Quiz — Who is the new Word Wench?

Anne here. Since the loss of our beloved Jo, we wenches have been discussing who we would like to join us in Word Wench bloggery. Amazingly — because often making Word Wench decisions is a bit like trying to herd cats — we were unanimous in our first choice. And when we asked her, we were thrilled when she said yes! 

Her first blog will be on July 25th, and until then, we're keeping her wrapped in mystery.

But here for your intrigue and entertainment is a quiz about her. Not that we'll tell you who won or what the answer is until the 24th July, but there's a prize for someone who makes a correct answer.  So get a pen and paper and note your answers, then click on the link at the bottom, and see how right you were or weren't. Then come back and make a guess about who you think the new Word Wench might be.

Mystery Wench Quiz: (and no, that's not her below, it's Greta Garbo in The Mysterious Lady)

1) The new Word Wench is:
        a) North American
        b) Irish
        c) British
        d) Australasian

2) The new Word Wench writes:
        a) mysteries
        b) historicals
        c) contemporaries
        d) all of the above—in one book

3) The new Word Wench is fascinated by:
        a) the links between crochet and astrology
        b) the links between ants and clowns
        c) the links between cats and politicians
        d) the links between the past and the present

4) The new Word Wench is
        a) an Honorary Word Wench
        b) often recommended in our monthly What We're Reading posts
        c) a RITA award winner
        d) all of the above

(And that's not her, either  it's a portrait of Madame X by John Singer Sargent)

5) The new Word Wench is also:
        a) published internationally and translated into a number of other languages
        b) a NY Times bestseller
        c) multi award-winning
        d) all of the above

6) The new Word Wench is:
        a) a mad-keen jogger
        b) married with two children
        c) a dedicated bird-watcher
        d) not married and never has been

7) The new Word Wench's books:
        a) involve a lot of research
        b) involve very little research — it's fiction, after all
        c) are all set in Scotland
        d) are all set in the English Regency period

(Nor is that her — it's a portrait of Emma Hart, later Lady Hamilton, by George Romney.)

8) The new Word Wench
        a) never attends romance conferences
        b) only attends high-brow literary events
        c) attends a variety of writing conferences
        d) never goes to conferences, just stays home and writes

9) Some of the new Word Wench's favorite writers are:
        a) Mary Stewart
        b) Jan Cox Speas
        c) Meljean Brook 
        d) all of the above

10) The new Word Wench has won:
        a) the Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize
        b) the Romance Writers of America RITA award
        c) several Romantic Times Awards
        d) all of the above

Can you guess the identity of the new Word Wench? Find the answers to the quiz here, then come back and make your guess. The Word Wenches will neither confirm nor deny your guesses until the new Word Wench herself comes to blog on Monday 25th July, but someone who makes a correct answer will win one of her fabulous books.

PLEASE NOTE — This comp is now closed, and the mystery wench has made her first post. It's Susanna Kearsley, as most of you thought. We picked the first correct guess this time, so SHANNON MCEWEN, you're our winner. I'll email you. Anne

Comments

[Catherine Evans]

My guess is Eloisa James.

Welcome to whoever the new Wench is :)

Cath xo

[Shannon McEwan]

Completely drawn in by the quiz :)

Would it be Susanna Kearsley?

Looking forward to the big reveal!

[Shannon]

My vote is also for Susanna Kearsley. (I looked up Catherine Cookson prize winners to reach this conclusion

[PJ Ausdenmore]

I'm going to guess Susanna Kearsley too. I'm sure whoever it is will be a wonderful addition to the Word Wenches.

[Maggie Robinson]

I didn't even check the answers, but immediately thought one of my favorite writers, Susanna Kearsley, fits the bill. She's gotten me through some rough patches. So that's 4, LOL.

[Melinda Smith]

Guessing (and hoping for!) Susanna Kearsley too!

[Lillian Marek]

In the past week or so, when I've tried to post it doesn't seem to go through. Are you folks mad at me for some reason?
And SUsanna Kearsley was my guess too.

[Lillian Marek]

But that last post went through. Color me confused.

[Mary T]

I do miss Jo Beverly's contributions. They were always so interesting.

Although I guessed every answer correctly, I have no idea who the new wench is, but I'm sure she will meet the fine standards you ladies have set for your blog.

So welcome new wench - whoever you are!

[Dana Sherwood]

I'm guessing Susanna Kearsley, as well. :-)

[Anne H]

I'd also guess it's Susanna Kearsley, and welcome the new wench

[Margaret]

Hmmm. I notice I can't see your list of honorary wenches on this page - I'm sure it used to be visible! (okay - maybe there's still a link and I'm just missing it. Has been know to happen). I'm going to go with Jude Deveraux, but I think Susanna Kearsley is the more likely answer. Can't wait to see.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Lillian, blame it on the internet. -YOU- we love!

[Andrea Penrose]

As Mary Jo says—we LOVE you Lillian! Fie on the ether gremlins, but glad you are reconnected!

