Romance Me Wednesdays - Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas (Wallflowers Series #1/5)

Romance Me Wednesdays
Leave the guesswork to me!  I read all the historical romance novels I can get my hands on, then recommend my favorites via blogpost review!

Years Ago ...

I read my first romance novel.  I remember it as if it was yesterday ... although in that moment when I bent back the paperback cover and put my eyes to page 1, I had no idea how profoundly it would shape my future and the woman I was to become.

The book was The Runaway Bride by Patricia McLinn (LINK), and I was sixteen.  The only reason I picked it up from the Free Book section of my library was because I had recently watched the movie of the same name, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.  This particular book and that particular movie were not at all connected ... but the shared title was the catalyst for a life-long love with romance novels.  

And as I pursue a career in writing my own romance stories, I am so grateful for that moment of chance years ago ...

Throughout the last decade, I have read hundreds, if not thousands, of romance novels.  And I have come to identify my favorite genres.  Number 1 at the top of the list is historical romance, mostly set in England, and mostly taking place during the 19th century.

And so, I have decided that since this genre and its stories fit in perfectly with the goal of this blog, I shall make a regular series in which I recommend my very favorite novels and review the stories for your knowledge. 

Today's book is Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas.  This is the first of the author's 5-book "Wallflowers" series, an incredible grouping of heroes and heroines! 

(LINK)

• Please Excuse me While I Swoon ...

Lisa Kleypas keeps my addiction to rugged, powerful, and hunky men well- and very happily-fueled.  You know who I am talking about ... the ones built like a modern day weight lifter, no matter the fact that men of their station and time period leaned more towards the skinny, pale, and weaker side.  A truthful portrayal is just not to my taste ... so thank-you-very-much-indeed, Ms. Kleypas!

Simon Hunt is the hero of this story, the Romeo to Annabelle Peyton's Juliet.  Lisa Kleypas attributes some of his build to his being the son of a butcher, but even in his adult life he maintains an impressive physique.  Like all good romance heroes, he is exceedingly good looking, but that is not all to commend ...

Body of a Greek god aside, Simon is (against his best efforts) actually a very romantic man.  It is endearing to see his caring and possessive nature develop.  And let me tell you, ladies ... keep a look out for the following scenes for some serious swoon-worthiness: when Annabelle falls ill, the engagement scene, the final scenes leading to the finish.

• Who Needs History Class When We Have Lisa Kleypas?

In this novel, like the larger series to which it belongs, the author shines in her effortless ability to teach us interesting tidbits about Victorian England without making us feel like we will be tested later on the material in our college history class.  I have read other historical romance novels, and some tend to lean either to the side where I seriously doubt the time period as accurate, or to the other, where historical notes are force-fed down my throat.  Ms. Kleypas admirably reaches a middle ground.

I especially appreciate the introduction to the girls, which also gives valuable insight into the qualities most revered by young, marriageable misses of the Victorian era.  Annabelle might be the most beautiful girl in London, but her lack of dowry and "advanced age" keep her from attracting the men she so hopes to ensnare.  Likewise, her friends exhibit both desirable beauty but damning other qualities, and it is fun to read how each of their stories play out ...

Another part of the novel which taught me a great deal about historical London is located towards the end of the book, where Simon and his friend Lord Westcliff apply themselves to the development of the locomotive industry in England.

• Down on His -- No, Their -- Luck

Many romance novels feature a hero with unimaginable wealth who has successfully navigated through life's hardships to end up where he is now after growing up poor.  Many romance novels describe a smart, likable heroine whose family struggles financially.  Not man romance novels (at least that I have read) combine the two.

Simon and Annabelle are so very different, yet this characteristic is one that is shared.  I think it very refreshing that the heroine is stunted by her sad lack of family finances, and her development regarding money which progresses as the story unfolds makes her all the more likable.

I am very thankful that Simon was is wealthier than all get-out, as I like my men's pockets as I like their bodies ... bulging.  Sorry, it's true ;)

• Friends Are the Family You Choose For Yourself

Secrets of a Summer Night introduces the reader to Annabelle, Lillian, Evie, and Daisy.  Each young lady is forced to face difficulties, as their largest obstacles are brought about by the realities of their family lives.  Therefore, it is easy to see why they bond so quickly, though to others around them such a quartet is quite unexpected.  

As a woman who has been blessed by wonderful friendships myself, I hold these stories dear, and I appreciate the author for putting into words and on paper the bonds between girlfriends that are so very difficult to describe.

