The History of Valentine’s Day 3

In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and the Lupercalia festival was considered a time for purification and fertility.

Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out, and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors.

Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival as well dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

Women who wished to bear children would be chased after by lusty young unmarried men, and tapped with whips which were made from a dried bull’s penis (see Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, which describes Caesar’s wife Calpurnia as taking part in the festival, with Marc Antony bearing the whip in order to help his friend. Caesar is of course killed on the Ides of March, a month later, and Antony seeks revenge on his killers. Shakespeare was making a deliberate contrast of love with the selfishness of the conspirators, and hope with the foreshadowing of Caesar’s death).

Whatever the source of the Valentine’s legend,  from anyone of the martyred saints of that name, to pagan fertility rights, Valentine’s Day should not just be a Hallmark or Kodak moment.

It has stood the test of time and offers us one day of the year to celebrate love, particularly romantic love, with our nearest and dearest, in the form of a card or gifts, yes, but also thoughtfulness.

Happy Valentine’s to all!

Posted January 31, 2009 Comments(0)

The History of Valentine’s Day 2

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself.

While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor’s daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today.

Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.

Therefore, it is no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial — which occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to ‘Christianize’ celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival which took place every year.

Posted January 29, 2009 Comments(0)

The History of Valentine’s Day 1

Every year, around February 14th, across the world, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.

But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?

The history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery.

But we do know that February has long been a month of romance.

St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of pagan, Christian and ancient Roman traditions.

February 2nd was the Celtic festival of Imbolc (’in the belly’), a fertility rite (now lingering in the modern day as Groundhog Day also, in which he determines how long the cold weather will last).

As for the Christian and Roman traditions, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers.

Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Posted January 27, 2009 Comments(0)

Heart of Hearts Lollipop Bouquet

DELICIOUS AND UNIQUE:

Heart of Hearts Lollipop Bouquet
From: CookieHQ.co

Hearts never looked or tasted so sweet. Send this lollipop bouquet of fifteen, hand poured, hard candy, heart shaped lollipops.

The assorted flavors include marshmallow, watermelon and strawberry.

This is perfect for any Valentine who has a sweet tooth! This bouquet is completed with a Happy Valentine’s chocolate message lollipop.

It is carefully packed to ensure safe arrival.

Gift messages are available with this gourmet item. Gift card messages are hand-written on decorative business card size cards, up to 250 characters.

Impress your loved one and show them who is the sweetest with this great lollipop bouquet.

Heart of Hearts Lollipop Bouquet
From: CookieHQ.com

Posted January 25, 2009 Comments(0)

Show them you love them “Beary” Much

Tin of 16 Chocolate Valentine Oreos® & Large Bear
From: CookieHQ.com

Now you can give your loved one a very special and customized Valentine’s Day gift, with the A Beary Valentines Day Oreo Tin Box.

This cuddly Russ bear comes with his arms lovingly wrapped around a keepsake glossy enamel tin that contains 16 of the famous Cookies HQ Valentine’s oreos.

You will get 2 scrumptious layers of Belgian Chocolate (dark, milk and white) surrounding Oreo® Cookies!

These cookies are baked every day, so they are sure to be fresh when Mom receives them. Each of the 16 cookies is hand decorated by Icing Artists, for an impressive and festive display any recipient will just love.

The golden honey-colored Russ® Teddy Bear is 15.5″, a delightful accompaniment to this delicious gift, and one that will be treasured for years to come.

It is wrapped and packaged with delicate care to allow safe shipping with no cookie breakage. A beautiful gift card is available with this cookie gift and is hand written on a decorative card the size of a business card.

There is no sweeter way to send love to those of all ages this Valentine’s Day than with a tin of 16 chocolate Valentine’s Oreos® and a Russ® Teddy Bear!

Value for money: Cookie HQ offers this delightful gift at an excellent price.

Please note: Cookie HQ gifts are not suitable for anyone with a nut allergy due to the processes at their plant.

Tin of 16 Chocolate Valentine Oreos® & Large Bear
From: CookieHQ.com

Posted January 24, 2009 Comments(0)

Custom Sweets Gift Basket

Custom Sweets Gift Basket
From: CookieHQ.comCookie HQ.com

Anyone shopping for a great gift idea for mom or a special lady in your life will love the great value of this special Custom Sweets Gift Basket.

Why not give your loved one a really special gift on this Valentine’s Day with a large sugar cookie decorated with your picture on it!

This delightful gift for Valentine’s Day starts with an 11 inch premium Willow gift basket and includes a custom sugar photo cookie, with your special message, photo or logo on it.

In addition, there are six Belgian Chocolate Oreo Cookies, six Belgian Chocolate Hand Dipped Fortune Cookies, and an extra large Chocolate Dipped Gourmet Brownie.

Imagine her surprise when she opens this beautiful gift and finds the heart shaped sugar cookie with your picture right on it!

The cookies are individually wrapped and arranged inside the premium Willow Basket, (which is filled with a coordinating crinkle shred before the cookies are added), then heat sealed to ensure they arrive in one piece on Valentine’s Day.

The Custom Sweets Gift Basket offers excellent value for money and is a gift that will be remember for many years to come. This is a great gift for your mom, a family member who would love a photo of all of you, and a terrific gift for anyone who loves cookies. And who doesn’t!?

