For my first September Guest Post, I have one from author Susanna Carr. I really enjoyed reading it. Her new Harlequin Blaze publication, The Bridesmaid's Best Man is coming out in October, keep a lookout for that. In this post, you'll also find an excerpt of the book, additional information and means to connect with the author.
Susanna Carr is giving away a $10 Amazon e-mail GC to one randomly drawn commenter.
Giveaway open from 4th - 11th of September, 2013
(This giveaway has ended!!!)
(This giveaway has ended!!!)
Wedding Bouquet Luck
It's not easy being a bridesmaid and in my latest Harlequin Blaze, The Bridesmaid's Best Man, bad luck seems to happen everywhere Angie turns. It doesn't help when her ex-boyfriend shows up, looking better than ever. But when disaster strikes one bridesmaid after another, Angie discovers that her protective ex is quickly becoming her lucky charm.
Luck--good and bad--plays a very important role in weddings. It's amazing how many wedding traditions were created to encourage good fortune or repel evil. A lot of what the bridal party carries is to protect the bride and groom. For example, did you know that brides carry roses for love and orange blossoms for happiness? Here are a few other ways the bride wards off bad luck with flowers:
1. In ancient times, a bride carried fragrant flowers and herbs to ward off evil spirits. The stronger the scent, the better!
2. Certain flowers are considered especially lucky in weddings. Marigolds are traditional in Hindu weddings because they're auspicious for the newlyweds. Some say the flower symbolizes loyalty in love while others say the marigold has a sacred meaning.
3. Add lavender in the wedding bouquet to encourage good fortune. Not only does lavender repel evil spirits, but it's believed that this flower brings good luck in love.
4. The act of tossing the bouquet is another way the bride protects herself. In ancient times, guests tore off pieces of the bride's dress and bouquet to grab some of her luck. Brides started to toss the bouquet to ward off the guests.
5. A bride has to be careful when tossing the bouquet. It's considered bad luck for her if the bouquet lands on the ground!
Luck--good and bad--plays a very important role in weddings. It's amazing how many wedding traditions were created to encourage good fortune or repel evil. A lot of what the bridal party carries is to protect the bride and groom. For example, did you know that brides carry roses for love and orange blossoms for happiness? Here are a few other ways the bride wards off bad luck with flowers:
1. In ancient times, a bride carried fragrant flowers and herbs to ward off evil spirits. The stronger the scent, the better!
2. Certain flowers are considered especially lucky in weddings. Marigolds are traditional in Hindu weddings because they're auspicious for the newlyweds. Some say the flower symbolizes loyalty in love while others say the marigold has a sacred meaning.
3. Add lavender in the wedding bouquet to encourage good fortune. Not only does lavender repel evil spirits, but it's believed that this flower brings good luck in love.
4. The act of tossing the bouquet is another way the bride protects herself. In ancient times, guests tore off pieces of the bride's dress and bouquet to grab some of her luck. Brides started to toss the bouquet to ward off the guests.
5. A bride has to be careful when tossing the bouquet. It's considered bad luck for her if the bouquet lands on the ground!
Susanna Carr
Publication Date: October 1st, 2013 (Kindle Edition)
Every bachelorette party has a surprise…
Angie Lawson is in Bridesmaid Hell--if Hell was a strip club filled with screaming women in stilettos. But her night's about to get a whole lot worse. Now her ex-boyfriend is standing right in front of her--every sexy, delicious inch of him--and Cole Foster isn't the kind of guy that any woman can just ignore….
Cole's working undercover, but he certainly wasn't expecting the intimate reminder of the wicked heat that he and Angie always shared. But when the maid of honor--silver stilettos and all--is knocked unconscious, Cole realizes he needs Angie's help to get into the bridal party. And if getting there means getting her in bed, too, then he's definitely the best man for the job!
Angie Lawson is in Bridesmaid Hell--if Hell was a strip club filled with screaming women in stilettos. But her night's about to get a whole lot worse. Now her ex-boyfriend is standing right in front of her--every sexy, delicious inch of him--and Cole Foster isn't the kind of guy that any woman can just ignore….