I can promise you that if you love Annabelle's story, you will be so happy to read how the other romances pan out.  And if you have never read any novels by Lisa Kleypas, this series is a great one to try.  There are some steamy moments, mind you, but if that doesn't bother you, please try these novels on for size!

**********

Look forward for more "Romance Me Wednesdays" featuring the remaining 4 books to this series, and many more!

Until next time,

Rebecca

Happy Birthstone to You, January! **GARNET**

H A P P Y  B I R T H S T O N E  T O  Y O U !

J A N U A R Y ~ G A R N E T

Source: bluenile.com (LINK)

Years Ago ...

Learned men and women believed in the power of gemstones to ward off evil and protect or heal the wearer during difficult trials in life.  

In more modern times, specific stones have been designated to each month of the year, giving those who are born under that month a common gemstone with which to identify, a birthstone.

In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers finalized a guide for which stones belonged to which months.  This list can be seen in the graphic above, and has only gone through a few changes in the 100 years since.

January, the first month of the year, has been assigned GARNET for its birthstone.

Background ~

The word "garnet" comes from the word "granatum," coming from Latin for seed.  This is in reference to the stone's resemblance to a pomegranate seed!

Garnets can be found in streams where water has worn away rock, leaving the gems are exposed.  But before they are polished, garnets look like small pebbles.  Being either colorless or one of many shades of red, black, and green (the rarest), I can certainly see why the red stones were named after the seeds of a pomegranate.

(On a side note, if you are as much a fan of pomegranates as I am, check out my blog post on the fruit here: LINK)

The use of garnet in jewelry dates back to 3100 B.C. when the stones were used in Egypt.  Today the stones also serve industrial purposes, as abrasives as well as for water filtration.

Symbolism/Historical Importance ~

Garnet is widely accepted to represent loyalty and eternal friendship.  

Long ago, people believed that garnets offered protection from many fearful occurrences, such as poisons, wounds to one's bodies, and even scary dreams or dangers during travel.

My Two Cents ~

I happen to love garnet!  I have always admired rubies, as deep red is one of my favorite fashion colors, and I believe garnets are just as beautiful.  Plus, who doesn't love its quiet humility? ;)

Perhaps one of my dearest reasons for appreciating this specific stone is because it is mentioned in the engagement scene of one of my favorite romance novels, A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas:

LINK

"     

     'Hannah,' he whispered, spreading feverish kisses across her skin, "I've never wanted anyone this much before.  You're so beautiful in every way ... and everything I find out about you makes me love you more ...'  He lifted his head and gave it a rough shake as if to recall himself to where he was.  A self-mocking grin came to his lips.  'My God.  We'd better make this a short betrothal.  Here, give me your hand - no, the other.'  He searched one of the coat pockets and unearthed a shining circlet.  It was a garnet set in silver.  'This is why I went to the village today,' he said, slipping the ring onto her fourth finger.  'I'll buy you a diamond in London, but we had to start out with something.'

     'It's perfect,' Hannah said, looking down at it with shining eyes.  'A garnet means enduring love.  Did you know that?'

     He shook his head, staring at her as if she were a miracle ...

                                                                                                          "

If you are a fan of historical romance and you have not tried out Lisa Kleypas's books (A Wallflower Christmas is the fifth out of five books in her Wallflower series), I highly recommend them!  Expect to see them reviewed in detail in upcoming "Romance Me Wednesdays" on this blog!

And finally, I give you a list of some of my favorite people who just happen to be born in January:

• Paul Revere, Jan 1st, 1735
• Elvis Presley, Jan 8th, 1935
• Martin Luther King, Jr., Jan 15, 1929
• Edgar Allan Poe, Jan 19, 1809
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jan 30, 1882

Do keep tuned to this blog for more posts to come and let me know what you think about this or your own birthstone in the comments below or via email at fourscorerebecca@gmail.com!

Until next time,

Rebecca

References: www.americangemsociety.org (LINK), National Geographic Kids Magazine (LINK), gemselect.com (LINK), almanac.com (LINK)

Merry Christmas Mondays - Holiday Gift Ideas

M E R R Y  C H R I S T M A S  M O N D A Y S 

Years Ago ...

A very special baby in a very plain manger was visited by three reverent wise men.  In deference to the child's significance, the men bestowed upon him the well-known gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Each of these items were important in their own ways and made up, in essence, the very first Christmas presents.

Today, people all over mirror this long ago event by giving gifts to their loved ones to mark the holiday season.  To celebrate the first Christmas of this blog, I have compiled a list of gifts that my readers and other like-minded people would love to receive.

