Sweet Romance Reads: Sweet Western Historical Romance

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Sweet Historical Romance Paperback Book Giveaway ~ by Kristin Holt

Dear Sweet Romance Reads Members,

I have a special gift, EXCLUSIVELY for members of Sweet Romance Reads!

I'm giving away TEN autographed *PAPERBACK COPIES of a #1 Bestselling Title in FIVE Amazon categories: #1 in Inspirational Romance, #1 in Western Romance, #1 in Clean and Wholesome Romance, #1 in Historical Romance, #1 in Victorian Historical Romance (all at some time in this title's life on Amazon).

Title: The Bride Lottery

Author: USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Holt

Genre: Sweet Western Historical (Mail-Order Bride) Romance

Length: 186 paperback pages (*the 2017 edition = 226 paperback pages)

Rating: 4.4 average stars over 306 Amazon reviews, and 3.93 average stars over 352 Goodreads ratings.

Value: 2017 Edition sells for $8.99 (Original sold for $7.99)

*Note: Due to prohibitive postage rates from the United States to other nations, I'll ship paperback editions ONLY within the United States. If winners reside in other countries, I'll substitute the kindle edition of this same title.

TO ENTER THE DRAWING:

1. REPLY to this post on SweetRomanceReads.com, AND

2. REPLY to the pinned (at very top) post on our Sweet Romance Reads Cafe on Facebook.

3. Your reply to my post in BOTH places constitutes your entry in this drawing. Failure to post in both places disqualifies your entry.

What to say? How about answering this question: "What do you love most about Sweet Romance?"

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT DRAWING:

1. Drawing will remain open for 24 hours. ENTRIES ACCEPTED only through midnight TONIGHT, 9-12-17. Any posts after midnight will not qualify.

2. TEN names will be drawn from the Stetson early in the morning on the 13th, and winners' names posted on both FB and SRR.com.

3. Check back! Winners--quick contact Kristin (on my website) or by emailing Kristin (at) KristinHolt (dot) com or by PM-ing me on FB. All I need is your mailing address (to ship the paperback); remember if you're outside the U.S.A., I need your normal email address (to "gift" you the kindle copy).

4. Winners' prizes will be shipped by USPS Media Mail® ASAP after receipt of addresses.

5. Addresses (and all private information) will be safeguarded and used only for the purpose of delivering this gift/prize.

WHY the giveaway?

Because The Bride Lottery has a new cover! (and updated interior).

Thanks for entering, and good luck!

Hugs,

Kristin

Friday, August 25, 2017

This Day in History: August 25, 1885 (Surprising!)

by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Holt

To say I'm enamored with history is a bit of an understatement. I stumbled across two captivating articles, published on August 25, 1885--132 years ago today. First, a plea for unattached women to make their way to Garfield county [sic]... to become wives. Among other (G-rated) advertised duties, to "feed us". Second, detailed instructions on how to make sandwiches. Both articles appeared in the Topeka Daily Capital of Topeka, Kansas, on August 25, 1885.

First, to the county deprived of enough marriageable women. This article was reprinted from the Denver (Colo.) Tribune [sic].

GIRLS WANTED. Topeka Daily Capital of Topeka, Kansas. August 25, 1885.

This fashion plate illustrates what women wore (at least the wealthy in Paris and the Upper 500 in New York) in 1885. I imagine they'd have to swap for calico and more functional designs to meet the work cut out for them as wives in a rural county in the West.

1885 fashion: Image courtesy of Pinterest

Second, to sandwiches. Apparently, sandwich recipes, like all other menu options (and recipes) were appealing to readers of the day.

And women needed instructions how to make sandwiches well. (giggle) Just look at the length of this newspaper article. Note that this lengthy instruction was attributed to Harper's Bazar (spelled truly this way until later when the double-a made it Harper's Bazaar).

The Making of Sandwiches. Topeka Daily Capital of Topeka, KS. August 25, 1885. Part 1 of 3.

The Making of Sandwiches. Topeka Daily Capital of Topeka, KS. August 25, 1885. Part 2 of 3.

The Making of Sandwiches. Topeka Daily Capital of Topeka, KS. August 25, 1885. Part 3 of 3.

This cover image of Harper's Bazar is from October of 1885, so the sandwich instructions couldn't have been contained in this issue. But I liked the illustrations of dresses (another great visual of the times and seasons). And the appearance of antique paper.

Cover of Harper's Bazar magazine, dated October 1885. Image: Pinterest.

So, now that you've had an introduction to the "big news" on August 25, 1885 (132 years ago today), what do you think?

Would you have gone to Garfield county [sic] to try your luck and finding a worthy groom? Or would you be tempted by the certain entertainment behind the plea from so many bachelors?

Now that you've read Harper's Bazar instructions on the fine art of sandwich building, what culinary creation will you stack next?

~ Please scroll down and reply ~