Valentine's Day: Books with LOVE Hop Guest Post- Shana Galen

Valentine's Day: Books with LOVE Hop

Today during the Love Hop, We are happy to welcome Shana Galen author of many wonderful Historical and Contemporary books. Shana took time in her busy schedule to write a wonderful guest post for you all. You can also thank Shana for donating two of her titles to the Love Hop giveaway. 

Valentine’s Day in Regency England

by Shana Galen

If you think Valentine’s Day was manufactured by Hallmark and Russell Stover to sell greeting cards and chocolate, think again. The holiday was extremely popular in the nineteenth century, and unattached ladies and gentleman could make or buy valentines and have them hand-delivered or sent by post (more on that later).

I know if my husband made me a valentine, I would be extremely impressed, but in the nineteenth century, the practice was de rigeur. A lady might paint a romantic scene of flowers or hearts. If the artist wanted to get very fancy, he could make what was called a puzzle purse. The love message was concealed under flaps, and the recipient had the fun of discovering the sentiments. These resembled those paper games kids make today, which fit on their fingers and open and close (I confiscated more than one in my days as a middle school teacher).

However, in the nineteenth century even manufactured valentines left room for the writer to add his or her own sentiments. Oh, the pressure! Fortunately, there were resources to help the blocked valentine’s poet. Books called Valentine’s Writers were available for sale.

Once the valentine was ready, a lady or gentleman could send a servant to deliver it or send it by post. Of course, in England in the nineteenth century, postage was paid by the recipient. A young lady receiving many valentines would have to pay for them to be delivered. Not quite so romantic!

I write romance novels set in the early 1800s, but I’ve never had my characters celebrate Valentine’s Day. Perhaps that’s because my heroes aren’t the poetic sort. They’re more likely to abscond with the heroine than send her a poem surrounded by flowers.

But despite the commercialization of the holiday, I have a soft spot for Valentine’s Day. I do love romance, and if there’s a bit of adventure and intrigue, all the better. Here’s to hoping your Valentine’s Day is filled with romance and adventure! And to give you a head start on the romance, I’ll give one person who comments a copy of the first books in my Sons of the Revolution series, The Making of a Duchess and The Making of a Gentleman. What are your Valentine’s Day plans?

Shana Galen is the author of numerous fast-paced adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne’s Bride. Her books have been sold worldwide, including Brazil, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and the Netherlands, and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time. She’s a wife, a mother, and an expert multi-tasker. She loves to hear from readers. Visit her website at www.shanagalen.com, friend her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

A List of Shana Galen's Historical Books:

• No Man's Bride (Misadventures in Matrimony #1)
• Good Groom Hunting (Misadventures in Matrimony #2)
• Blackthorne's Bride (Misadventures in Matrimony #3)
• The Making of a Duchess (The Sons of the Revolution #1)
• The Making of a Gentleman (The Sons of the Revolution #2)
• The Making of a Rogue (The Sons of the Revolution #3)
• When Dashing Met Danger (Spies #1)
• Pride and Petticoats (Spies #2)

A List of Shana Galen's Contemporary Books:

(Written as Shane Bolks)

• Reality TV Bites: A Novel
• The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Men I've Dated