We lovers of history and all things vintage may or may not be interested in the newest headphones, the most expensive handbag, or the latest video game, but that does not mean that we are hard to shop for!  Rather, our interest is peaked by things a little more different than ordinary.

Before we begin, please note that the items contained in the title picture were all purchased at my local Marshalls store (link).  You could expect to find similar things at TJ Maxx (link) or Home Goods (link).  I love these stores to hunt for things I have never found before any where else!

The items which are linked to different websites (etsy, amazon, World Market, etc.) are from vendors that I have found online.  I have not ordered from any of these vendors and I do not own these items.  Therefore please note that I cannot guarantee any quality or service on the vendors' part.  It is also important to note that ship dates will vary, so be sure to confirm with the vendor if your purchases will arrive by Christmas!  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at fourscorerebecca@gmail.com!

• Candles ... but make sure there is something unique about them!  

I love this one because not only are silhouettes a very popular art form from years ago, but the little girl on the ladder is adorable!  The candle smells wonderful and once burned, the recipient gets to keep the pretty vessel!  

Bonus if you can get hand poured/hand crafted ones:

LINK

• Picture frames ... another great gift idea which is available in a huge range of styles and price ranges.  For those lovers of history who are lucky enough to travel to our favorite places, we can never have enough frames in which to display our memories!  

This frame reminds me of Italy, with its decoration that looks like weathered stone:

Do you know someone who can't go a day without her tea?  She might love a handmade frame made from feminine china:

LINK

Bonus points if you get frames like these, which are upcycled from old barn wood.  Rustic looking with an incredible history to match:

LINK

LINK

• For the person who loves to spend time in the kitchen, I have two choices of cutting boards ... It may sound like a strange idea, but most young people I know tend to skimp on this cooking implement, important as it is.  A good quality cutting board can last for years and years (if it is taken care of).  

Especially during the holiday season, handcrafted cutting boards can be found from many local artisans.  Surprise someone you know with one this year!

First up, the decorative one (I would probably hang this in my kitchen, however it could also be used):

Here's another lovely piece, which can be personalized for the recipient:

LINK

Finally, the useful one.  Made of bamboo, a sustainable resource, it is extremely functional:

Moving from the kitchen to the dining room, who wouldn't love the following items for their tea?  

• An intricately/delicately/uniquely decorated tea pot.  I wish you could see it better but this one looks like beautiful lace has been printed on the pot:

Bonus points (of course!) for a lovely hand crafted one:

LINK

• Mugs/tea cups are always on my Christmas list, since I purposely bought a dish set without them, just so I could make my own collection.  Some of my favorite ones are the following ...

For the lover of literature, the Great First Lines of Literature mug:

LINK

For the lover of American presidential history, the Presidential Slogans mug:

LINK

For the romance/Shakespeare lover, the Shakespearean Love mug:

LINK

• And finally, I end with an oldie but goodie ... soaps.  Soap making, like candle making, is a lost art.  For the best such gifts look for hand crafted items which smell lovely, are filled with moisturizing ingredients, and have something extra packaging-wise.  Bonus points for Made in America! 

It is my sincere hope that this blog post helps you as you continue (or start!) your Christmas shopping season.  Like our ancestors would have done, I recommend that you shop as small as you can to encourage the small business all around.  As well, don't be afraid to try out some new craft(s) to show your loved one how much you care!

For any questions, comments, or suggestions please feel free to contact me either in the comments below or by email at fourscorerebecca@gmail.com.

Wishing you a very happy Christmas Season!

Until next time,

Rebecca

Cinema Sundays - To Catch a Thief

C I N E M A  S U N D A Y S - Celebrating my favorite films in the history of motion pictures.

Years Ago ...

I saw my first Grace Kelly film, Dial M for Murder.  It was also my first Alfred Hitchcock directed film ... and I absolutely loved it.  Dial M for Murder remains to this day one of my favorite movies, and I look forward to reviewing it on this blog in the future.  

But for the inaugural Cinema Sundays post, I wanted to present a film a bit more ... fantastic.  Lucky for us all, there happens to be another Grace Kelly/Alfred Hitchcock partnership which just screams grandeur, and it is called To Catch a Thief (link).

To Catch a Thief tells the story of a former cat burglar, played by Cary Grant, who lives out his retirement in the sunny, beautiful south of France.  Released in 1955, the film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and also stars Grace Kelly as Francie Stevens, a well-bred but exciting American on vacation with her mother.

• Parlez-Vous Francais?

Here's a secret, my dear readers.  I love France.  I love its culture, its history, and its language.  I also have a Master's degree in French, and will search high and low for the best French or Francophone films.  

