Wednesday, June 4, 2014

What's in a Name? Plus Cozy Days of Summer Giveaway!

Summer is here! During June and July, we're having a Cozy Days of Summer Giveaway! There will be a winner every day. You could win a book or some swag! Leave a comment before midnight to be entered in that day's drawing. Hurry! Because at midnight, the next drawing starts. 


By Bailey Bird, best friend of Jenna Hart
From Stirring the Plot, the 3rd in a Cookbook Nook Mystery series
By Daryl Wood Gerber aka Avery Aames


If you don’t know, I am Jenna Hart’s best friend and current employee at The Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove. And I have a confession. I hate my name. I know. What’s in a name, really, right? But honestly, I’ve been teased my whole life about my last name. Tweet tweet, chirp chirp. Bwaaak!  I’ve been asked whether I deliver babies. My name isn’t stork, but some guys think that is so funny! Yuk, yuk. Not. It doesn’t help that my name is also alliterative. My mother thought it was cute. Bailey Bird. Sheesh. How I wished my mother had switched back to her maiden name after the divorce. I would have latched onto the surname Hastings in a flash. Bailey Hastings. That has style, don’t you think? My father, a decent guy who practices law in San Francisco, would be upset, but he would allow it.

At least my name isn’t Bingo like this woman I know; she’s a friend of Jenna’s aunt’s and owns Aunt Teek’s antique shop. How she ever got saddled with the name Bingo is beyond me. Maybe her mother thought she was a dog. Okay, not funny, and I, of all people, shouldn’t be making fun.  Bingo’s real name is Barbara. Maybe she hated it like I hate mine and changed it herself. You certainly can’t forget the name. At my old place of employment, Taylor & Squibb advertising—I worked in the numbers arena when Jenna was slaving away as an advertising executive—they’d call that branding. In addition to running her antique shop, Bingo is second-in-command of the Winsome Witches, a fund-raising group that gets together every year around Halloween to raise money for literacy. Pearl Thornton is the High Priestess of the Winsome Witches. Oh, hey, I just thought of this. Pearl was married to a geologist. Do you think she had a tough time with her name? She’s a gem of a gal. A real rock. LOL! Bad, Bailey.

The witches put on a faire and have a luncheon with a lively auction. It’s great fun! The town really gets behind the week of events. We have a parade and a pumpkin-decorating contest. We’ve been snazzying the store like crazy, and we ordered in some of the kookiest Halloween-themed cookbooks with recipes for things like Wart-topped Tortillas and more. Oh, lest you be worried, the Winsome Witches aren’t really witches; however, they’re encouraged to wear elaborate witch hats to the luncheon. You’ve got to see some of them! Jenna put together a cute little gold number for her and her kitten, Tigger. Now, there’s a name!

Do you like your name? Do you have a nickname? Would you change any aspect of your life if you could? Would you go so far as to change your name?

******************

Friend Daryl on Facebook
Friend Avery on Facebook
Follow Daryl on Twitter
Follow Avery on Twitter
Follow both of us on Pinterest
Check out our website.

Days of Wine and Roquefort 
is out!
order here
Inherit the Word
  is out!
                                    order here

 STIRRING THE PLOT is available for preorder: order here.

If you haven't done so, sign up for the mailing list 
so you can learn about upcoming events, releases, and contests! 




Submitted by
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

86 comments:

  1. Grandma CootieJune 4, 2014 at 2:05 AM

    My mom named my sister and I Sally Ann and Mary Jane, which meant I spent years first listening to someone sing "Little Sally Saucer" to me and then "Mustang Sally" and my sister had to constantly tell people, "My FIRST name is Mary Jane, I have no middle name." So yep, I would have liked to change it. The couple of times I dared tell my mother that she asked me if I would prefer to be "one of those Debbies, Lindas, Cathys . . . " - being just like everyone else wasn't something to aspire to at our house.

