History of Samhain/Halloween

The History Of Samhain

And Halloween

Samhain's History Samhain (pronounced Sow-en), dates back to the ancient Celts who lived 2,000 years ago. Contrary to what some believe, is not a celebration of a Celtic god of the dead. Instead, it is a Celtic word meaning "summer's end." The Celts believed that summer came to an end on October 31st and the New Year began on November 1st with the start of winter. But the Celts also followed a lunar calendar and their celebrations began at sunset the night before.   Many today see Halloween as the pagan holiday. But that's not really accurate. As the pagan holiday of Samhain is on November 1st. But their celebrations did and still do, start at sunset on October 31st, on Samhain Eve. During the day on October 31st, the fires within the home are extinguished. Often families would engage in a good "fall" cleaning to clear out the old and make way for the new. Starting the winter months with fresh and clean household items.   At sunset on October 31, clans or local villages begin the formal ceremonies of Samhain by lighting a giant bonfire. The people would gather around the fire to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. It was a method of giving the Gods and Goddesses their share of the previous years herd or crops. In addition these sacred fires were a big part of the cleansing of the old year and a method to prepare for the coming new year.   During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, and danced around the bonfire. Many of these dances told stories or played out the cycles of life and death or commemorated the cycle of Wheel of Life. These costumes were adorned for three primary reasons.   The first was to honor the dead who were allowed to rise from the Otherworld. The Celts believed that souls were set free from the land of the dead during the eve of Samhain. Those that had been trapped in the bodies of animals were released by the Lord of the Dead and sent to their new incarnations. The wearing of these costumes signified the release of these souls into the physical world.   Not all of these souls were honored and respected. Some were also feared as they would return to the physical world and destroy crops, hide livestock or 'haunt' the living who may have done them wrong. The second reason for these traditional costumes was to hide from these malevolent spirits to escape their trickery.   The final representation was a method to honor the Celtic Gods and Goddesses of the harvest, fields and flocks. Giving thanks and homage to those deities who assisted the village or clan through the trials and tribulations of the previous year. And to ask for their favor during the coming year and the harsh winter months that were approaching.   In addition to celebrations and dance, it was believed that this thin veil between the physical world and the Otherworld provided extra energy for communications between the living and the dead. With these communications, Druid Priests, and Celtic Shamans would attempted to tell the fortunes of individual people through a variety of methods. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.   These psychic readings would be conducted with a variety of divination tools. Such as throwing bones, or casting the Celtic Ogham. There is some historical evidence that additional tools of divination were also used. Most of this comes from writings recorded by Roman invaders, but there are stories of reading tea leaves, rocks and twigs, and even simple spiritual communications that today we'd call Channeling. Some historians have suggested that these early people were the first to use tiles made from wood and painted with various images which were the precursor to Tarot Cards. There's no real evidence to support this, but the 'story' of these tiles has lingered for centuries.   When the community celebration was over, each family would take a torch or burning ember from the sacred bonfire and return to their own home. The home fires that has been extinguished during the day were re-lit by the flame of the sacred bonfire to help protect the dwelling and it's inhabitants during the coming winter. These fires were kept burning night and day during the next several months. It was believed that if a home lost it's fire, tragedy and troubles would soon follow.   With the hearth fires lit, the families would place food and drink outside their doors. This was done to appease the roaming spirits who might play tricks on the family.   The Romans began to conquer the Celtic territories. By A.D. 43 they had succeeded in claiming the majority of the Celtic lands. They ruled for approximately four hundred years combining or influencing many Celtic traditional celebrations with their own. Two Roman holidays were merged with Samhain. Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. Pomona's Day of Honoring, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.    Samhain to Halloween With the coming of Christianity in the 800s AD, the early Church in England tried to Christianize the old Celtic festivals. Pope Boniface IV designated the 1st of November as "All Saints Day," honoring saints and martyrs. He also decreed October 31 as "All Hallows Eve", that eventually became Hallow'een.   Scholars today widely accept that the Pope was attempting to replace the earlier Celtic pagan festival with a church-sanctioned holiday. As this Christian holiday spread, the name evolved as well. Also called All-hallows Eve or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day). 200 years later, in 1000 AD, the church made November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It is celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls' day, are called Hallowmas.    November 1st or May 13th? Some people confuse Samhain being originally celebrated in May with other pagan and early Christian holidays.   Samhain comes from the Gaelic word samain. "Sam" - summer and "fuin" - end. It literally means Summer's End. The early Irish and Brythonic cultures believed the year was divided in half. The dark half and the light half. Samhain marked the end of the light half and the beginning of the Celtic new year or the dark half.   According to Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia (1979 Vol 12 p 152), The Druids originated the holiday. It was a celebration of Saman Lord of the Dead who was the God of Evil Spirits. There is some debate about this origination as the Druids were not the only, or the first spiritual pagans of Ireland.   Some of the earliest archaeological evidence of the Celts come from their trade routes with the Greeks. Their culture can be followed with great precision from the 5th Century BC through the La Tène culture. From these early records with the Greeks we know of some of their great festivals and in particular one of their biggest Samhain the new years festival. Certainly we can gain information from Julius Caesar who wrote extensively about the Gauls during his invasion campaigns in Ireland during 4th Century BC. Eventually Rome is sacked by the Celts in 3rd Century BC, around 390BC. The Romans in general wrote of their warlike inhabitants and many of their barbaric celebrations. Which included Samhain.   In most if not all of these accounts, Samhain is immersed in blood and sacrifice. Often in the earliest of times, those sacrifices were human. One Greek account states these early Celts sacrificed prisoners captured during a battle during their New Years festival of Samhain. In The History and Origins of Druidism by Lewis Spencer writes about the Druids stating they burned their victims in holy fire which had to be consecrated by a Druid priest.   The confusion of May to November 1st probably comes from the Christians and pagan Roman festivals. The Roman Empire was a pagan culture. During their reign they held many pagan festivals and celebrations, one being the Feast of the Lemures on May 13th. During this time malevolent and restless spirits of the dead were appeased and festival participants would attempt to gain the favor of the spirits. The feast covered a three day period that honored "all the dead" with food, drink and sacrifice.   At the same time Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs. This was celebrated in the west from May 13, 609 to 610. Pope Gregory III (731–741) during an oratory in St. Peter's for the relics "of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world", moved All Saints Day to November 1.   This is further confused by the early Irish churches who did not celebrate All Hallows Day in November or May, but rather in early spring on April 20th during the Felire of Oengus and the Martyrology of Talaght. A festival of All Saints was already widely celebrated in the days of Charlemagne in November. But it took a decree at the insistence of Pope Gregory IV to all the bishops, that the celebration be confirmed on November 1st.   