From February 10-16, 2013, I am participating in the Hearts Through History Blog Hop. There are 24 blogs involved, each with a special giveaway in honor of Valentine’s Day! (A list is at the end of this post.) Our blogs will feature our favorite romantic anecdotes.
One of the most romantic real-life love stories is that of poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, a love story that began through poetry and grew in their letters. During their correspondence after their meeting, before Elizabeth consented to their elopement and marriage, Robert wrote, “…Will it help me to say that once in this Aladdin-cavern I knew I ought to stop for no heaps of jewel-fruit on the trees from the very beginning, but go on to the lamp, the prize, the last and best of all?….” [Letter dated September 16, 1845] They finally married secretly on September 12, 1846 at St. Marleybone Church, almost a year to the day. I am not, in general a fan of poetry, but their correspondence and poems, when read together, are simply exquisite. To be the prize… (Sigh!)
My favorite fictional romantic anecdote comes from Jane Austen’s Persuasion. The letter written by Captain Wentworth to Anne Elliot is one of the most beautiful love letters. “…You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it eight years and a half ago….” The ultimate second-chance-at love story. Who could possibly resist?
What is your favorite romantic quotation or anecdote?
It is easy to enter the giveaway; just leave a comment for a chance to win! The giveaway will close on February 16, and the winner will be drawn by February 20, 2013. I will post the name of my winner on this blog. (Please leave contact information if you want to receive an e-mail!) The prize will be a signed hardback copy of HEYERWOOD: A Novel, with some special surprise treats to enjoy with it. This giveaway is open to the US, Canada, UK and Europe.
Be sure to enter on each blog for a chance to win the prizes. Visit each of the blogs featured, so that you won’t miss out! The list of participants follows:
Hop Participants
- Random Bits of Fascination (Maria Grace)
- Pillings Writing Corner (David Pilling)
- Sally Smith O’Rourke
- Darcyholic Diversions (Barbara Tiller Cole)
- Faith, Hope and Cherry Tea
- Rosanne Lortz
- Sharon Lathan
- Debra Brown
- http://laurengilbertheyerwood.wordpress.com/ You’re here now!
- Regina Jeffers
- Ginger Myrick
- Anna Belfrage
- Fall in love with history (Grace Elliot)
- http://nancybilyeau.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentine-third-century-style.html Nancy Bilyeau
- Wendy Dunn: http://wendyjdunn.wordpress.com/valentines-hop-through-history/
- E.M. Powell
- Georgie Lee
- The Riddle of Writing (Deborah Swift)
- Outtakes from a Historical Novelist (Kim Rendfeld)
- The heart of romance (Sherry Gloag)
- A day in the life of patootie (Lori Crane)
- Karen Aminadra
- Dunhaven Place (Heidi Ashworth)
- Stephanie Renee dos Santos
Excellant idea. Too often romance is lost in a welter of words. I also like the plan of combining blogs as people are so different in their perceptions. Well done.
Maria Grace thought of it and organized it. I thought it was a great idea, too! Thanks for commenting.
Captain Wentworth’s letter gets me every time. And that bit between Barrett and Browning was lovely, too.
So glad you enjoyed it, Angelyn!
Yes! This is a big favorite of mine! Love their story, and how it is so beautifully revealed in their poems.
Excellent post! Sharon
Thank you, Sharon!
I’m loving this blog hop – when I started I couldn’t think of any real historic romances that ended well but now I’ve read about several as I go thru the hop.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
It is encouraging to realize how many real love stories actually went well! Thanks for commenting!
So loved your look at Elizabeth and Robert, Lauren! And of course Captain Wentworth. Thanks! Barbara
Thank you, Barbara! (Could any look at romance be complete without Captain Wentworth?)
Thank you for the wonderful giveaway. I’ve been wanting to read this book!
Susan Heim
smhparent [at] hotmail [dot] com
Thank you for this giveaway opportunity!
Patkf2007@hotmail.com
Lauren-
Lovely! I thoroughly enjoyed the romantic quotes and would adore to read your novel. I do have an USA address that it could be sent to and then my dear mother will mail it to me in South America should I be lucky enough to win!
Amor from Brazil…
Stephanie Renée dos Santos
Email: stephaniereneedossantos at gmail.com
http://www.stephaniereneedossantos.com
Thank you so much for your comments, Stephanie!I’m glad you enjoyed them.
Lauren-
Lovely! I thoroughly enjoyed the romantic quotes and would adore to read your novel. I do have an USA address that it could be sent to and then my dear mother will mail it to me in South America should I be lucky enough to win!
Amor from Brazil…
Stephanie Renée dos Santos
Email: stephaniereneedossantos at gmail.com
http://www.stephaniereneedossantos.com
How do I love thee, let me count the ways… Thanks for a chance to win Heyerwood!
Captain Wentworth’s letter is definitely a thing of beauty to me too. Perfection. I love the Browning’s love story too. I read about it at another stop on this blog hop and was awed by the beauty of it. You are not alone. And I’m not a huge fan of poetry either. Thank you for sharing.
Lisa, I’m so glad you enjoyed the blog!
Great idea! Celebrate National Women’s History Month by posting a LifeStory of a woman who has had an impact on your life. We started with Elizabeth Barrett Browning. We would love for you to share your favorite poem/quote of her’s with us!
http://ow.ly/isZ3k