Say it with cookies this Valentine’s Day at:

Custom Sweets Gift Basket
From: CookieHQ.com

Posted January 23, 2009 Comments(0)

Ah, Valentine’s Day!

The one day of the year when romance can take center-stage.

In this area, we will give you some great ideas on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved ones.

You’ll find recipes, gift ideas, and more.

Posted January 22, 2009 Comments(0)

The Wildest Heart
Jacinta Carey
Setting: Wyoming, 1865

Rebecca Whitaker is struggling to keep her family ranch from foreclosure by trading with the Shoshone Indians, working in a saloon, and raising horses. Enter the mysterious Walker Pritchard, claiming he wishes to stay with Reb to leave the memories of the war behind and learn about the ways of the west.

Their intense attraction starts to turn to love, a new and dazzling experience for them both. But can Reb trust Walker? What are his real motives for coming to the Bar T, and how did he know there would be gold in those hills?

Falsely accused of murder, Walker must make a terrible choice between telling the truth to clear his name, but putting Reb’s family at even greater risk than they face already, or trying to defend himself without revealing all that happened at the fateful battle of Richmond.

As their enemies close in, Reb must fight to discover the truth in time to save Walker as well as her ranch from the unscrupulous men who will destroy anyone or anything in the way of their worldly ambitions.

Walker heaved up the two pails onto his shoulders using a tree branch as a makeshift yoke, and went stumping into the kitchen.

He put the pails down, and looked up to see a naked woman with the loveliest figure he had ever set eyes on rising from the foam. His mouth went dry. The tree branch fell with a clatter.

Reb’s aqua eyes met Walker’s black ones briefly, before she ducked back down into the suds with a small squeak.

“Walker, really, you should have shouted or something before you came stomping in here like that,” Reb grumbled, as she turned completely crimson.

“I ,uh, I am sorry, Rebel, uh, but,” Walker stammered, as she avoided his gaze and sank down even deeper into the suds until he could barely see her.

“But, Rebel, you could have just told me you were a woman, instead of playing such a silly game,” he began to scold.

“What game?”

“I thought you were a boy!”

Though how he could ever have made that error, he thought as he recalled the sight of her curves, he had no idea…

The Wildest Heart
Jacinta Carey
Setting: Wyoming, 1865
Word Count: 98,000 words
Rating: Quite Sensual

Click here to read the first chapter for free, or order:

The Wildest Heart

Posted January 21, 2009 Comments(0)

The Unquenchable Fire
Part 2 of The Fire of Love Series
Shannon Farrell

Riona Connolly’s saga, first begun in The Fire’s Center, continues as she struggles to make a life for herself in Dublin without her beloved Lucien. Through the enmity of Dr. O’Carroll and Lucien’s sister in law Antoinette, who has always wanted Lucien for herself, the couple seemed destined to separate forever.

Lucien Woulfe continues to battle between temptation and social convention. He aches for Riona with a fevered passion bordering on obsession. But how can he ever marry his former assistant at the clinic?

Yet his life with Riona seems so empty and hollow, Lucien begins to question the very nature of the life he has led for so long. But despite being an educated doctor, love seems to be an emotion he knows nothing about.

Riona knows she can’t live without it. The more Lucien demands of her, the more he drives her away, until she is desperate to escape from the life she was so sure she longed for.

Lucien’s brother Quentin proves an unexpected ally and confidant. Soon Riona finds herself returning to her beloved Donegal to fight the Famine there once more, this time on her own terms.

Riona begins to re-build her life in Donegal slowly. But a shipwreck in the Atlantic sets in motion a series of fateful events which will have earth-shattering consequences for both families.

Only the unquenchable fire of Riona’s spirit and the love she and Lucien share can ever help them overcome the devastation which surrounds them, and threatens all they hold dear.

Can their fiery love win through to a bright future, or will it too become yet another casualty of the Great Blight?

“Life is a risk, one big gamble. All I want to think about is the here and now, Lucien. Let the future take care of itself for a change,” Riona whispered before kissing him passionately.

His arms went around her at once, pulling her tightly to them so that there was no mistaking his desire. Hers too, for her breasts burgeoned against his chest, and she arched her back and gave a low moan from deep inside her throat as the fiery passion scorched them once more.

Yet this time, it was a conflagration which they simply could not seem to quench. Scattering their clothes in every direction, they hurried to gain the joyous sensation of bare flesh on flesh.

Riona was sure that she could never get enough of the magnificent man caressing her.

“I’m ready now, please,” she begged, her whole body clenching and unclenching with need as his hands travelled over her, rousing, exploring, setting her smoldering…

The Unquenchable Fire
Part 2 of The Fire of Love Series
Shannon Farrell
Genre=Historical Romance
Setting=Victorian Ireland, Irish Potato Famine
Rating: Very sensual

Word Count=72,400 words,  approx. 225 8.5 x 11 page

Format: Instant PDF download
Price=$3.99

Read the first chapter free here: The Unquenchable Fire

Posted January 20, 2009 Comments(0)

A timely free short story as we all think about our New Year’s Resolutions.

Click on the link to read more:

The River of Life by Sorcha MacMurrough

Posted January 4, 2009 Comments(0)