These early similar celebrations come together around 835AD. The Roman pagan festival is over taken by the early Church, the Irish Church conforms it's celebrations with Rome, and everyone seems to move their day of the dead to coincide with early Irish pagans and their celebration of Samhain on November 1st.   There's no doubt, however, that the Irish festival of Samhain has always been at the end of summer on November 1st, and has been one of the prominent harvest festivals for Celtic pagans from the past and the present.    The Evolution Of Halloween "Trick-or-treating" is a modern tradition that probably finds it's roots in the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.   "Dressing up" for Halloween gets it roots from dressing up around the sacred bonfire during the original Celtic festival. Some suggest, this practice originates from England, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world on Halloween. People thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes, so to avoid being recognized people would wear masks after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. In addition, these early English people, would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter or cause harm to their homes. A tradition obviously taken from the ancient Celtic pagans.   As European came to America, they brought their varied Halloween traditions with them. Celebration of Halloween in colonial times was much more common in Maryland and the southern colonies. Primarily because Celtic immigrants settled more in these regions than in the north.   As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups meshed together a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included "play parties," public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other's fortunes, dance, and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds. By the middle of the nineteenth century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country.   In the second half of the nineteenth century, America entered an age of mysticism. What was more often termed spiritualism. Metaphysical groups and clubs began to spring up throughout the Golden Age and the wealthier set of Americans. At the same time, America was welcoming a new group of immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland's potato famine of 1846. This new cultural influence brought with it a melding of Irish and English traditions, and a new Americans culture was born. People began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition. Young women believed that, on Halloween, they could divine the name or appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings, or mirrors.   In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers, than about ghosts, pranks, and witchcraft. At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season, and festive costumes. Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything "frightening" or "grotesque" out of Halloween celebrations. Because of their efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century.   By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular, but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide parties as the featured entertainment. Despite the best efforts of many schools and communities, vandalism began to plague Halloween celebrations in many communities during this time. By the 1950s, town leaders had successfully limited vandalism and Halloween had evolved into a holiday directed mainly at the young. Due to the high numbers of young children during the fifties baby boom, parties moved from town civic centers into the classroom or home, where they could be more easily accommodated.   Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trick-or-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats. A new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow.   By the 1990s, Americans have made Halloween one of the largest commercial holidays. Spending an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween costumes, accessories, decorations and pumpkins.    Samhain Traditions To pagans the world over, November 1st, still marks the beginning of the New Year. To Witches and Pagans, Samhain is the Festival of the Dead, and for many, it is the most important Sabbat (Holiday) of the year. Although the Feast of the Dead forms a major part of most Pagan celebrations on this eve, and at Samhain voluntary communications are expected and hoped for. The departed are never harassed, and their presence is never commanded. The spirits of the dead are, however, ritually invited to attend the Sabbat and to be present within the Circle.   Orange and Black: The colors of this Sabbat are black and orange. Black to represent the time of darkness after the death of the God (who is represented by fire and the sun) during an earlier sabbat known as Lughnasadh, and the waning of light during the day. Orange represents the awaiting of the dawn during Yule (Dec. 21st to Jan. 1st) when the God is reborn.   Jack O'Lanterns: There is some debate about the origination of Jack-o-lanterns. One line suggests this custom originated from the lighting of candles for the dead to follow as they walked the earth. These candles were placed in hallowed out gourds and put on the ground to light the way.   Others suggest the practice originates from a Christianized Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." Stingy Jack and the Devil enter a pub to have a drink. Jack convinces the Devil to turn himself into a coin to pay for the drinks. But instead of using the coin, Jack slipped it into his pocket and next to a silver cross. The cross prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. But Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year. And if Jack should die during that year, the Devil would not claim his soul. And the Devil agreed to these terms.   Jack again tricked the Devil. This time, the Devil climbed into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down. Once again, Jacked struck a bargain with the Devil. He would free the Devil from the tree if he promised not to bother Jack for ten more years. And if Jack died during those years, the Devil would not claim his soul. And the Devil again agreed to these terms.   Not long after this, Jack did indeed died. But because of his trickery, God would not allow him into heaven. In keeping his word not to take his soul, the Devil also would not allow Jack into hell. Instead, the Devil sent Jack out into the darkness of the world between worlds with nothing but a burning piece of coal. Jack placed the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the Earth ever since. The Irish began to refer to Jack's ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply as "Jack O'Lantern."   The Irish and Scottish people began making lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away the wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets were used. Immigrants from these countries brought the tradition to America where they found the pumpkin, a fruit native to America, that made the perfect jack o'lanterns.   Tricks & Treats: Treats also originated from an old custom of leaving cookies and other foods out for those relatives to enjoy as they shared this one night of feasting. The 'trick' portion of "Trick or Treat" was an invention of the Christians. The tricks were supposedly caused by the dead who didn't receive a treat of food left for them when they arrived at your door.    The Contraversary of Samhain and Halloween Sad to say there have been many fundamentalists who are inciting ignorance and bigotry into the celebrations of Halloween. No longer is Halloween a religious festival here in the US. It has become commercialized as an event for kids to have fun, play dress up and be scared by ghouls and ghosts. It has become nothing more than a secular holiday.   Those who have tried to link Halloween to Samhain are also missing the boat. As Halloween, All Hallows Eve are Christian created holidays devised by the early Churches of Europe as a means to convert pagans to Christianity. The celebrations were indeed taken from pagan practices, but their purposes have long since been corrupted and are no longer pagan in nature. Right down to being practiced on October 31st.   Some one asked me if I cared that a nearby town was attempting to change Halloween from October 31st to the last Friday of each October. My response is why should I mind? Halloween is a Christian holiday, do with it what you will.   The modern celebrations of Halloween do not take away or alter the spiritual significance of Samhain for pagan practitioners. Our Sabbat is still intact and still honored with reverence and in the traditional methods practiced by our ancient pagan ancestors. Though we don't make animal sacrifices any longer, there are some who will toss a steak into a bonfire as a symbolic gesture. The main focus of the holiday for pagans is still to honor our loved ones who have passed on and to share in communication with them during this time when the veil between worlds is narrowed.