Cole's working undercover, but he certainly wasn't expecting the intimate reminder of the wicked heat that he and Angie always shared. But when the maid of honor--silver stilettos and all--is knocked unconscious, Cole realizes he needs Angie's help to get into the bridal party. And if getting there means getting her in bed, too, then he's definitely the best man for the job!
An Excerpt from The Bridesmaid's Best Man:
"Now is the time to sell this relationship..."
Angie gave Cole a wary look. "What do you have in mind?"
"Something like this." He lowered his head and claimed her mouth with his.
Cole knew he was playing with fire. He was only going to graze her lips. But he found that he couldn't pull away. He needed another kiss and then another. He traced her full, soft lips with the tip of his tongue.
Angie opened her mouth and drew him in. Triumph swept through him. He cupped her jaw with both hands and tilted her head. She kissed him as if she couldn't get enough of him. Excitement pulsed through Cole as she grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.
Cole wrenched away from Angie. Damn it, he thought, as he gulped in air. He forgot. He forgot where they were and why they were kissing.
Most of all, he forgot that kissing Angie was like sharing a piece of his soul….
About the Author:
Susanna Carr writes contemporary romances for Harlequin Blaze and Harlequin Presents. Reviewers describe her work as fun, sexy and very romantic. Readers throughout the world find her stories a delightful escape that has often helped them through difficult times.
Susanna Carr writes contemporary romances for Harlequin Blaze and Harlequin Presents. Reviewers describe her work as fun, sexy and very romantic. Readers throughout the world find her stories a delightful escape that has often helped them through difficult times.
When she isn't writing, Susanna enjoys reading romance and connecting with readers online. Visit susannacarr.com for news, excerpts and more.
Author Links:
(Note: I'm not responsible for the contents of this
post, including the book blurb, excerpt, giveaway, links and the author bio, as
all of the
above were provided to me by the author herself.) ~Punya
15 comments:
Congrats on the upcoming release, Susanna. I did not know there were so many superstitions regarding flowers. I've never caught the bouquet at a wedding.
Great post and congrats on your new release! I didn't know these things about the flowers in a wedding. I guess you do learn something every day!
quiltlady110 AT gmail DOT com
Congrats on the new release. I've never caught the bouquet and now I am married I will never. You need to be really bold, I was always too shy to really go for the bouquet and get it
fencingromein at hotmail dot com
Hi everyone (Jane, Quilt Lady, Shannon), thanks for stopping by! :)
Hi Susanna! I have never caught a bouquet. Tried a few times.
Hi Susanna. Great post. I didn't know this about wedding bouquets. I have never caught one.
crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
Jane, thanks for the congrats!
QuiltLady, thank you! I didn't know these things about the wedding flowers until I started researching for my book. There are so many wedding superstitions!! Who knew?
Shannon, catching the bouquet can get dangerous. I've seen some women really battle it out for the bouquet!
Punya, thank you so much for letting me be here today. I appreciate it!
Sue, I don't think I know anyone who caught the bouquet so I don't know if the tradition holds true.
CrystalGB, I never caught a bouquet, either!
I've never caught the bouquet, but I have thrown it. Interesting to read about the bouquet & the meaning of certain flowers.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Sue, Crystal and Mary thanks for being here and best of luck!
Ms. Carr, it was my pleasure. I loved the post and hosting you. :D
Thanks for the giveaway. I've never caught the bouquet!
nomfreebies at hotmail dot com
I haven't caught it. Sounds like a book my girlfriend would like.
ada.gherkin07 at gmail dot com
Angela and adagherkin, thank you for stopping by. :)
Mary, I enjoy watching the brides throw the bouquet. They seem to have so much fun doing it!
Angela, thanks for dropping by and commenting!
adagherkin, have her visit my website for a longer excerpt
Congratulations to Shannon R.! Her name was randomly chosen to receive the $10 Amazon.com e-mail gift card.
Thanks to everyone for visiting and answering the question.
Special thanks to Punya for hosting me on her site!
Congrats Shannon R.!! :D
Ms. Carr, anytime. Loved having you in my blog. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. xx
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