    I am Grandma Cootie to my grandkids (we called our kids cootie bugs), Gigi (great grandma) to our great grandkids, and Pepe to my nieces. Wouldn't change any of those! And my 5-year old great-granddaughter calls my husband Papa Gigi ;-).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bailey Bird from Crystal CoveJune 4, 2014 at 11:17 AM

      Ah, Grandma Cootie, I totally get it. My author's name is Daryl. You can imagine how many different things she's been called through her life. Not to mention "her other brother Darrell" jokes! LOL

      Bailey from Crystal Cove

      Delete
  • Patricia PhillipsJune 4, 2014 at 2:30 AM

    My name is Patricia and I did change my name sort of, most everybody calls me Trish. I'm NaNa to my children's dog and cat (who are the only grandchildren I have at the moment), and one of my nieces calls me Mammy. I like Trish or Patricia...just please don't call me PAT, never did like being called that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  • Mark BakerJune 4, 2014 at 2:59 AM

    I like my name and have never really wanted to change it. Well, there was that time in 3rd grade when I decided Peter was such a better name. I had fallen in love with Narnia and for a couple of weeks I tried to go by that name. Then I forgot and went back to Mark.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bailey BirdJune 4, 2014 at 11:17 AM

      Ah, Narnia. One of my favorite places to visit!

      Bailey (a true reader!)

      Delete
  • SandyG265June 4, 2014 at 5:44 AM

    I'm used to my name so I think it would be confusing to change it.

    ReplyDelete
  • Sue FJune 4, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    My name fits me or I fit my name.The only part of my life I would change would be to be healthier. Everything in your life goes into making you who you are.

    ReplyDelete
  • TinaJune 4, 2014 at 6:21 AM

    I didn't always like my name. When I was little I wanted a name that was more popular. I could never find personalized items with my name. But now I like it.

    ReplyDelete
  • kiki wJune 4, 2014 at 6:31 AM

    I like my name it's short and simple.

    ReplyDelete
  • Dianne B.June 4, 2014 at 6:41 AM

    I've never really liked my name, though not sure what name I'd like better. At one time I thought about changing the spelling to Dyan. My Mother spelled my name Dianne, but most people want to spell it Diane. Like Tina, I can never find personalized items with " Dianne". What is out there is always" Diane". At this point in my life, I'm not going to change it. I guess I can be thankful, my Mother didn't choose one of the popular names of the time, which would have been Barbara, Kathy or Donna.

    ReplyDelete
  • skkormanJune 4, 2014 at 7:04 AM

    I love my name and would never think of changing it or using a nickname!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  • Lisa BrownJune 4, 2014 at 7:19 AM

    I don't like my name, boring. My husband calls me LisaLu..I like it a bit better :) Love the cover of the book! A must read for me :) Thank you for the chance to win
    jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bailey BirdJune 4, 2014 at 11:18 AM

      Sweet. LisaLu. Very cute. Wish I had a husband...but I want to make sure he really really loves me first. :)

      Bailey

      Delete
  • BookladyJune 4, 2014 at 7:22 AM

    My name is ok. If I could have chosen my name, I'm not sure I would have chosen it. When I was little the kids called me Beverly Hillbillies and one not so funny drama teacher wanted to give me the nickname Bevo (what did he think I looked like the University of Texas mascot?). I hate when people I don't know or don't know very well, shorten my name to Bev. It implies a sense of familiarity or closeness that is often not there. Is Beverly too hard to say? I do have a nickname. My husband and I ride motorcycles with a group of veterans. My road name is Booklady. That one fits for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  • lklebackJune 4, 2014 at 7:28 AM

    I like my name Linda now since it's not as common as it used to be.

    ReplyDelete
  • Debbie CarneyJune 4, 2014 at 7:41 AM

    LOL, I never liked my name, I'd love to change it but its kinda late now. I have no idea what I'd change it to either lol. When I lived in England they called me Deb's (not too bad lol)

    [email protected]

    ReplyDelete
  • TonyaJune 4, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    My nickname was "Sam". My maternal grandfather thought that I was going to be a boy and called me that the whole time before I was born and it just stuck. When I had my daughter I named her Samantha Lee. She is actually named after me and my grandfather. As far as my real name goes, people who meet me for years stated something about "Tanya Tucker", then "Tonya Harding", that got old, but mostly I'm okay with my name. I do miss being called Sam though (my grandparents are long gone).

