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Saturday, February 20, 2016

Countdown Day #9: Leap Into Love (the Victorian Way)

Kristin Holt | Leap Into Love the Victorian Way: Leap Year Romance!

by Kristin Holt

American Victorians recognized Leap Year and its various Old World traditions and many took them seriously.

Newspaper: Weekly Kansas Chief, Troy KS, 21 January 1892. Courtesy: Newspapers.com

Leap Year Greeting Cards

While the once-in-every-four-years occasion was often marked by greeting cards mailed to family, friends, and acquaintances (and some cards were often ribald and off-color), many such pieces of correspondence poked a bit of fun at the long-held traditions of Leap Year (not just the 29th of February). Other event cards were most genuine, some offering young ladies a way to express her interest in a swain (era-appropriate term for a male admirer or suitor) and retain her dignity.


LEAP YEAR IN THE WEST: The western method, while rough and uncouth, still brings practical results in 1908. Postcard. Courtesy: www.gooseflats.com. Used with permission.

All Jokes Aside...

Newspaper articles verify that marriageable young women took their opportunities to exercise what society and proper decorum had labeled manly responsibilities. Ladies called for young men at their homes to accompany them to Leap Year dances and parties. Newspaper articles not only address the proper way for a young woman to go about offering a serious proposal of marriage (see article, above), but also how a young man could respectfully go about saying no without causing undo damage to that young lady's feelings. Curiously, newspapers reported many happy occurrences where young couples admitted a Leap Year proposal, but down the road a few years few happy couples seemed willing to admit their course to "conjugal felicity" (one of my favored Victorian American phrases) began with the wife proposing marriage to her now husband.

A legitimate offer of marriage, through the mail, or another lighthearted joke? You decide! Source: Pinterest

MORE Victorian American Leap Year coming soon...

I'm tickled to present Victorian Leap Year Traditions, Part 1 (link live on 2-28-16) and Victorian Leap Year Traditions, Part 2 (link live on 2-29-16). Each will address historic documentation of American Victorian Leap Year dances, parties, newspaper accounts of young ladies popping the questions, best advice from gurus for young men navigating the challenge of Leap Year, and so much more. Please mark your calendars and plan to stop by on Leap Day!

Do YOU know anyone whose attachment became 'official' from a woman exercising her Leap Year prerogative? Please respond! (after all, doing so enters you in the drawing associated with our Countdown to Leap Into Love!)

And don't forget the COUNTDOWN Rafflecopter!

I'm pleased to contribute an eBook of my newest release, MAIL ORDER BRIDE: A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY in the grand-prize.

I gave away one kindle edition of this popular new release to one winner in each of two drawings held here at Sweet Americana Sweethearts in early February (here AND here). (Thank you, everyone, for your interest!).

Day #9 of Countdown to Leap into Love featuring:

Kristin Holt

Learn more about this author by visiting her author page. Click HERE

To chat with all of our authors and have a chance to win more prizes, join us at our

Leap into Love Facebook Party

on Monday, February 29th ~ Leap Day! ~ from 5:30 to 8:30p.m. Eastern Time

Join the party by clicking HERE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hi! I'm Kristin Holt.

I write frequent articles (or view recent posts easily on my Home Page, scroll down to mid to lower) about the nineteenth century American west–every subject of possible interest to readers, amateur historians, authors…as all of these tidbits surfaced while researching for my books. I also blog monthly at Sweet Americana Sweethearts (first Friday of each month) and Romancing the Genres (third Tuesday of each Month).

I love to hear from readers! Please drop me a note. Or find me on Facebook.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

The Countdown Begins-A Visual Tour of the Oregon Trail

Today begins our countdown to the Leap Into Love Facebook Party. Only 11 Days to go until you can come and chat with your favorite authors and win prizes.

As I thought of what to share today, the Oregon Trail kept coming to mind. I kept thinking of other topics, but the idea wouldn't go away, so today I'll take you on a visual tour of the Oregon Trail, sharing photos of some of the most recognizable landmarks the emigrants would look for on their countdown to Oregon.

We begin with Independence, MO, the beginning of the trail.

Our next step is Courthouse and Jailhouse Rock, the first landmark the pioneers would come to.

Twelve miles west comes one of the now most famous landmarks, Chimney Rock.

We're counting down and well into our trip. Now we've reached what's present-day Wyoming, and we make a stop at Ft. Laramie, one of the most important forts in the west. Close your eyes and picture it in its heyday, with scores of soldiers, wagons, and pioneers about.

Moving on, we stop at Independence Rock, so called each because wagon train hoped to reach it by July 4th. If they didn't, they knew they were behind.

About this time, many pioneers would need to restock supplies. Ft. Bridger became an important stopping point along the trail.

Now in Washington, we come to the Whitman Mission. An important piece of history, it was burned down in 1847 by the Cayuse Indians in what's known at the Whitman Massacre. Today in it's location is a national historic site and monument to honor its former presence.

Arrival! After nearly six months or more, the pioneers have made to the lush green land of the the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

Day 11 of Countdown to Leap into Love featuring:

Leah Atwood

Learn more about this author by visiting her author page. Click HERE

To chat with all of our authors and have a chance to win more prizes, join us at our

Leap into Love Facebook Party

on Monday, February 29th ~ Leap Day! ~ from 5:30 to 8:30p.m. Eastern Time

Join the party by clicking HERE.