Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #22
Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 5 grand prizes!
The hunt BEGINS on 3/14 at noon MST with Stop #1 at LisaTawnBergren.com.Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt—you have all weekend (until Sunday, 3/17 at midnight MST)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books and learn new things about them.Submit you entry for the grand prizes by collecting the CLUE on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at the final stop, back on Lisa’s site. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!Hi, I’m Jennifer Deibel, but my friends call me Jen. I’m a middle school ELA teacher by day, wife and mom all the time, and writer by any other time. LOL I write Christian historical romance set in Ireland. My stories aim to whisk you away to rolling green hills, lilting music, and more while encouraging and challenging you in your faith journey, no matter where you are along that path. Oh, and there’s always some swoony kisses along the way. 
I hang out online mostly on Instagram, but also on Facebook. I hope to see you there!
My newest release is another dreamy historical romance, The Irish Matchmaker. Here’s what it’s about:
Catriona Daly is no stranger to the business of love–even though personally she has yet to find it. Eager for a match of her own and a fresh start away from her sleepy village, she makes grand plans for the annual Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. She never expects a shy, widowed sheep farmer to distract her from her goal.
A matchmaking tale set in Ireland? Did you know that there’s a real life matchmaking festival that takes place every September in the wee village of Lisdoonvarna, even to this day??
Third generation matchmaker, Willie Daly, keeps the tradition alive that started way back in the late 1800’s!
It all started when a local doctor discovered the mineral spa wells scattered all around the area of this small village located in the heart of County Clare! I’d like to show you some of the real-life places that inspired this story!
The Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells Heritage Center
© The John Hinde Archive / Mary Evans Picture Library
Once the good doctor discovered the wells and their medicinal qualities, he started advertising it to the wealthy in the area. They started coming to take the waters, and used it as an opportunity to make suitable matches for their children, as it was one fo the few times they were able to mingle with others of their own station.
Fun fact, this image makes up part of the cover of The Irish Matchmaker, and is an actual painted glass negative of a photo from the area at the time the story is set!
2. The Matchmaker Bar/Pub
Photo Credit: http://www.sheilahaycoxphotography.co...
This wee pub in the heart of Lisdoonvarna is the inspiration for The Imperial Pub our heroine and her father live over. Catríona Daly and her father, Jimmy, are a nod to the generations of matchmakers that have helped people find their true love over the centuries. According to my research, this was originally named The Imperial Bar and was changed to The Matchmaker Bar later when the festival really gained traction and popularity.
3. This Lisdoonvarna Town Square
Photo found on Booking.com
Situated right in the heart of Lisdoonvarna, the town square serves as gathering place, picnic spot, and more for the locals. And the perfect place for a midday dance to celebrate the midpoint of the festival–which is what happens in The Irish Matchmaker. They’ve even erected sculptures of dancing couples of musicians. One of the most pivotal moments of the story takes place right on this exact spot.
Here’s the Stop #22 Basics:
If you’re interested, you can order The Irish Matchmaker on Baker Book House, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at your local bookstore!
Clue to write down: a big TBR
Link to Stop #23, the next stop on the Loop: Tracie Peterson’s Site!
But, wait, there’s more!
I’m offering a special giveaway to anyone who stops by my post! You can win a signed bookplate for The Irish Matchmaker, a set of Irish-themed earrings, and a handmade version of Pete the Cow from the story!
Simply comment on this post with the favorite place you’ve traveled to via book! I’ll choose a winner at random once the contest closes!
