It is always a pleasure to take tea with the genteel ladies of the Bluestocking Belles. Seven lovely ladies with a taste for all things Regency which is where the similarity ends. They all write very different books but occasionally they get together and collaborate on a delightful anthology of Regency Romance short stories.
And I am delighted to welcome Miss Nicole Zoltack to talk about some Regency Christmas traditions and introduce us to HOLLY AND HOPEFUL HEARTS... (25% of proceeds are going to charity)
And I am delighted to welcome Miss Nicole Zoltack to talk about some Regency Christmas traditions and introduce us to HOLLY AND HOPEFUL HEARTS... (25% of proceeds are going to charity)
Christmas in the Regency Era
There’s something magical about the idea of falling in love during the holiday season. No one knows that better than the Bluestocking Belles, a group of seven Regency authors, who have released a second Christmas romance boxed set for you all to enjoy.
The great Jane Austen wrote “Merry Christmas” to her sister Cassandra one year—yes, Merry Christmas and not Happy Christmas. But while that phrase remains used today, carols were not sung back then, at least not outside of church. There were groups who would go from house to house, wassailing, singing songs that begged for drink, food, and money. Can you imagine going to your neighbor’s house and singing a song begging for food?
Houses were decorated with greenery but never earlier than on Christmas Eve because it was considered unlucky to. If you wished to have luck, then be sure to be the first one to sit on the felled Yule log before it went in the fireplace. But the log would be the only tree in the house. That’s right—no Christmas trees! That wasn’t a tradition until later. The same with gift giving, although some sources do mention that children may be given a new toy.
Speaking of greenery, don’t forget the misteltoe! And be sure to pluck a berry after stealing a kiss. Once all the berries were plucked, no more kisses were to be had. Might be a good time to go looking for another bough of mistletoe…
It’s fun to turn back the years and realize that some things were different, but some things remain the same. What traditions do you enjoy at Christmastime? Answer and you’ll be in the running to win an ebook of Joy to the World, my contribution to the Belle’s boxed set last year.
Love
Nicole http://nicolezoltack.com/
The great Jane Austen wrote “Merry Christmas” to her sister Cassandra one year—yes, Merry Christmas and not Happy Christmas. But while that phrase remains used today, carols were not sung back then, at least not outside of church. There were groups who would go from house to house, wassailing, singing songs that begged for drink, food, and money. Can you imagine going to your neighbor’s house and singing a song begging for food?
Houses were decorated with greenery but never earlier than on Christmas Eve because it was considered unlucky to. If you wished to have luck, then be sure to be the first one to sit on the felled Yule log before it went in the fireplace. But the log would be the only tree in the house. That’s right—no Christmas trees! That wasn’t a tradition until later. The same with gift giving, although some sources do mention that children may be given a new toy.
Speaking of greenery, don’t forget the misteltoe! And be sure to pluck a berry after stealing a kiss. Once all the berries were plucked, no more kisses were to be had. Might be a good time to go looking for another bough of mistletoe…
It’s fun to turn back the years and realize that some things were different, but some things remain the same. What traditions do you enjoy at Christmastime? Answer and you’ll be in the running to win an ebook of Joy to the World, my contribution to the Belle’s boxed set last year.
Love
Nicole http://nicolezoltack.com/
Holly and Hopeful Hearts
The Bluestocking Belles' 2016 Holiday Boxed Set
When the Duchess of Haverford sends out invitations to a Yuletide house party and a New Year’s Eve ball at her country estate, Hollystone Hall, those who respond know that Her Grace intends to raise money for her favorite cause and promote whatever marriages she can. Eight assorted heroes and heroines set out with their pocketbooks firmly clutched and hearts in protective custody. Or are they?
The Bluestocking Belles are proud to present eight never before published novellas centered on the Duchess of Haverford's ball. Her favorite cause is also one dear to the hearts of the Bluestocking Belles, women's education. 25% of all proceeds will be donated to the Malala Fund.
Genre: Regency romance, historical romance, holiday romance
Heat rating: G-PG13
Buy Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2eifO1g
Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/ZMuH3049ELM
Amazon Australia: http://ow.ly/TczG3049EQ2
Amazon Canada: http://ow.ly/IERm3049EYM
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/664559
Kobo: http://ow.ly/Vx1n304jGzj
Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/LqCI304jGuS
iBooks: http://ow.ly/JcSI304jGWE
When the Duchess of Haverford sends out invitations to a Yuletide house party and a New Year’s Eve ball at her country estate, Hollystone Hall, those who respond know that Her Grace intends to raise money for her favorite cause and promote whatever marriages she can. Eight assorted heroes and heroines set out with their pocketbooks firmly clutched and hearts in protective custody. Or are they?
The Bluestocking Belles are proud to present eight never before published novellas centered on the Duchess of Haverford's ball. Her favorite cause is also one dear to the hearts of the Bluestocking Belles, women's education. 25% of all proceeds will be donated to the Malala Fund.
Genre: Regency romance, historical romance, holiday romance
Heat rating: G-PG13
Buy Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2eifO1g
Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/ZMuH3049ELM
Amazon Australia: http://ow.ly/TczG3049EQ2
Amazon Canada: http://ow.ly/IERm3049EYM
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/664559
Kobo: http://ow.ly/Vx1n304jGzj
Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/LqCI304jGuS
iBooks: http://ow.ly/JcSI304jGWE
About the Bluestocking Belles
The Bluestocking Belles, the “BellesInBlue”, are seven very different writers united by a love of history and a history of writing about love. From sweet to steamy, from light-hearted fun to dark tortured tales full of angst, from London ballrooms to country cottages to the sultan’s seraglio, one or more of us will have a tale to suit your tastes and mood. Come visit us at http://bluestockingbelles.net and kick up your bluestockinged heels!
BLUESTOCKING BELLES ON THE WEB: Look for us online...
Website and home of the Teatime Tattler: http://bluestockingbelles.net
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BellesInBlue
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BellesInBlue
Pinterest: www.Pinterest.com/BellesInBlue
Amazon Author page: www.amazon.com/author/BellesInBlue
BLUESTOCKING BELLES ON THE WEB: Look for us online...
Website and home of the Teatime Tattler: http://bluestockingbelles.net
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BellesInBlue
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BellesInBlue
Pinterest: www.Pinterest.com/BellesInBlue
Amazon Author page: www.amazon.com/author/BellesInBlue
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