[Andrea Penrose]

Keep the guesses coming, everyone!

[Laura]

Thank you! I miss her too, but I'm excited for our new wench!

[Sherry]

I was thinking of Susanna Kearsley even before I read the answers to the quiz.

[Laura]

Hello Margaret! The honorary word wenches list is farther down on the page, scroll down to the bottom, and it is on the right hand side! Things have been getting moved around a bit, and even though I'm the one that moves them, I still have to look really carefully from time to time.

Melissa

[Faith Freewoman]

The Catherine Cookson makes me also think it's Susanna Kearsley. How exciting!!! ALL the guesses are exciting!!!

Faith

[Faith Freewoman]

Hmmmm. I said ALL the guesses. Then went and looked again. Looks like a pretty single-minded consensus is going on.

F

[Beverly Abney]

I somehow thought Susanna Kearsley would be British, so I never would have guessed her.

[Patricia Franzino]

I think it's Susanna Kearsley whose work I've loved for years. If it is her, I look forward to reading her blogs.

[Kathy]

My guess would be Diana Gabaldon. Can't wait to find out who it is. I know she'll be fantastic whom ever she is.

[Laura Vivanco]

Put me down as another guess for Susanna Kearsley.

[cayenne]

+1 for Susanna Kearsley. If so, a terrific choice! Though I know anyone who joins you will be a wonderful new Wench :)

[willaful]

Just to be different, my guess is Lauren Willig. ;-)

[Laura Davies Tilley]

Goodness! Not going to guess but whoever she is she sounds wonderful (presuming "she" because of "wench" :D )

[Natalija]

My guess it's Susanna Kearsley.

[Jayne smith]

Grace Burrowes is my guess as she is awesome

[Tempest]

Susanna Kearsley would be AWESOME . . . but then, anyone the wenches agree on would fit that description.

[Trish]

I guess Susanna Kearsley, love her books!

[Larisa]

My guess is Susanna Kearsley.

[Rose]

I look forward to the new wench as well as to all of the future posts from current wenches. Life is change and change is life, but I do so enjoy the constancy of this corner of the cyber universe. Thank you.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Rose. Yes, life is indeed change, but I also love the constancy of wenchdom. I was a reader of this blog long before I joined it, and it has always been my place to visit with my morning coffee. I love the community — of readers and wenches, and the discussions and exchanges we often have in the comments stream.

[Kelly Snyder]

I guess Susanna Kearsley

[Moriah]

I'm guessing Lauren Willig

[Vicki L.]

I'm guessing......a big blank! Because I haven't a clue. But I'm sure I will enjoy whoever it is....

[Madge Aalto]

Me too!

[Linda Herold]

I thought of Kathryn Johnson and Susanna Kearsley. I'll pick Susanna and hope I picked right!!

[Karen]

Pamela Hartshorne. That's my guess. :-) can't wait to find out for sure.

[Janice]

Also betting on Susanna Kearsley.

[Cristie]

My guess is Susanna Kearsley. Please let it be Susanna!

[Mary M.]

Dead giveaway: Susanna Kearsley is the ONLY listed winner of the Catherine Cookson prize. The quiz makes a clever introduction, though. Looking forward to the official announcement!

[Quantum]

Yes, The Cookson prize and also
The new Word Wench is fascinated by:
d) the links between the past and the present

Having enjoyed one of her time slips I'm quite excited by the prospect of Susanna Kearsley blogging!

[Laura Boon]

Hello Wenches, I think it is Susanna Kearsley. I'm looking forward to the big reveal.

[Kanchb]

Yep, Susanna Kersley was the author that came to mind as soon as I read that she wrote mysteries, historicals and contemporaries all in one book!

[Nancy]

I haven't read the quesses. I think it will be Susanna Kearsley. Thee important part is how well she works with the rest of you.

[Bona]

When I read the answers, I thought Lauren Willig, although I don't know if she's married with two children.

[Andrea Penrose]

Thank you, Rose! We love creating this community—and we love our readers that make it so much fun to do what we do. Like Anne, I loved the Wenches before I was lucky enough to be asked to join them. The give and take we all have is wonderful!

[Kareni]

What a fun quiz. My guess is Susanna Kearsley.

[Jane]

I'm guessing Susanna Kearsley, and I see I'm not alone.

[[email protected]]

My guess is Susanna Kearsley. She's a great writer.

If your considering expanding with even more new members then I nominate Lynn Kurland and Tessa Dare.

[Diane Eberly]

Would love it to be Diana Gabaldon but probably not. Only missed one answer - the 1st one. Too bad. Love all the Wenches. Diane

[Linnea]

I haven't read any Susanna Kearsley books. I guess I had better start!

Right now I am working my way through the Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs mysteries, since I have read almost every available word wench book.

[Stefanie]

My guess is... Susanna Kearsley.
I haven't read any of her books yet, so I guess I'll have to add them to my wishlist. :)