    ReplyDelete
  • AnonymousJune 4, 2014 at 7:59 AM

    I'm okay with my name but I did get alot of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm when I was younger.
    [email protected] Becky Prazak

    ReplyDelete
  • Janel GradowskiJune 4, 2014 at 8:06 AM

    Being saddled with an unusual name can be fun and a bit frustrating. People always try to "cross" my L and turn me into Janet. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  • KuzlinJune 4, 2014 at 8:47 AM

    Always felt my first name was boring (Linda). When I was little, I would play pretend and only use my middle name, June, because that seemed more mysterious (this was the early 60's!). Nowadays, Linda is actually a rarity. LOL kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  • Deb ForbesJune 4, 2014 at 8:48 AM

    I don't mind my name my I shorten it to Deb but my dad has called me Debs for years, unless I am in trouble. I would never change my name because my Mom and Dad picked it and they had a reason to so I am happy with it. I guess I might be considered boring but I am happy with my life. Would love my husband to be retired and we could travel but other than that I am good

    ReplyDelete
  • Barbara T.June 4, 2014 at 9:09 AM

    Bobby is the nickname I was given at birth. Hated that doll...Barbie. Not my name. Didn't like Babs either. Really wanted to change my last name. Had to spell it for everyone. Have a shorter last name thanks to marriage, but people shorten it even further by leaving out the e. I asked Joe Law to marry me, as I wanted his last name. He said no.

    ReplyDelete
  • Anne LovellJune 4, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    I do like my name though it can be comical. Anne, I was told, means grace in French, however I am far from graceful!

    ReplyDelete
  • MelanieJune 4, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    I guess having the name Melanie for over 47 years I can't think of something different that would fit me

    ReplyDelete
  • petiteJune 4, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    I like my name and never thought of changing it since no one has this name as it is from the olden days.

    ReplyDelete
  • Tracy KilgoreJune 4, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    When I was young I wished my parents had given me a more unique name. Now I just except my name for what it is.

    ReplyDelete
  • travelerJune 4, 2014 at 9:58 AM

    A classic name such as Anne is what I love and always felt suited me.

    ReplyDelete
  • Elaine KlingbeilJune 4, 2014 at 9:59 AM

    I never cared for my name much, Elaine, I never had a nickname. Now I don't care much and I know my parents liked the name or they wouldn't have given it to me. And I love my mom so much and miss my dad so much. So I guess I will keep my name. But if I could change one thing about me, I think I would change my hair, which started turning gray when I was 26 so everyone thinks I am much older than I am. I have even been called my sister's mom and she is only three years younger than me.

    ReplyDelete
  • Lisa Ks Book ReviewsJune 4, 2014 at 10:11 AM

    My middle name is Ann and I always hated it. It was suppose to be Marie, but while my Mom was sleeping away in her hospital bed, my Dad and the insurance man of all people had me named Lisa Ann. Daddy always called me that too. Lisa Ann, like it was Mary Ann. But I'm thankful now to Daddy, because even though I was born before her, later in life I'm sure I would have been asked over and over if I was named after Lisa Marie Presley. My little sister is the only on to have ever nicknamed me and she only uses it once in a while. She calls me LeRe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bailey BirdJune 4, 2014 at 11:20 AM

      Ha! And your mother didn't get a vote? Men!! LOL

      Bailey

      Delete
  • Betty Louise DavenportJune 4, 2014 at 11:20 AM

    I was called Betty Lou until I wanted to be call Betty. There was a Betty Lou in my class and we disliked each othef

    ReplyDelete
  • Daryl Wood Gerber a.k.a. Avery AamesJune 4, 2014 at 11:21 AM

    From Daryl (the author) - love all these comments. Thanks so much to all for playing along with Bailey and entering the contest, too. Remember, someone will be picked at the end of the day! Savor the mystery!

    Daryl Wood Gerber aka Avery Aames

    ReplyDelete
  • RitaJune 4, 2014 at 11:30 AM

    My real name is Finnish, I dropped a letter from my name because people couldn't pronounce it.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  • MichstjameJune 4, 2014 at 11:34 AM

    I do like my name, Michelle (Mich or Mish for short), though when I was little I wanted a more unusual name like our dogs had (it's possible I actually wanted to BE a dog--I was rather an odd kid). When I married, I vacillated about whether or not to change my last name and ultimately decided not to, but I did change my middle name to my mother's maiden name because it always bothered her that she gave it up.
    michstjame at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bailey Bird from the Cookbook Nook MysteriesJune 4, 2014 at 3:05 PM

      You mean like Spike or Rover? :) How cute!

      Bailey from Crystal Cove

      Delete
    2. MichstjameJune 4, 2014 at 7:15 PM

      Actually our dogs had names like Shadrach and Babylon. :)

      Delete
  • Libby DoddJune 4, 2014 at 11:37 AM

    Names are tricky things. I did not change my last name when I married 42 years ago. The name was "me".

