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Catherine Castle

~ Romance for the Ages

Catherine Castle

Tag Archives: A Regency Christmas Collection

Christmas Reads–Christmas Bouquets and Sweet Regency Christmas Romances from Emma Lane

24 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by Catherine Castle in Christmas Reads, clean romance, historical romance, Holiday Reads, Sweet romance, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

A Regency Christmas Collection, Christmas Bouquets, Emma Lane, Flower Arrangements, Thursday Christmas Reads

from Emma Lane

I love to create festive bouquets for any season, but my personal favorite is Christmas. The holiday colors are vibrant and a joy to bring together in stunning arrangements. So let’s talk a little about how you can create masterpieces for your home and as hostess gifts. The work isn’t hard. It simply takes a little patience.

It looks easy, but the greenery for bouquets is more complicated than you might think. I’m fortunate because there is a veritable forest in my front and back yards. I deliberately refrain from trimming the evergreen shrubs out front until the holidays. That gives me a very fresh start to my bouquet which is difficult to match with store bought greenery. If you have any type shrub in your yard it will work. If not then you are forced to purchase them. I strongly recommend you visit your local nursery for the foliage you want.

There’s a combination of old-fashioned yew shrub because it holds the needles for a good while. I add cuttings from a blue spruce just because I love the tinted color. Then my secret choice for Christmas is clippings from a juniper shrub for its heady, wintry seasonal fragrance. I once made a bouquet using only juniper but quickly learned why that wasn’t a good idea. They dry out rapidly and lose the rich green color most desired. So, tuck them in to smell good but toward the back. There are plenty of other types of evergreen shrubs for possible Christmas decorations. By all means, bring them inside and test their worthiness.

Next are the luscious red berries. They grow on a native shrub named winterberry (ilex, a member of the holly berry family) in slightly swampy terrain. No, don’t go wild crafting unless you wear high waterproof boots! Fortunately, our brilliant horticulturists have propagated this shrub for home gardeners. Consider planting them in your yard. You must have a male and female to get berries and it takes patience. They are not fast growers, but well worth the effort. Plant toward the back of the garden. The bush itself is not all that attractive until the Fall berries appear. Then you begin a vigil to pick them before the flocks of robins descend during migration. Cedar Waxwings love them too, but they are so beautiful I give in just for the pleasure of watching. Winterberries are frequently found for sale at late Farmers’ Markets and in craft and florist shops. They will dry out but seldom fall off unless bumped or roughly handled.

You all know about poinsettia, the official Christmas potted flower. It’s the brackets that have the color. The flower itself is the small yellow center bloom. I personally find them boring, but one day an idea came to me. I cut them as if for a cut flower bouquet. Here are a few photos to better explain.

 

Once I bought a pink one and lightly sprayed it a tinted blue, as a blue bouquet was what the customer needed, pairing it with sprayed-gold milk weed pods.

The last one is a pale pink mixed with dried dock and milk weed pods, the red berries tucked in here and there with a brass colored vase. I’m particularly fond of this one. Christmas bouquets need not always be red to be lovely.

 

I wish you all a beautiful healthy and happy holiday season!

Emma

Enjoy the holiday season with one or both of Emma Lane’s sweet Regency Romances collections. Here is a brief intro for you.

 

Families can be troublesome, but a next door neighbor can sometimes be even worse. Caroline is
a strong-willed young lady and refuses to be bullied by a handsome duke. Four sweet Regency romances to get you in the mood for the season.

Amazon Link


Winter storms swirling snow and unexpected guests on the eve of Christmas, the pungent fragrance of fresh pine boughs, springs of mistletoe hung with red ribbons, and a stolen kiss underneath the kissing ball comprise scenes of Christmas in the country. Ice skating anyone? Have a cup of wassail and toast your toes in front of a warm fire while you enjoy four short stories of sweet Regency Christmas
romances.

Amazon Link

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emma Lane is a gifted author who writes cozy mysteries as Janis Lane, Regency as Emma, and spice as Sunny Lane.

She lives in Western New York where winter is snowy, spring arrives with rave reviews, summer days are long and velvet, and fall leaves are riotous in color. At long last she enjoys the perfect bow window for her desk where she is treated to a year-round panoramic view of nature. Her computer opens up a fourth fascinating window to the world. Her patient husband is always available to help with a plot twist and encourage Emma to never quit. Her day job is working with flowers at Herbtique and Plant Nursery, the nursery she and her son own.

Look for information about writing and plants on Emma’s new website. Leave a comment or a gardening question and put a smile on Emma’s face.

Stay connected to Emma on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check out the things that make Emma smile on Pinterest.