A Weekend with the Authors Sale

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Moonlight & Roses by Jean Joachim

FREE until NOV. 3RD!

Can a meddling mom find a husband for her daughter? Carolyn Davis is a beautiful young woman and an accomplished artist like her father. She doesn’t think she needs help finding a man. 
Linda Davis, her mother, has a secret, her life is quickly ebbing away. She wants her daughter well taken care of, not alone when she’s no longer here. Using her meager resources, she drags her daughter to charity events to meet a rich man. 
Carolyn is tired of the fancy clothes and the endless stream of parties. Though she dates some of the men she meets at these soirees, she doubts her mother will get her wish. Obviously she can find a man, but will he be the right man?  
This is the prequel to Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights. April's Kiss in the Moonlight and Under the Midnight Moon are the other two books in the series.

AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/Moonlight-Roses-Book-2-ebook/dp/B005HZZKNK/

AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moonlight-Roses-Book-0-ebook/dp/B005HZZKNK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1446236032&sr=8-7&keywords=Roses+and+Moonlight

The Rebel's Correction by Trish Walters

Blurb:

Rebellion is dangerous; you can’t know where it’s going to end or what damage it’s going to do. Astraea is dangerous as well—dangerous to Cal Chesterfield's peace of mind. She's been a rebel for years, delving into things foreign to Cal's more conservative nature, but she appears to want to change. Unfortunately, she’s been wayward so long, it’s possible she can’t learn to simply be herself.