    ReplyDelete
  • Natalie WipfJune 4, 2014 at 11:53 AM

    My name is Natalie. Nickname is Natty (Betty) Crocker if I'm cooking and Natty (Martha) Stewart if I'm crafting. I love my name and wouldn't change it.

    ReplyDelete
  • AnonymousJune 4, 2014 at 12:06 PM

    My name is Sandra, and my nickname is Sandy. I am happy with my name.

    ReplyDelete
  • AnonymousJune 4, 2014 at 12:47 PM

    My name is Karen I never thought about changing it

    ReplyDelete
  • Ronna LordJune 4, 2014 at 12:56 PM

    Do I like my name? Yes and no. I am actually old enough that "security" hasn't always been an issue. My parents had a debate on my middle name. One wanted me named after a favorite aunt--Lou. The other wanted to put her name as my middle name--Katherine. So I ended up with Lou. Not my choice. So when I was in high school and we were filling out government forms, we were told to fill in out full legal name. I decided to "fix it" then and there. So I added my name of preference, thus havin four names instead of three. Low and behold, that then became my "legal" name, which was only modified when I added my married name a few years later. There has never been a question about that chance I made for myself. All my legal papers have my addition. As a result, we gave each of outer children two middle names. The tradition has continued down to every one of our grandchildren. Now, I understand that today's security would never allow for that little high school trick of mine, but it sure makes a good story and tradition in our family. So "yes" NOW, I like my name for sure!!!! Ronnalord(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bailey Bird from the Cookbook Nook MysteriesJune 4, 2014 at 3:06 PM

      Ronna, sweet! What a fun tradition to pass down, too.

      Bailey from Crystal Cove

      Delete
  • AnonymousJune 4, 2014 at 1:21 PM

    My given name is Sandra. I'm only called that at an office where I have an appointment (when they call my name). I prefer to be called Sandy, mom or gramma. Although, when my awesome husband calls me "baby" I melt! Sandy in So. Cali sxygrndma48(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  • Darkand StormynightJune 4, 2014 at 1:28 PM

    I am surrounded by people who don't use their given names - my great grandmother was 'Bubby', my grandfather went by 'Red', my mother is 'Deed' or 'DeeDee' or sometimes 'DonnieMae' but never her given name of 'Donna', my sister Colleen has changed her name to 'Kate', my great aunt goes by 'Jeanie' even though her first name is Lana. We have family friends who have monikers like 'Lugga' and Pudgy'. I actually love my first name however, my family insists on adding a middle name that is not actually anywhere on my birth certificate but...what can I do? I think I shocked them all when I named my son 'London'! LOL! ~signing off~ Lisa 'Jean' - [email protected]

    ReplyDelete
  • Debbie SJune 4, 2014 at 1:32 PM

    Forgive me if there are 2 posts, my first doesn't look like it went through. I'm ok with my name now, I answer to Deborah, Debbie (preferred) or Deb (not crazy about). I was nicknamed Sam when I was younger (a shortened version of my maiden name).

    ReplyDelete
  • Lisa GeringJune 4, 2014 at 1:54 PM

    I would definitely change my name. Something more generic definitely. [email protected]. Although email addresses are a snap! Lol!

    ReplyDelete
  • Raquel MunizJune 4, 2014 at 2:23 PM

    I wish I had a middle name. So much so that I am going to give my children at least three names to choose from! Raquel36m (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bailey Bird from the Cookbook Nook mysteriesJune 5, 2014 at 10:02 AM

      Raquel, LOL! Bet they don't like writing their entire names very much. How about on all those forms with itty bitty spaces... Or on a check draft... Or... LOL. But what fun!

      Bailey Bird from Crystal Cove

      Delete
  • Liz StrawJune 4, 2014 at 3:05 PM

    I like my name I no longer go by Elizabeth, I call it my official, okey-dokey name, but it is my name and I like my middle name. My last name says it all. There are not a lot of people with the last name Straw - I rarely run into anyone - if I do we can usually track down a common ancestor. Although I haven't run into many outside of the state I live in and there are several further out west. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bailey Bird from the Cookbook Nook mysteriesJune 4, 2014 at 3:08 PM

      Perhaps you are the last Straw. (Okay, everyone, a collective groan, please! I'm not a punster. My mother, who owns the Pelican Brief Diner can pun with the best of them.) Thanks for chiming in!

      Bailey Bird from Crystal Cove

      Delete