if you sign up for our newsletter via the Sparkle Abbey website there will be a drawing for a “Downton Abbey/Sparkle Abbey” basket.

Sound
like fun? 

Okay, let’s get started!


All the Ways Sparkle
Abbey Differs from Downton Abbey

1)
Downton Abbey has high fashion and intrigue, Sparkle Abbey has high fashion and
intrigue, plus pets!

2)
Whilst Downton Abbey does full justice to the Queen’s English, Sparkle Abbey
kills the Queen’s English in a shroud of mystery.

3)
Downton Abbey has the Dowager; Sparkle Abby has a dog-wagger.

4)
While Downton Abbey is actually set in Highclere Castle, Sparkle Abbey stories
are more often set in a downtown alley.

Now
you go…

Those Brits are Keepers

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By Evelyn David

First, let me offer my congratulations to Lillibet,
otherwise known as Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee.
In today’s economy, anyone who can hold a job for 60 years is impressive.

I adore Great
Britain and have been fortunate enough to
spend a fair amount of time there. I studied at Oxford
one summer; spent several months in London while
my husband did research; visited my kids when they’ve spent academic semesters
in The Big Smoke (aka London), Edinburgh,
and Glasgow.
And does it count that I love tea and collect teacups?

And then there’s my life-long fan crushes on British actors:
Richard Burton (I waited four hours in the rain to see him walk by when he
appeared on Broadway); Sean Connery who I would listen to read The Yellow
Pages; Maggie Smith who can be a wizardess or a dowager with equal ease; and
Helen Mirren who is convincing as both The Queen and a no-nonsense Chief
Detective.

 I’ve gotten totally hooked on a British TV series…and it’s
not Downton Abbey. It’s a quirky comedy/drama called Doc Martin and is best
described as a fish out of water tale about a surgeon, with a slight case of
Asperger’s and a fear of blood, who moves to a small village in Cornwall, falls
in love with the local schoolteacher, while hilarity and medical crises ensue.

Let me say upfront that the Brits know how to do television
series. The settings are always lush and for the most part, the cast is made up
of character actors who have steady gigs in a variety of shows. Part of the fun
is recognizing that the judge in MI-5 and the doctor in Midsomer Murders, is
now playing the village plumber/caterer in Doc Martin (Ian McNeice).

One of the reasons I think these shows are so successful is
because they have such short seasons – 6-8 episodes a year. In the case of Doc
Martin, there was even a year-long hiatus between season 4 and 5 so the star
Martin Clunes and his wife, producer Philippa Braithwaite could take their
daughter on a proper holiday. And after a year’s absence, the opening episode
of Season Five continued the action on the same day as the previous season had
ended. Just a couple of hours had elapsed in Doc Martin country.

The British approach seems to be a more manageable pace. It
means that the writers, the actors, and the audience don’t get worn out by a
glut of episodes, usually 22 for an American series, which are often mediocre
because they’ve been churned out like soft-serve ice cream.

So may I offer a toast to Queen Elizabeth II, on this
momentous occasion. We’ll raise a cuppa and offer, Love Live the Queen!

Marian, the Northern half of Evelyn David
Zoned for Murder – Kindle (Exclusive at Amazon this month)

Brianna Sullivan Mysteries – e-book series
I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries- Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
The Dog Days of Summer in Lottawatah- Kindle (Exclusive at Amazon this month)
The Holiday Spirit(s) of Lottawatah- Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Undying Love in Lottawatah- Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
A Haunting in Lottawatah – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Lottawatah Twister – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Missing in Lottawatah – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Good Grief in Lottawatah – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords

The Ghosts of Lottawatah – trade paperback collection of the Brianna e-books
Book 1 – I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries (includes the first four Brianna e-books)

Sullivan Investigations Mystery
Murder Off the Books Kindle  – Nook – Smashwords – Trade Paperback
Murder Takes the Cake Kindle – Nook – Smashwords – Trade Paperback
Riley Come Home (short story)- Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Moonlighting at the Mall (short story) – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords

Romances
Love Lessons – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords