Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Christmas in July 99 Cent Sale and $100 Giveaway

Chillout this July with a 
5 star Medieval Romance  
"Promise Me Christmas"

Finalist Colorado Authors' League 
best novella 2024


(Scroll down)

   The nights are growing longer and the winter snows are coming—Darkenwald Castle is under siege.  

Lord Guy Blackthorne is prepared to lay down his life for his children, his wife, and all who seek his protection. But as renegades, mercenaries, and political intrigue surround his ancient family stronghold, he’s forced to stay his hand against those who would dare to attack his fortress.  

   As supplies and hope dwindle, Lady Vespa fears Yule will not be one of good cheer, and the children shall have no gifts this year. At least she and Guy have one another, for that she is thankful. But there are few private moments to share their love, and every endeavor to satisfy their passion is interrupted when the enemy attempts to invade the castle. 

5 Stars/Mistress of Book Reviews Promise Me Christmas is a heartwarming story of love and honor and keeping one’s promise, all wrapped in a medieval adventure sprinkled with humor and sweet romantic moments.

5+ Stars N.N. Light/I love medieval romance and this medieval holiday romance spoke to my heart. Brilliant from start to finish, Promise Me Christmas took my breath away. The descriptive narration is poignant and draws the reader into the story. The setting is historically accurate. The world-building is immersive. The characters, though, are what make Promise Me Christmas a book worth reading this holiday season. Even with the threat of war, their love is unwavering. I can honestly confess it’s a gem and a reread. 

5 Stars Between /The Pages
This medieval historical romance was a captivating read. I enjoyed the twist of having the main characters married. Their lives were already intertwined, but during war-filled times, they had to always be prepared to defend their home and livelihood, which created a distance they longed to fill. The plot and characters were well-developed, giving the story a smooth reading flow. The author has a great descriptive voice that places you in the scenes. Guy listening and taking Vespa’s ideas into consideration on how to help defeat the enemy shows his love, devotion, and respect for his wife, which strengthens their relationship, and makes this story a perfect holiday read. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book. 
  





#99centsaleromance 
#medievalromance99cents
 #castleunderseigeromance 
#100dollargiveaway




Saturday, June 8, 2024

What's in your Pocket?

 There are hot pockets, pill pockets, even Lacrosse pockets, but what about the ones in your clothing? 
                   

I'm so glad pockets are finally more routinely included in women's clothing. Still always use more of them, and the idea started long ago with the pouch-pocket theory. 
 

    Ancient people used leather or cloth pouches to hold valuables, the forerunner of the pocket. Even Ötzi (also called the "Iceman"), who lived around 3,300 BCE, had a belt with a pouch sewn to it that contained a cache of useful items: a scraper, drill, flint flake, bone awl, and a dried tinder fungus.
     According to historian Rebecca Unsworth, it was in the late 15th century that pockets became more noticeable. The pockets began by being hung like purses from a belt accessible through a slit in the outer garment. Being concealed beneath a coat or jerkin, help to discourage pickpocketing. 

The word pocket appears in Middle English, and is taken from a Norman diminutive of Old French poke, pouque, or pouch. The form "poke" is now only used in dialect, or in such proverbial sayings as "a pig in a poke".

   Historically, the term "pocket" referred to a pouch worn around the waist by women, as mentioned in the rhyme Lucy Locket. In these pockets, women would carry items needed in their daily lives, such as scissors, pins and needles, and keys.


Lucy Locket lost her pocket.

Kitty Fisher found it;

Not a penny was there in it,

Only ribbon round it.

  The rhyme was first noted by James Orchard Halliwell in 1842 (Some accountings hint at Lucy and Kitty being rival courtesans of the time of Charles II", making it a much older and more interesting nursery rhyme)  

   In the 17th century, pockets began to be sewn into men's clothing, but not women's. In more modern clothing, women still sometimes have a Potemkin pocket, which is a fake slit sewn shut.

    A watch pocket or fob pocket is a small pocket designed to hold a pocket watch, in men's trousers and waistcoats and found in traditional blue jeans.

                                Thank you Reader's Digest 

   A besom pocket or slit pocket is cut into a garment instead of being sewn on. often with reinforced stitching. Besom pockets are found on a tuxedo jacket or trousers and may be accented with a flap or button closure.




  Camp pockets or cargo pockets are sewn to the outside of the garment. They are usually squared off and are characterized by seaming.


During Prohibition hip pockets became a handy place for hiding flasks and this practice contributed to the curved shape of the vessel to fit snuggly against the body and be less obvious. Supposedly, people who wore hip flasks became known as hipsters and thus the term was born. 



Like people, pockets come in all shapes and sizes. Hopefully there is one just right for you!


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Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Western Romance Roundup and Giveaway!

 Join the fun, meet new authors and old friends at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven Western Fiction/Romance Bookish Event. While you're there enter the giveaway to win a $20 Amazon gift card:

                         Break Heart Canyon
A man for hire and a widowed goat rancher. Will the total eclipse unite more than the sun and moon? And why does the old prospector keep tabs on the town and show up just when needed?
                        Break Heart Canyon
winner of Colorado Authors' League Excellence in Writing Award for Best Historical of the Year.