Having studied the language at such depth and for so long, it makes me cringe when I hear poor pronunciation by "French" characters of other films, who are actually not native speakers of the language.  

This movie is unlike most that I have seen; an American made film which employed a large number of French actors and actresses for supporting parts.  I imagine that the timing of the film, the 1950's - back when wealthy people were more enamored with French and the language was more prevalent in the United States - helped a lot with this.  As well, the passing of time has probably changed things so that we do not get as authentic an experience as Hitchcock gave is in To Catch a Thief.  In any case, any speaker or general lover of French should thoroughly enjoy all the of the French in the movie, much of which is not subtitled or translated in English - another thing which greatly surprised me!

You Can Say That Again!

Not only does the film offer the French speaker dialogue to enjoy, but the there are gems of speech which are astoundingly excellent and thoroughly enjoyable!  Bravo indeed to the screenwriter, John Michael Hayes!

Grace Kelly as Francie gives us the following gems:

"Are you sure you were talking about water skis?  From where I sat it looked as though you were conjugating irregular verbs."

"Give me a woman who knows her own mind" (Robie)

--> "No one gives you a woman like that.  You have to capture her."

"Palaces are for royalty.  We're just common people with a bank account."

But my favorites come from her mother, Jessie Stevens, played by Jessie Royce Landis:

"My nerves could stand a drink" (Francie)
--> "Your nerves and your mother!"

"You ought to be spanked with a hairbrush and set back to school.  Public school - where they could pound some sense into you during recess."

These are just quotes from two of the several smart characters in To Catch a Thief.  When next you watch the movie, keep a pen and paper handy!

Technicolor

This favorite aspect of the film may be silly on my part, however as this is my blog I would be remiss to forget it.  Have you ever noticed how wonderfully toasted (color-wise, that is) Cary Grant looks in this filmed?  I am convinced that a month or so (at least) before the filming of this movie, Grant was sent off to the French riviera, Greece, or Miami ... somewhere sunny and warm ... with the direction to get as suntanned as was physically possible!

It almost makes me uncomfortable to see him so dark, but that is because I ascribe to the belief that one should never tan more than a teeny bit, due to the fear I have of skin cancer, but also because many of my favorite actresses come from a time where sun tans were not as popular as they are today.  Interesting to note, Grace Kelly does appear slightly sun-kissed in this film, and it is very beautiful on her (of course).  See this picture of the two of them:

Why do I so enjoy Cary Grant's tan?  Because it is so wonderfully authentic!  As a retired, wealthy man living in the south of France, of course he would enjoy the out doors ... and of course he would be so darkened by the sun!  

Don't believe me?  Just look at these photos of Princess Stephanie of Monaco (Grace Kelly's daughter).  Rich, famous, princess of a Mediterranean country, sun-worshiper (indeed):

• And the Oscar Goes to ...

A film is a mixture of many different parts, and one of those important parts is, of course, the actor.  Like another of my favorite Hitchcock movies, Dial M for Murder, I absolutely adore the acting and the actors/actresses To Catch a Thief!  Cary Grant and Grace Kelly will always remembered by history for their acting abilities, both having been awarded Academy Awards (Grant - an honorary award in 1970, Kelly for The Country Girl).  They perform the complex characters of Robie and Francie with expertise, leaving the viewer unsure of their true nature until the very end.

To support to these two screen gods, we have Francie's mother, played by Jessie Royce Landis, and insurance employee Mr. Hughson, played by John Williams.  These two are a hoot and perform their roles wonderfully!  And they both act in different Hitchcock films, again with their starring man and lady! 

• Time to Go Shopping

One more thing before I go ... if for nothing else, this film deserves to be viewed and belongs in your collection for the fashion alone.  Edith Head, winner of eight Academy Awards for Best Costume design, as well as the creator of Grace Kelly's icon of a wedding gown, was the fashion designer of this film.  And through her work in To Catch a Thief, she lays out every wardrobe piece we would need for a luxurious Mediterranean vacation (oh, if only!) ...

For a day at the beach ...

For a formal dinner ...

For an afternoon at the pool ...

For a drive around the south of France ...

For a second formal dinner ...

For a masquerade ball ...

The best of fashion plus the one and only Grace Kelly ... it's something that can never be beat.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this film, as well as any requests for future Cinema Sundays.  Feel free to leave a comment below or email me at fourscorerebecca@gmail.com.

More pictures from this film can be found on my Cinema Sundays pinterest page, found here: link.  Enjoy!

Until next time,

Rebecca