Cal wants to change, too. He's too staid, too conventional, and he's been a failure at making relationships work. It is time for Cal to step out of the square box he's built for himself and try something different, someone different. Astraea is a perfect change of pace. But can Cal really change and loosen up? More importantly, can Astraea calm down and find a way to love herself so she can love another?

Tag Line: Rebellious and seemingly unable to love herself, Astraea must learn from Cal, submitting to his correction.

Excerpt (987 words):

After locking his bike up, Cal entered the coffee shop; the smells of hearty coffee and sweet pastries hit him immediately, and his stomach growled in response. Caffeine Habit made a killer gluten-free coconut pie, and Cal wasn't in the mood to resist it.

His usual barista wasn't at the coffee bar that day. Joe, a friendly sort of fellow, had been replaced for this shift by a young woman. She was beautiful and exotic, wearing Goth makeup of dark red lips and heavily kohled eyes. And what blue eyes they were! Crystal clear, surrounded by heavily mascaraed black eyelashes. Her skin was a nearly translucent, pale cream and looked smooth as silk. She was tall, too. Cal stood six feet, three inches, and he estimated that this woman had to be at least five-ten. She wore the usual Caffeine Habit uniform, dark pants, dark Caffeine Habit t-shirt and a red apron, but the shirt suited her far more than it ever did Joe. Her name tag said "Astraea.

Forcing himself back from his admiration of the young woman, Cal gave her a smile. "Good afternoon, Astraea. I see Joe's not here today."

She smiled back, though it was a professional smile, impersonal.

"Joe's off today. What can I get you?"

"A double dose espresso, and a coconut cream pie."

"Okay. Have a seat and I'll bring it to you."

That was nice of her. Normally a customer waited at the register until the order was up.  But, of course, in the middle of the afternoon, there weren't many other customers there, so she had some time to wait tables if she wanted to keep busy.

It took about five minutes, but Cal waited patiently at the table. He normally chose one with a view out the picture windows onto the street, but today, he wanted to watch what was inside the coffee shop: Astraea. When she turned to get his coffee, he got a good look at the back of her where the apron didn't cover. She had a long, narrow waist and a butt that was tightly outlined in black yoga pants. It was a perfect butt, too. He wished he could lift her by it and take her right up against the wall. That was such an inappropriate thought, he almost blushed. But he was deeply drawn to her in a curious way. Although he'd seen Goth girls before, this one…this particular one, was different.

The coffee, pie, and Astraea arrived, and she gracefully set his order before him. Cal wanted to keep her close, if he could, so he started to make conversation. A little flirting, maybe, but nothing too intense.

"So, how long have you been working here, Astraea?"

"About two days. They're trying me on different shifts before they decide which one will work best." As she spoke, Cal watched those gorgeous, red lips form the words. All he could think of was putting her mouth around his cock.

Up close, he noticed that she had a little piercing on one side, just to the outside of her upper lip. A small diamond stud winked at him as she spoke. Damn, that was sexy.

Her hair looked glossy and soft, black, streaked with cobalt blue. He'd never gone for that kind of style, but on her, the strands of blue in her shoulder-length hair and bangs were a compliment to her features. She obviously took care of her looks.

"How do you like working here?" he asked, trying to keep his mind on the conversation.

She shrugged. "They're nice and the location is good. I can't complain."

They stared at each other for a long moment, and then she smiled. It was a sexy, flirtatious smile. Cal returned it and saw his chance.

"So, do you live around here?"

"Not far. I walk to work. Don't have a car."

Astraea's hands were slender and long-fingered, tipped with dark red, short nails. She wore no wedding ring. Yes!

"I bike over here from the Cross Roads gym a mile or so away. I'm here almost every day around this time."

"Ah. Maybe we'll see each other again."

"That would be great."

She looked around, about to walk away, but no customers were trying to get her attention, and none had entered the shop. Instead of getting back to her duties, she lingered. "What do you do?"

"I'm a CEO, and I own a little nightclub near the mall."

"I club a lot. Which one?"

"Bittersweet on Stevens Creek."

"No shit! It used to be such a dive, but I heard it got cleaned up. I guess you're the 'new management' that was behind it?"

"I suppose so. I've owned it for about nine months."

"Wow, that is so cool." She grinned again and winked at him. "So you can comp me in some Saturday, right?"

Cal laughed. "Sure. You and a few friends, if you like."

"Fuck yeah! Thanks, man. What's your name?"

"Cal Chesterfield. And I know yours from your badge."