Wednesday Writers Christmas Reads–The Love Letter Series by Suzanne G. Rogers

27 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by Catherine Castle in Book excerpts, Christmas Reads, Romance, Sweet romance, Wednesday Writers

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

A Gift for Fiona, A Gift for Lara, A Regency Christmas Collection, Christmas romance, Suzanne G. Rogers, Sweet romance, The Love Letter Series

Christmas is coming, and with that holiday season comes more Christmas romances. If you don’t now, I love Christmas and Christmas romances. So, to fill out the rest of the Wednesdays this year, I’m hosting fellow authors and their Christmas novels. Today you get a double treat. Suzanne G. Rogers, who is one of my favorite sweet regency authors, is talking about her Love Letter Series Christmas Romances, one of which is free! Welcome, Suzanne!

Thanks, Catherine.

In A Gift for Lara, I wanted to write a story about the true meaning of Christmas, particularly when it comes to presents. The best sort of gift sparks joy and happiness…but selecting just the right gift can be tricky. In the Victorian era, the Christmas season was far less materialistic than it is today, and the gifts exchanged were often made by hand. In A Gift for Lara, Miles decides a certain course of action will be far more significant to Lara than anything else…yet an unlikely antagonist seems determined to defeat him at every turn

A Gift for Lara became one of my most popular ebooks, but when I sat down to write the sequel, A Gift for Fiona, the challenge became how to make readers root for a character who had been the antagonist in Book One. Fiona is essentially the black sheep of the family…but can this unconventional heroine be redeemed? Of course she can, but she must fully appreciate what she has done and be willing to change from within.

Together, A Gift for Lara and A Gift for Fiona became the Love Letters Series, two stories of twin sisters whose letters go astray.

A Gift for Lara: The man to whom Lara gave her heart four years ago will visit Blythe Manor for Christmas. How can she enjoy the holidays knowing he must despise her for revealing her feelings in such an unguarded fashion?

Excerpt (A Gift for Lara):

 

“Lara likes taking care of people,” Fiona said. “She’s always doing charity work in Blythe Village, but the poor are determined to stay poor. What is your opinion, Mr. Greystoke? Do you believe ministering to the downtrodden is a worthwhile activity?”

“The human condition cannot be changed,” Miles replied.

Lara peered at him, aghast. “Should those who are more fortunate than others turn a blind eye to poverty?”

“Not at all. However, I’ve noticed some men who inherit great fortunes fritter it all away in frivolous pastimes. Conversely, others of humble birth manage to create enormous wealth for themselves. There will always be inequality and poverty, no matter what any of us do.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Fiona said. “I believe the poor secretly despise us for our assistance. Let the church minister to the wretches and leave the rest of us alone.”

“The church can do nothing without its congregation,” Lara said. “We are the church.”

“I’m not expressing myself particularly well,” Miles said. “I simply believe that much of our efforts toward the poor are wasted.”

“Exactly!” Fiona exclaimed.

A sense of disappointment made Lara’s food taste like sawdust. Mr. Greystoke used to have a far bigger heart.

  • •••

 Gift for Fiona: Worried she’ll be on the shelf, Fiona pins her hopes on a handsome viscount. Unfortunately, his unexpected proposal to another girl hands her a stinging defeat. A new acquaintance awakens all her senses—until she realizes he’s related to the girl who stole her beau.

Excerpt (A Gift for Fiona):

She’d met many handsome and debonair gentlemen during her time in London, but she’d never seen one quite so…manly. He moved with athletic grace, his gaze scanning young women like a lion on the prowl. When his eyes found hers, the resulting shock made her jump. Her pulse began to race, and as he and Miles approached, she prayed she could speak without mangling her words. The man’s eyes rested on Lara momentarily, but returned almost immediately to Fiona. She was so flustered by his frank admiration, she barely listened to Miles’s introduction.

“Miss Lara Robinson, and Miss Fiona Robinson, I’m pleased to introduce Rory Braithwaite,” Miles said. “Rory, these are the Misses Robinson I’ve been telling you about. My brother William is married to their elder sister, Angelica.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” Fiona managed.

“Likewise.” His voice had a deep, purring quality that weakened her knees.

Lara gave the man a warm smile. “Are you any relation to Miss Iris Braithwaite, perchance?”

“Iris is my twin sister.”

“Another pair of twins, then,” Lara said. “We’re in good company.”

As if the man had cracked a whip next to her ear, Fiona snapped out of whatever momentary emotional stupor she’d fallen into. Indeed, she could see the family resemblance now, although the strong nose, square jaw and chiseled cheekbones found more favor on Rory’s face than his sister’s. Nevertheless, the man might as well have sprouted hair from his ears and clusters of warts from his chin for all the appeal he held for her now.

