Jack-O'-Lanterns #history #Halloween

Jack-O'-Lanterns.

We have all seen them. Some of us have even had a go at carving them. But do you know where the idea of carving scary faces into pumpkins came from?

The practice is believed to have originated in parts of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands. But instead of pumpkins, they used turnips or mangel wurzels.

Back then the festival was known as Samhain. It was believed that during Samhain supernatural being and the dead once more roamed the earth.

What was the purpose of the lanterns?

Well, there were two very fascinating reasons...

Firstly, they were used to frighten people ~ they did, after all, represent, thanks to their carvings, evil spirit. Much like Halloween masks do today.

Secondly, they were used to ward off evil spirits. If you place the Jack-O'-Lantern in your windowsill, it is said it will keep evil spirits away from your house.

So will you be carving a pumpkin today and if so, will you be doing it to frighten people or to keep the evil spirits away...?

Blog Tour ~ Becoming Mrs. Smith #HistFic #WWII @hfvbt

Book Tour~ Historical Virtual Book Tour Presents....

Becoming Mrs. Smith

By Tanya E. Williams

Not all of war’s destruction takes place on the battlefield.

Violet’s heart flutters from the scarlet fever she survived as a child, and it beats faster at the sight of John Smith, the man she plans to marry. America is entrenched in WWII, and when John enlists, Violet is certain she won’t ever forgive him for dashing their dreams. As the realities of war slowly overtake her life, Violet’s days are filled with uncertainty and grief. She struggles to maintain her faith in John, as the world as she knows it, crumbles.

Becoming Mrs. Smith is the inspiring, and at times, heartbreaking story of a woman’s struggle to reclaim what she lost. War stole the man she loves, and childhood illness weakened her heart—perhaps beyond repair. While guns rage in Europe, the war Violet faces at home may be even more devastating.

“Wonderfully emotional and beautifully written, Becoming Mrs. Smith will take hold of your heartstrings and leave you longing for more.”

Kelsey Gietl, author of Across Oceans

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away an eBook of Becoming Mrs. Smith! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

• Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on November 17th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

• Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

• Only one entry per household.

• All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.

• Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Enter the Giveaway Here

Links for Purchase

Available on Amazon in Paperback and eBook

About the author

A writer from a young age, Tanya E Williams loves to help a reader get lost in another time, another place through the magic of books. History continues to inspire her stories and her insightfulness into the human condition deepens her character’s experiences and propels them on their journey. Ms. Williams’ favourite tales, speak to the reader’s heart, making them smile, laugh, cry, and think.

For more information, please visit Tanya Williams’ website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest

Becoming Mrs. Smith  by Tanya E. Williams

Publication Date: October 10, 2017

Rippling Effects Writing & Photography

eBook, Paperback & Audio; 100 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Novella

#FolkloreThursday ~ The Hurlers #Cornwall #Myths #Legends

I have always been interested in standing stones. I have visited Stonehenge and Avebury Stone Circle, countless times. But while writing The Du Lac Princess, I was drawn to Cornwall and a very special ancient monument that has inspired several myths. Let me introduce you to…

The Hurlers

 

Are you ready for a story? I thought so!

It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for playing a game of hurling on Bodmin Moor. The men set out with their sticks and their ball ready to enjoy a friendly game. They were laughing and joking, placing bets on which side would win. They got themselves ready, and were about to start when something terrible happened…

You see these men had forgotten that it was Sunday, It was the Lord’s Day. This was the day of rest. But alas, it was too late. The hurlers were turned to stone. A just punishment? Or a story to frightened the locals into observing the Sabbath?

But the hurlers were not the only ones to be turned into stone.

Now, it is said that the best place to practice playing your pipes is out in the open. Two such pipers decided to take a stroll on Bodmin Moor and feeling so inspired by the beauty that surrounded them, they decided to play a tune on their pipes. But like the hurlers, they had forgotten what day it was, and before they knew it, they too had been turned to stone.

The stones are in fact a fine example of a late Neolithic / early Bronze age Stone Circle, but what makes the Hurlers really interesting is that this stone circle is not one circle, it is three, and that makes the Hurlers unique.

I was very excited to visit the Hurlers, and they didn’t disappoint, and they even made it into The Du Lac Princess ~ how could I leave something so special out?

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