0 Fall into Romance - blog hop

Who are your Auto-buy Authors?

Today I’m delighted to take part in The Romance Reviews blog hop. As part of the hop I’m supposed to post about my favourite romance book – but after writing a shortlist the length of an A4 paper I threw up my hands in frustration. My problem lies in loving most of the books written by my favourite authors –  How to choose between them?
[GIVEAWAY details at the end of this post]
 

I might, just might, be able to choose a favourite series – but even that is a tough call. It would be between Tessa Dare’s, ‘Spindle Cove’, and Elizabeth Hoyt’s ‘Maiden Lane’ series. Both authors provide in spadefuls what I look for in a first class read: the escapism of the past, heroes with hidden secrets and wilful, but honourable heroines battling their attraction to an unsuitable lover.
 

You’ve probably guessed by now that I’m a fan of historical romance. Other authors who I can usually rely on to feed my addiction are Lisa Kleypas (especially her yummy ‘Bow Street’ books), Mary Balogh and Katharine Ashe. Most of these authors are on my ‘auto-buy’ list, but I’m always on the look out for new recommendations – this leads me to ask, who are your auto-buy authors?
Do share them with us (they don’t have to be historical romance) by leaving a comment.
 

Leave a comment below for a chance to win. I’m offering three lucky people their choice of an eBook copy of Eulogy's Secret, Hope's Betrayal or Verity's Lie from The Huntley Trilogy [see side bar for details].
Please leave a contact email address and which book you would like to win.
The hop runs until September 21st - so plenty of time to comment here and visit the other stops!
Good luck.
G x

Click to visit the next stop!

Detail: Fall into Romance - blog hop

0 Is "Happy Ever After" Just a Fairy Tale?

Win a $10 Amazon voucher.
To enter see the flash at the end of this post.

Romance readers expect a 'happy ever after' ending - but is this just a fairy tale?

Whilst doing research for my historical romances, it is amazing how the truth can be stranger than fiction. In the past, when couples married if their dreams didn't come true and a husband tired of his wife, it seems selling the spouse was an acceptable means of disposing of her. If this theme seems familiar, it may be because Thomas Hardy used the subject of wife-selling in his novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge.

Wife-selling on market day.

Since a wife was legally her husband's property and there were no laws against selling a spouse, it seems it was not an unusual occurrence.
The toll book of the Bell Inn, Birmingham records such a sale:
‘Samuel Whitehouse….this day sold his wife, Mary Whitehouse, in the open market to Thomas Griffiths…value 1 shilling. Taken with all her faults.’

31^st August 1773

 

It was even noted with alarm (or sarcasm?) in the Times on 22^nd July 1797:
‘The increasing value of the fair sex is esteemed by several eminent writers to the certain criterion of increasing civilization…and refined improvement as the price of wives has risen at that market [Smithfield]from half a guinea to three guineas and a half [GBP 294 today!].’

Indeed, another example was the clergyman, Thomas Snowdell, who married during the brief reign of King Edward VI (Henry VIII's son). When Edward died and his half-sister Mary took the throne, Queen Mary changed the law such that married clerics faced a choice between giving up their living…or their wife. The Rev. Snowdell decided his stipend was the more important of the two options and sold his wife to the local butcher!

 

Contempary drawing by Thomas Rowlandson.

 

However some husbands were a little too honest when selling their wives, as with farmer Joseph Thomson and his spouse of 3 years. He offered her for auction in Carlisle, listing her bad points as
‘Born serpent’ and ‘his tormentor.’
Amongst her better features he lists;
‘She can read novels, milk cows, makes butter and scold the maid…she is a good judge of the quality of rum, gin or whisky from long experience of tasting it.’
Thomson wanted 50 shillings (GBP 160 today) but accepted the knock down price of 20 shillings and a Newfoundlanddog, which all parties were happy with!

We all know marriage is no fairy tale (except in romantic fiction J)but really, part- exchanging a wife for a dog - whatever next?