"Yeah, I go by Astraea. It's my stage name. I'm a model."

Cal looked around the shop and then raised his eyebrows at her.

"Well, I'm trying to be a model. It's a tough gig."

"I understand completely. So, Astraea the model, what do you do for fun?"

"Clubbing with my homies, mostly. But I like to read as well. I'm not really into TV."

"Me, either. I mean, I'm not into TV. I have one, but it's for news and sports, not 'entertainment'."

"Is there a 'Mrs. Cal Chesterfield'?"

He grinned. "No. And a 'Mr. Astraea'?"

"Hell no." She sank down on her haunches at the side of the table, giving him a peek down the front of her t-shirt. Her breasts were small and round, snuggled in a bright pink lacy bra. "So, Cal, maybe we could get together sometime? A little fuck date?"

Cal had to blink.

Buy links:

Amazon.com

Author bio and contact info:

Trish Walters is a newly minted author with a long track record in the writing business, first as a technical writer, and now as a fiction author. She’s an American ex-pat, living in Canada.

You can contact Trish at trish.walters.writer@gmail.com.

Please visit her Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/author/trishwalters

Brie Learns the Art of Submission by Red Phoenix

BLURB:
#1 Best Seller in Erotica - Brie Learns the Art of Submission (Volume 1 of 3)

Join Brianna Bennett as she is introduced to the erotic world of submission... 

Brie's life changes the day Sir comes to her tiny tobacco shop. His invitation to the Submissive Training Center is about to rock this young woman's world. The renowned school is famous for its elite submissive instruction. She has no idea what will be asked of her or the boundaries that will be pushed. One thing is certain: Brie is about to learn more about herself in six weeks than she has over the previous twenty-two years. 

From formal classes, hands-on practicums and weekly auctions, Brie will confront her deepest fears and desires. In the process, she will also forge lifelong friendships with fellow submissives and fall for several of the Center's skilled Doms. As graduation day approaches things begin to unravel, forcing Brie to make an unexpected choice of Master. Which Dom will ultimately earn her devotion and capture Brie's courageous heart? 

**All 9 novellas of the Submissive Training Center serial in one beautiful book!

Adult Material (18+) 

MY PARTIAL REVIEW:

So far I have read through page 191. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I am learning the ins and outs of submission. A lot is a refresher course for me but most is new to me. Brie is one of my favorite characters. Naturally she would be considering that she is the main character. Ms. Clark I can definitely do without. She gets on my nerves to know end as well as blonde nemesis. However, as I have continued to read blonde nemesis is growing on me. She has good qualities that are finally starting to show.  I am a tad confused on Sir's standpoint because he seems to flip flop. He wants her but is forbidden because he is her trainer. I totally understand that but some parts of the storyline given is crossing the boundaries. I know that its a book and it happens but in real sub life this truly is forbidden. All in all I plan to continue on reading and seeing how Brie develops by the end of the book. Hoping Sir will shed some more light on his true feelings as well. :D

Oktoberfest-Downtown Chattanooga, TN

Today, I ventured downtown to our annual Oktoberfest. Took the hubby so he can drink all the German beers from the venders. I had a pretty good time. Well, except for all the people. It was pretty cold inside the pavilion too. So glad that I grabbed my sweater. Its held every year at the Chattanooga Market. I found lots of local art & handmade jewelry. Really love getting some apples,local honey, kettle corn, homemade bread & chocolate covered apples. In the pictures above were some of the biggest steins I saw. We also bought 2 steins to support a local veteran. He was really sweet. I often forget that life happens without always taken selfies.  

If I Loved You by Jean Joachim

Hollywood Hearts by Jean Joachim 

BLURB:
Does love always mean total truth? Successfully shunning the limelight was one way for Megan Davis to keep her family secret. The press intruded on her life when her twin brother, Mark, became the star quarterback for the Delaware Demons.                  

Disrespectful of tabloid superstars,    financial advisor, Meg, was shocked when she was tapped to launch a       celebrity division in the prestigious   investment firm, Dillon & Weed. The biggest surprise: the charisma of her first client.

Gorgeous, magnetic movie star, Chaz Duncan, wary of women who wanted to bask in his fame or sell his secrets to the media, valued privacy above all else. Would attractive Megan Davis, his new financial advisor charm the truth from him or would he continue his high profile but lonely existence to keep his secret safe? Jealousy, deceit and scandal threaten two careers and the quest for true love and trust in this roller-coaster-ride contemporary romance.

