Beloved Ireland ~ Land of Shamrocks and Pots of Gold

Ireland is a country that embeds itself in your heart. Once you’ve been there you’ll never forget it, and the love affair will continue for the rest of your life.

Since March is famous for St. Patrick’s Day, I thought it appropriate to post a tribute to Ireland, Eire, the ancient Hibernia, and all the other names by which this fair island has been known over the centuries.

Perhaps I’m trying to gain favor with the leprechauns so they might gift me some gold, or an insider’s map to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

In any event, Ireland is a fabulous place to set a romantic suspense.

Here are a few things Ireland is most famous for:

St. Patrick, Claddagh Rings, Guinness Beer, Blarney Castle, Jameson Whiskey, Aran Sweaters and other woolen works of art, The Cliffs of Moher, intricate crystal and glass (used to be Waterford Glass), wit and Irish music, Leprechauns and their Pots of Gold, Shamrocks and 4-Leaf Clovers, Kerrygold butter, and Bono’s U2…

Ireland has beautiful landscape. No matter what part of the small gem of a country you visit, there is a highly educated population with a strong work ethic, a thriving tourist trade with some of the friendliest locals in the world, top quality food, thanks to the rich soil and mournful climate, a fine health care system available to all citizens, and sadly, the loss of too many brilliant young people through emigration in search of opportunity elsewhere.

I’ve written two stories set in Ireland, with several more to come.

To Kiss A Leprechaun is a magical fantasy romance novella that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Raven of Blackthorn Manor is a Gothic romantic suspense novella in the brilliant A World of Gothic series. 

If you've ever been to Ireland, what was your favorite experience?

As you can see, I've been bitten by the little green lady bug... so, whether you are really Irish or just wish you were, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

GEMMA JULIANA writes all kinds of love stories, from contemporary to paranormal. She has a penchant for romantic international settings. Gemma lives in a cozy cottage in Texas with her very own hero, teen son, and a dog who rules them all. Chocolate and coffee nourish her muse and fuel her creativity. She loves hearing from readers.

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Leap Year ~ Facts, Fun & Fiction

Surely you’ve heard myths and legends about Leap Year. 
 

Whereas the truth behind the existence of Feb 29^th is purely astronomical, it has become a bit of an urban legend in itself. Our year can be measured by 365 days and approximately 6 hours. Therefore, every fourth year we have 366 days – an extra day to make up for the 6 extra hours over a four year period. 

Here's some of what is circulating about Leap Year:

Leap year happens every four years, when we add February 29^th to the calendar. Like everything else that humans are involved in, it has become a bit a legend over the years.

This is a time when women will succeed to positions of leadership and fame.

It’s considered a year of good fortune and luck. 

Christopher Columbus (portrait above is said to be him) could attest to that while he and his crew were marooned on the island of Jamaica, where the natives had grown tired of their arrogance and had stopped bringing them food. He made use of a lunar eclipse he knew was imminent on February 29th 1504. Gathering the chiefs, he told them God would punish them if they didn't resume feeding the foreigners and would soon show them His displeasure with a sign in the sky. As the eclipse moved in and the moon darkened, they grew terrified of God's wrath and the stranger's potent magic. They agreed to feed the crew again and of course the eclipse started to clear. There were no further problems with the locals while they were stuck on the island.

Leap year is when you should expect the unexpected. The entire year is full of surprises and usually the opposite of what you expect is what will happen.

Nowadays, women propose whenever they wish, but that was not always the case. It used to be unheard of for a woman to propose to a man. Only on February 29th could women propose marriage. 

Slemish Mountain, Co. Antrim where St Patrick is said to have shepherded as a slave

The tradition is said to have begun in 5^th century Ireland when something known as St. Bridget’s Complaint argued that women were having to wait too long to be asked to marry. St. Patrick gave permission for women to propose to the man they desired every February 29^th. Just one day every four years! 

St. Brigid of Kildare

Fast forward to 13^th century Scotland. Women were encouraged to wear red petticoats when proposing, and to make sure the object of their affection could see it beneath their skirts. If a man rejected a proposal made on Feb 29^th he had to pay a fine. Usually it was a kiss or a dozen pairs of gloves, so the embarrassed woman could hide the fact there was no ring on her finger.

It is said that back in the day, Feb 29^th was not recognized by English Law. Therefore, it was a day beyond the law and without legal status. Spunky women took advantage of it to make their proposals.

I saw a sweet movie called Leap Year that was filmed around 2010, starring Amy Adams. She played a young woman who traveled to Ireland – and then across the island – to propose to her love on that special date.