Blurb:
   Unearthing artifacts in Colorado sounded like easy money to Ryker Landry. Then he met the woman who owned the land.
   Una MacLaren vows no fortune hunter will desecrate the ancient relics of Break Heart Canyon—even if the man is a handsome scoundrel. Fighting to keep her goat farm afloat as local cattlemen hatch deadly schemes to make sure she fails, she has enough to worry about.
   Captivated by the courageous redhead, Ryker joins forces with Una and her Deerhound, MacTavish. But what does he desire most, the woman or the artifacts?
   When the mythical white cougar again prowls the rocky cliffs, the legend of Break Heart Canyon draws them into a web of danger. Now only daring and blind trust can save them.

 

https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/western-fiction-romance-event #western #westernromance #giveaway









Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Tartan Festival and Farmers Market

          This weekend, Longmont Boulder County Fair Grounds 
                                   was a hive of activity. 

                        The weather was perfect with lots of fun booths

Clothes, long dresses, oh my, but I resisted!
Beautiful horn drinking cups
      
And great live music!

            The folks from the Scottie Dog Rescue were there.
                        This little guy had his own kilt.

   



Wearing authentic chainmail, 
 Brave knights were on hand defending the land. 

Mary, Queen of Scotts graced us with a visit
 with her ladies in waiting.
The costumes were gorgeous and the ladies were 
elegant and welcoming. 
They make appearances all over Colorado. 
You can read more about this group at 
Mary Queen of Scots of the Highland Rockies

   A dazzling array of fresh produce. I couldn't believe the     mushrooms available from Hazel Dell's farm

                               
              I bought King Oyster and Cinnamon Cap mushrooms 
                                   and they were delicious

     

A fun day and sad to say Good Bye....

  

#HazelDell #maryqueenofscotsofthehighlandrockies #tartandays



Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Great Eclipse of 1878

                          


 In 1878, news of this upcoming cosmic occurrence took the county by storm. And Colorado was right in the middle of the excitement. 

Visit the fun website Cowboy Kisses for the full story.

Cowboy Kisses blog

 The next total eclipse to pass over the United States is April 8, 2024. Check to see totality for your area 

 map here of eclipse path.

    If you live in Colorado, a total solar eclipse like the one in 1878, won't come along until Aug. 12, 2045!!! 

 Will the eclipse bring together more than the sun and the moon!
                     
        In my story Break Heart Canyon, my hero and heroine, Ryker and Una watch the eclipse all comfy and cozy in a hay cart. 

                             


Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Gini-Rifkin-Author/100001680213365

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LinkedIn        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/



Friday, March 15, 2024

99 cent sale. Only a few days left for this award winning Historical Western.

 Perfect for this snowy weekend, 
                or save for a lazy summer afternoon!

A man for hire and a widowed goat rancher. Will the total eclipse unite more than the sun and moon? And why does the old prospector keep tabs on the town and show up just when needed? 

What does he desire most, the woman or the artifacts? Until he met Una MacLaren, he’d have chosen the relics. Now this Scottish lass has him rethinking the direction of his life.  

Spirits long dead are not resting easily, and a more recent murder has yet to be solved. Will the return of the mythical white cougar lead them to answers or destruction? 

 



                                                Available here

Best Historical Western of the year! 
Best secondary character 
                                               Available here

#99centromance #historicalwesternromancesale #romance99cents

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

99 Cent Sale, Award winning Break Heart Canyon

March 6th thru March 20th
99 cent sale 



When cattlemen try to burn down Una MacLaren’s ranch, two loveable donkeys help MacTavish the Deerhound protect their mistress. 

                 Best Historical Romance of the Year.
from Colorado Author's League 
                                                                    
     
Best Secondary Character 
        from Still Moments Magazine 


99 Cents
  
  A man for hire and a widowed goat rancher. Will the total eclipse unite more than the sun and moon? And why does the old prospector keep tabs on the town and show up just when needed? 


Then the mythical white cougar is seen prowling the cliffs, and old myths and legends reawaken. Will Una and Ryker reveal the love in their heart, or are happy endings never to be had in Break Heart Canyon? 
                              

Blurb: 
   Unearthing artifacts in Colorado sounded like easy money to Ryker Landry. Then he met the woman who owned the land. 
   Una MacLaren vows no fortune hunter will desecrate the ancient relics of Break Heart Canyon—even if the man is a handsome scoundrel. Fighting to keep her goat farm afloat as local cattlemen hatch deadly schemes to make sure she fails, she has enough to worry about. 
    Captivated by the courageous redhead, Ryker joins forces with Una and her Deerhound, MacTavish. But what does he desire most, the woman or the artifacts? 
    When the mythical white cougar again prowls the rocky cliffs, the legend of Break Heart Canyon draws them into a web of danger. Now only daring and blind trust can save them. 
99 cents
                      




Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Gini-Rifkin-Author/100001680213365

Amazon author              https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

The wild rose press       https://www.thewildrosepress.com/authors/gini-rifkin

Pinterest                         https://www.pinterest.com/ginirifkin/pins/

Goodreads                     http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

Barnes and Noble          http://bit.ly/2xPs9S4

AudioBooks                  https://adbl.co/2OlWbGJ

LinkedIn                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/


#99centsaleromance #westernromance #historicalromance