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/If-Loved-You-Hollywood-Hearts-ebook/dp/B014TIOK0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444756639&sr=8-1&keywords=If+I+loved+you+jean+joachim

AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/If-Loved-You-Hollywood-Hearts-ebook/dp/B014TIOK0O/

AMAZON CA: http://www.amazon.ca/If-Loved-You-Hollywood-Hearts-ebook/dp/B014TIOK0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444756723&sr=8-1&keywords=If+I+loved+you+by+Jean+Joachim

AMAZON AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/If-Loved-You-Hollywood-Hearts-ebook/dp/B014TIOK0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444756764&sr=8-1&keywords=If+I+loved+you+by+jean+joachim

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-i-loved-you-jean-c-joachim/1114052834?ean=2940152324532

iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1037687883

KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/if-i-loved-you-4

Paperback -
https://www.createspace.com/5740593

Jean Joachim, Author
Hollywood Hearts series
Now and Forever series
New York Nights series
Moonlight Series, Lost & Found series
Website: www.jeanjoachimbooks.com

Lucas by Susan Fisher Davis

AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/Lucas-Boys-River-Wyoming-Book-ebook/dp/B0153GXQ60/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444840760&sr=8-1&keywords=Lucas+by+Susan+Fisher+Davis

Emily Walters needs help fast. Her ex-husband is being released from prison and Adam swore he’d never let her go. She knows he’ll come for her. Her only choice is one of the bad boys of Dry River, Lucas Taggart. Lucas raised a lot of hell when he was younger and never backed down from anyone. It's what Emily needs in a protector and a husband. She offers him half of her ranch in exchange for protection and marriage. Whispering Pines is one of the largest horse ranches in the States. Would it be enough to entice the brooding man? 

Lucas Taggart isn't interested in marriage but he is interested in Whispering Pines and when he looks into Emily’s eyes, he knows it wouldn't be a hardship being married to her, as long as it's a real marriage. 

When Adam shows up to claim the woman he still thinks of as his wife, will Lucas have to do the unthinkable to protect the woman he's come to love with all his heart? What happens if or when Adam is finally out of the picture? Will Emily still want Lucas around and will she ever return his love? 

Four New Novellas

Four brand-new novellas and one hell of a legend combine for some of the sweetest stories around. Glynnis Campbell, Suzan Tisdale, Hildie McQueen, Emma Prince, and me have come together for what we hope will be one of your favorite collections this holiday season, so make sure to get your copy of HIGHLAND WISHES!

http://amzn.to/1LK3SK3

Ryder Men of Clifton by Susan Fisher Davis

Available October 12th

Blurb:
Ryder Wolfe is a solitary man. Happy, living alone with his horses and the mountains as company until the man, who rescued him from the streets as a lost teen, sends him a beautiful woman in need of protection. He takes her in even as it goes against his very character. Now he’s fighting his desire to have her for his own with all he has. But his job is to protect her, not seduce her.  
Kelsey Sullivan hasn’t had the best luck with men but then one of them decides to stalk her, and make her life miserable. A family friend sends her to Clifton, Montana. To the one man trusted to protect her. But what if the man protecting her is the man she wants more than any other, only he insists on protecting her, even from himself? 
Can Ryder accept her love and trust in the man she believes he is? 

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON US:http://www.amazon.com/Ryder-Men-Clifton-Montana-Book-ebook/dp/B0168YUVSW/ref=pd_sim_351_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0QHJCGSCXJ3TDDH4BFSC&dpID=518c4tn%2BNlL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR107%2C160_

AMAZON UK:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ryder-Men-Clifton-Montana-Book-ebook/dp/B0168YUVSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444523424&sr=8-1&keywords=Ryder+men+of+clifton

Columbus Day

Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. On Oct. 12, 517 years later, banks are closed and there's no mail. And despite being a federal holiday, for most in the U.S. it's another day at the office.

I will be working like it's any other day. Its really sad that we can't stop and just observe the holidays meant to be celebrated. 

A Mansion, A Drag Queen, And A New Job (Deanna Oscar Series) by CC Dragon

Grab this cozy mystery today!

BLURB:
Psychic medium Deanna Oscar wants to be a normal psychology professor at a nice college. The universe has other ideas. When the grandmother she never knew dies and leaves her everything, Deanna enters a different world. In New Orleans anything goes and her psychic powers aren’t a secret. She doesn’t plan on staying but a psychic vision puts her on the trail of a killer. Deanna can’t turn her back on the future victims and becomes immersed in her grandmother’s world. She isn’t sure how to manage the mansion and fortune she inherited or the people who came with it. An ex-priest, a Latina drag queen and a socialite beauty queen are the living entourage. Add in a houseful of ghosts and haunted objects and Deanna needs a little help. In over her head, she struggles to catch a killer who is out to get her as well.