  • •••

Buy Links:

A Gift for Lara is free at your favorite bookstore: https://books2read.com/u/4NG6nJ

A Gift for Fiona is available at Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yy4ybe9d or your favorite bookstore: https://books2read.com/u/mBPdyO

The Love Letters duology is available at your favorite bookstore: https://books2read.com/u/b5rVRw or you can purchase it in paperback format here: https://tinyurl.com/y692fd44

 

About the Author:

Bestselling author Suzanne G. Rogers is a California native, but she changed coastlines and now lives in romantic Savannah, Georgia, on an island populated by deer, exotic birds, turtles, otters, and gators. She’s owned by a Sphynx cat named Houdini. Writing blush-free, young adult fiction is her passion.

Follow Suzanne G. Rogers on Twitter: https://twitter.com/suzannegrogers • Her blog: https://suzannegrogers.com/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneGRogers/

 

Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads: A Regency Christmas Collection II by Emma Lane

10 Thursday Nov 2016

Posted by Catherine Castle in books, Christmas Reads, Romance

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

A Regency Christmas Collection, A Regency Christmas Collection II, Catherine Castle's Christmas Reads blog series, Christmas romances, Emma Lane, excerpt from A Regency Christmas Collection II, Regency Romance, The Vicount's Second Chance

 

 

a-ragency-christmas-collection2Today’s Christmas Read is an excerpt from Emma Lane’s A Regency Christmas Collection II, due out later this month. The first book in this collection series, A Regency Christmas Collection is currently available on Amazon. Here’s a quick blurb from each of the A Regency Christmas Collection II novellas, and an excerpt from A Vicount’s Second Chance.

 

A Viscount’s Second Chance — Whereas cold winds blow a hefty dose of karma to unite two star-crossed lovers.

The Duke’s Christmas Kissing Ball — Whereas a patient duke finally makes his move before a Yuletide celebration. He makes good use of the Kissing Ball.

An Earl’s Christmas Miracle –Whereas a snowy accident opens the eyes of a lonely lord to love.

The Skating Party — Whereas a duke is startled to face competition before he finally realizes how much he has to lose.

A Vicount’s Second Chance

By Emma Lane

 

“Sweet Amy! God in Heaven, how I have missed you! Why did you leave me?” He raised her hand and kissed it gently.

She could feel the warmth of his breath on her wrist as he kissed her there as well. He tugged her toward him until she was inches away. Her heart thudded in her chest until she thought it would leave her body. That nickname…Amy was his pet name for her so many years ago. She longed to relax in his arms. Perhaps just for one moment and then she would…

“Amy, Amy, just let me hold you. It’s been so long.” He enfolded her in a tight embrace, her head on his shoulder. Someone moaned a sound of pleasure, but which of them was guilty, she knew not. A thrill of happiness shot through her until she thought she would break apart. Finally, sanity returned and she pulled away.

He protested and tried to bring her back to him. “Oh, please. I have waited so long to hold you. Please, Amy.”

But she continued to firmly add space between them. She placed her fingers on his lips and soothed them. “Alex, I won’t deny I have feelings for you, but I won’t be anyone’s mistress. You ought to know that.”

A shock of surprise flashed across his handsome face.

“You left me and married another. What did you expect?” she declared vehemently, stood, and walked a ways away from him. Standing in front of the fireplace, she wrapped her arms around herself. Did she seek protection from him or her own feelings of vulnerability?

“Amy? You are aware I’ve been a widower for a couple of years now, aren’t you?” His voice was one of quiet but tight control, as if she were a child needing reassurance from a parent.

To read more about this book, and buy it when it comes out,  check out Emma’s Amazon Author Page

About the Author:

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Emma Lane lives in Western New York where Winter is snowy, Spring arrives with rave reviews, Summer days are long and velvet, and Fall leaves are riotous in color. At long last she enjoys the perfect bow window for her desk where she is treated to a year-round panoramic view of nature. Her computer opens up a fourth fascinating window to the world.

She writes Regency Romance as Emma Lane, but delights in dipping into a Cozy Romantic Mystery (Janis Lane) in between sipping tea with sweet biscuits. A winter visit to the Southern US produces sweet romances set in Florida including nature photography and wild beasts that roam in the night.

She is also part owner of a “Herbtique and Plant Nursery” and will answer gardening questions at her website.  Connect with her and post gardening questions on her Facebook page or send her questions via email jan25@roadrunner.com

 

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