In Greece, it is considered unlucky to marry on February 29^th while in Finland women are encouraged to propose only on February 29th for good fortune. 

Whether leap year proposals are considered auspicious or inauspicious depends on who you ask. It's all in good sport, and at the same times gives us another snapshot into how women were viewed and treated hundreds of years ago.

As romance authors, our vivid imaginations can conjure all sorts of love stories unfolding into marriage proposals on that quirky day.

And since St. Patrick’s Day is just a hop, skip and a leap (no pun intended) from February 29^th, I thought I’d mention my sweet romance, To Kiss A Leprechaun. This magical love story speaks of kisses, marriages and fantasy such as one can only find in mythical Ireland. 

Do you have any Leap Year stories to share with us? Do you know a woman who proposed on February 29th?

GEMMA JULIANA writes all kinds of love stories, from contemporary to paranormal. She has a penchant for romantic international settings. Gemma lives in a cozy cottage in Texas with her very own hero, teen son, and a dog who rules them all. Chocolate and coffee nourish her muse and fuel her creativity. She loves hearing from readers.

www.gemmajuliana.com

http://gemmajuliana.blogspot.com/

amazon.com/author/gemmajuliana

www.twitter.com/gemma_juliana

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March ~ The Month of Castles & Aquamarines

March is the month that many of us think of Ireland, due to St. Patrick’s Day, but there is so much more to the Emerald Isle. It is an island steeped in magic, lore and… castles.  

Ireland is one of the richest countries on the planet in terms of castles. There are so many of them dotted around the countryside, one is literally surprised at every curve on the winding roads with a glimpse of a castle, or a ruin of what once was a castle. Like people, some castles have endured better than others over the years, but each of them has a fascinating history worthy of a novel.

We tend to think of castles as romantic places, but too often their romantic histories are also drenched in blood, power struggles and tyranny. Rebellions were born and died within their walls, and kings were chosen and murdered. Ah, but to hear the echoes of ancient conversations! 

Some of the famous legendary castles in Ireland are Blarney Castle, Bunratty Castle, Ashford Castle and Slane Castle. Have you ever heard of Rockfleet Castle?

Once upon a time, there lived a famous female pirate, Grace O’Malley. She had a great love for accumulating castles and cattle. Her family controlled much of the west coast of Ireland in the 1500s. They built castles along the coastline to protect their lands as well as their waters. 

Other fishermen paid them a tax in order to fish there. Strategy and accumulation of wealth were of the utmost importance to Grace.

It’s said that she chose her second husband, Richard “Iron Richard” Bourke, because he was a man of wealth, and she was intent on expanding hers. She coveted his home, Rockfleet Castle. At that time, Ireland was governed by Brehonic Law. They married for “one year certain” under the law, and it is said that when the year was up, Grace shut herself into the castle with her entourage and locked Richard out. She leaned out a window and shouted down at him, “I dismiss you, Richard Burke,” thereby ending their marriage. Since she was in the castle and he wasn’t, Rockfleet became hers. This supports the theory that possession was nine-tenths of the law in those days.

Switching gears, my novella, To Kiss A Leprechaun, involves an imaginary fairy palace. This is a sweet romance – imagine the Beast from Beauty and the Beast falling in love with Sleeping Beauty.

Lorcan, Prince of the Fairies, lives in a fairy palace in Bally Sidhe (sidhe is the Irish word for the fairy folk). It is filled with treasures of gold, jewels and rich tapestries, but he sees none of his riches.

Cursed by a witch long ago, Lorcan endures each day as a hideous beast-man, hoping to find the only woman who can break the curse with her kiss. He soon loses himself in Aine’s jewel-like aquamarine eyes, and becomes determined to win her heart.

Aine Byrne has no intentions of kissing Lorcan. Although she’s not cruel, she’s never seen an uglier man. Repulsed by his looks, she soon hears the beauty in his voice and sees his compassionate nature. Then she discovers the magic in his eyes. If only she could gaze into his eyes without seeing the rest of him… a fragile trust is born.

When danger threatens, Lorcan is presented with an opportunity to become her knight in shining armor.

Will they kiss before time runs out? Will Aine become his princess, and live with him in the fairy palace at Bally Sidhe happily ever after?

Have you ever wished you could visit an Irish castle someday? Which one? If you already have, please tell us about it!

GEMMA JULIANA is a multi-published author who lives in an enchanted cottage in north Texas with her handsome hero, teen son and a comical dog. She loves making new friends and hearing from readers. Exotic coffee and chocolate fuel her creativity. You can buy Gemma’s books on Amazon.   

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