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON US:http://www.amazon.com/Mansion-Queen-Deanna-Paranormal-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00QSNV82C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1444523855&sr=8-4

AMAZON UK:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mansion-Queen-Deanna-Paranormal-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00QSNV82C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1444523718&sr=8-4

Quarterback: Griff Montgomery by Jean Joachim

Pick up this weekend read! Jean Joachim knows ‪#‎footballromance‬

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=919076801507642&set=gm.1632071550401464&type=3

Blurb:
Two people, two tragedies, two deep, devastating secrets…. Griff Montgomery is the headline-making, heart-breaking star quarterback of the Kings – a 6’4”, 33 year old womanizer. Lauren Farraday is a beautiful young interior designer, bitterly scarred by divorce, whose life is falling apart. Though they violently oppose one another in court over her beloved pug (she thinks he’s arrogant and conceited, and he thinks she’s a bitch on wheels), something happens....

These are the bare bones of this sizzling romance, riddled with passion -- the first in a brand new series that’ll tantalize football fans and have readers glued to every page and on the edge of their seats!

Griff looks like a super hero with his tousled, mahogany hair, dazzling smile, dark, sexy eyes, and a body that does something indescribable to a tight pair of jeans. Though Lauren’s sworn off men forever, one look sends shivers down her spine, making her feel lonelier than ever before. Her lustrous, long hair, sparkling green eyes, and nonstop curves make his fingers tingle at the thought of touching her. How do they deal with their cataclysmic attraction? Will they be able to drop their protective facades – his to camouflage his grief over his sister and her family, for whom he was a surrogate father, moving 3000 miles away…. And hers’ to shield her from the incalculable loss of her husband and hoped for child?

For Griff, the thought of falling in love is as foreign as toe shoes and a tutu. For Lauren, it’s like putting on cleats and a helmet and running 50 yards…. Can they, will they, risk it? 

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/Griff-Montgomery-Quarterback-First-Book-ebook/dp/B014RQ9RXI/

AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griff-Montgomery-Quarterback-First-Book-ebook/dp/B014RQ9RXI/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/griff-montgomery-quarterback-jean-joachim/1121169106?ean=2940152284850

iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1037359895

KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/griff-montgomery-quarterback-1

Make Mine a Cowboy by Sandy Sullivan

If you love #Cowboys then Sandy Sullivan is a #MustRead!

Blurb:
Mesa Arraguso writes about hot cowboys for a living. Being a romance writer has it perks and its drawbacks. She spends a lot of time alone in front of her computer, but she gets to fantasize about incredibly hot men wearing cowboy boots and Stetsons. While visiting San Antonio, Texas for a writer’s conference, she finds herself stranded on the back roads of Bandera only to be rescued by one of the most gorgeous men she’s ever encountered, be it fantasy or for real. 

Joel Young is a cowboy. From the top of his Stetson to the tip of his dirty cowboy boots, he’s cowboy through and through. Along with rescuing women when they do silly things like running out of gas miles from town on a dirt road, he spends his days herding cattle, fixing fences and breaking horses. 

Can one handsome cowboy and a city-girl from LA find common ground is the Hill Country long enough to see beyond a quick fling?

AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/Make-Mine-Cowboy-Dreamin-Book-ebook/dp/B0150PKZIG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444331281&sr=8-1&keywords=Make+Mine+a+Cowboy

AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Mine-Cowboy-Dreamin-Book-ebook/dp/B0150PKZIG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444331313&sr=8-1&keywords=Make+mine+a+cowboy

AMAZON AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Make-Mine-Cowboy-Dreamin-Book-ebook/dp/B0150PKZIG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444331338&sr=8-1&keywords=make+mine+a+cowboy

KOBO SALE

Explosive Combination & Christmas in Cancun are PART of the KOBO SALE BUY 2 GET 1 FREE DEAL!
ONE CLICK TODAY, SALE ENDS OCT. 11TH
It is one hell of a read, with murder, intrigue, threats, intimidation tactics, love, hate, fear, and joy all found within this book."
BUY LINKS:
KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-…/ebook/explosive-combination
KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/christmas-in-cancun

Also check out the Facebook Party: https://www.facebook.com/events/1938946979664769/

Romancing the Smokies

Hummingbird Place, ten fabulous romance authors welcome guests to an elegant luncheon. There will be a booksigning following lunch and wonderful giveaways, free books and much swag. More announcements come later as we add authors and events.  

To sign up you can go to: 
Romancingthesmokies.com

FEATURED AUTHORS: 

Tonya Kappes, Keynote Speaker, USA Today best-selling author.

Leanne Tyler, Author of Romantic Comedies, Historical 

Romance and Paranormal Romance

Sandy Sullivan, Author of Western Romances

Shannon West, Erotic Author

Trista Ann Michaels, Erotic Author

Nancy Naigle, USA Today Best-selling Author

Hallee Bridgeman, Inspirational Author

Suzan Tisdale, Historical Author

Destiny Blake, YA Author

JK Ensley, Author of Fantasy and Romance


FACEBOOK LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/415525645300024/

KaLyn Cooper Book Sale

Explosive Combination & Christmas in Cancun are PART of the KOBO SALE BUY 2 GET 1 FREE DEAL!