 

If you have enjoyed this blog post, and to enter the prize draw for a $10 Amazon voucher (or UK equivalent) simply register for Grace's newsletter (every 2 months) using the link below:
You will also be entered in the  draw for the FMB Blog Hop overall GRAND PRIZE of a $100 Amazon voucher!

DRAW NOW CLOSED - THE WINNER IS 'TIN'
CONGRATULATIONS - YOUR $10 VOUCHER SHOULD BE IN YOUR INBOX.
G x

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By subscribing you are automatically entered in the draw.

Good luck!

 

With thanks to Cheezburger.com

 

 

Detail: Is "Happy Ever After" Just a Fairy Tale?

0 New Year - A new take on an old custom?

Did you know, in the UK, New Year's Day was only declared a public holiday in 1974?

Giveaway blog hop!

For a chance to win an ebook copy of either "Eulogy's Secret" or "Cat Pies" simply follow the link and "like" my FB author page,
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER - ELIZABETH!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-Elliot/173092742739684?v=wall&sk=wall

 and leave a comment below.

Please state your prefered book and leave an email address.

Good luck!

******

Rich with the symbolism of the old year passing and welcoming the new, it seems right to see the New Year in - as a time for fresh starts and resolution.

Be it full-blown celebration or quietly 'staying up to see the New Year' what will you be doing this year? Here are just a couple of the traditions associated with New Year.

Allendale guisers. - an new take on an old custom?

The term "guiser" is likely derived from the word "disguise" and used widely in English customs, denoting people dressed up to adopt another persona. The Northumbrian town of Allendale has a tradition on 31st December, whereby forty fancy-dressed guisers parade through the streets, carrying barrels of burning pitch on their heads. They are accompanied by a brass band and the ceremony culminates at midnight with a large bonfire lit in the Market Place.

            The barrels are cut down to a depth of 12 inches and filled with rags and shavings soaked in paraffin, although originally tar would have been used, and set alight. The more romantic traditionalists say this custom has its roots in ancient fire worship carried out by the Vikings, Celts and Druids - whereas the truth is slightly less exciting!

            It seems in the mid 1800's someone came up with the idea of burning tar barrels to light the path for the band that traditionally walked the streets on New Years Eve. Nearly a hundred years later, during the second World War, it seems the villagers were so proud of their tradition they were reluctant to stop it when blackouts were imposed.

            "When war broke out and many of the guisers were called up for military service, blackout regulations enforced the cancellation of the bonfire. To maintain continuity of the custom, the local carpenter, Launcelot Bell, designed a…small tar barrel which he carried unlit…On the customary site of the bonfire he placed it inside a tin trunk, set fire to it and closed the lid. All the local people then danced around the trunk."

A New Year's Gathering - the tradition.

            The tradition of large crowds of strangers gathering together on New Year's Eve is widespread and most cities have a focal spot where this takes place. In London, the Illustrated London News (1897) records significant numbers collecting outside St Pauls Cathedral to hear the newly installed bells ring in the New Year. All went well for the first few years until the crowds became over large and 'uproarious' and cathedral authorities stopped the New Year bell ringing. Undeterred, the crowds still gathered.

            A letter to the Times in 1935 voiced the opinion that there was nothing inherently wrong with mass-gathering but they should be better organised - especially the singing, as recorded below:

            "In England we seldom sing en masse, except at football matches. In this respect our failing on New Year's Ever are particularly deplorable….emotion finds no orderly outlet….Leaderless, they make no united musical effort. Instead, individuals and small groups sing. The strains of a dozen banal and tuneless ditties intermingle depressingly."

So how will you see the New Year in? Any "banal and tuneless ditties" for you…or something altogether more uplifting? Do comment and tell us about your New Year traditions...and dont forget there's a giveaway prize for one lucky person!!

 http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com

Click link to full list of blog hop participants.

Detail: New Year - A new take on an old custom?