ONE CLICK TODAY, SALE ENDS OCT. 11TH

It is one hell of a read, with murder, intrigue, threats, intimidation tactics, love, hate, fear, and joy all found within this book."

BUY LINKS:

KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/explosive-combination

KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/christmas-in-cancun

A Weekend with the Authors

Readers are you ready for the conference of 2016? Then Nashville, Tennessee is where it's all at. Sandy Sullivan is putting on her 2nd conference. A Weekend with the Authors has a awesome line up. Join the Facebook page to stay up to date on everything that is planned. LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/902291893145983/

Find Tickets at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weekend-with-the-authors-formerly-known-as-a-day-with-the-authors-tickets-16789480789

Payment plans for readers tickets with meals is available at www.aweekendwiththeauthors.com

Tickets are limited! Get yours today!

Hotel Booking -
http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=A+Weekend+with+the+Authors%5Ebnatn%60wwtwwta%60149.00%60USD%60false%605%2F12%2F16%605%2F16%2F16%604%2F15%2F16&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes

Tickets are non-refundable for any reason other than cancellation of the event.

Spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 13-15, 2016 with your favorite multi-genre authors in Nashville, TN at the beautiful Marriott Airport Nashville.

3 days of fun, stories, characters, and mystery as we play, schmooze and have a great time with your favorite authors.

Events include:

A Night of Mystery Dinner Party
Password Games for Amazon Gift Cards
Author Panels
Wine and Cheese Get Together 
Country Music Concert by Jackson Young
Sponsored Boardrooms with fun, games, and prizes
Cowboy Lovin' Party
Paranormal Costume Party

Tentative Schedule of Events -

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016
7-8 – Breakfast
8 - 1030 – Speed Dating
1030 – Noon - Password
Noon – 130p = Lunch
145p – 545p – Author/Reader Panels
600p – 8p – A Night of Mystery Dinner Party (Included)
830p – 10p – Cowboy Lovin’ Western Themed Party (Coffee/Desserts included)
10p - ? – Karaoke Party

Saturday, May 14, 2016
7-8 Breakfast
8a – 10a – Password for Amazon Gift Cards
10a – Noon Author/Reader Panels
Noon – 130p – Plated Lunch with Authors (Included)
145p – 245p – Jackson Young Concert
3p – 5p - Book signing
5p – 7p – Dinner
7P – 9p – Wine and Cheese Get Together 
9p – Midnight – Paranormal Party

Sunday, May 15, 2016
10 – Noon – Brunch (Included)
Raffle Baskets to benefit Wounded Warriors and Operation Troop Aid


More fun to come!

ATTENDING AUTHORS:
Sabrina York-Keynote Speaker
Sandy Lea Sullivan
JC Wardon
Sharon Hamilton
Lily Graison
Candace Blevins
Pamela Kelley/Ashley Merrick
Debra Parmley
KD Wood
Deanndra Hall 
Bianca Sommerland
Betty Bolte
Vickie VA Dold
Randi Alexander
Hildie McQueen
K.J. Coakley
Michel Prince
Maddie James
Tamara Hoffa
Donna Michaels
Lexi Post
Teresa Reasor
Jean Joachim
Author Miranda Lynn
Kate McKeever/Eve Simon
Shawnte Boris
Author Susan Fisher Davis
Shannon O'Connor
Kathleen Tighe Ball
Darcy Flynn 
Michele Shriver
Cherie Denis
Denise Gwen/ Gwen Williams 
Lynda J. Cox 
Kris Nacole
Kerry Adrienne
Lia Davis
Lauralynn Elliott  
Nikki Belaire
Jamie Salisbury
Tricia Andersen
Lori King
KaLyn Cooper
Anna Kristell
Anya Kelly 
ER Roberts 
Cynthia D'Alba
Elle James
J.m. Madden
Anne Welch
Paige Tyler
Cassidy K. O'Connor, Author
Beverly Ovalle 
Cora Seton
Natasza Waters
Reana Malori 
Leanne Tyler Lexi Witcher
Linda Rae Sande  
Landra Graf 
Julia Sykes
Rachel Rivers
Linda Oakes
Gracie Wilson
Kandi Silvers
Samantha Kane
Katherine Smits
K.T. Roberts
Kayce Lassiter
Marie Patrick
Morgan K Wyatt
Ev Bishop
Pam Ackerson
Cara Addison
Barbara Lohr
Sandy Loyd