FIRST EVER ON P & P GIVEAWAY OF–SWEPT AWAY

 

And a Valentine”s History Lesson you”ll never forget

(no matter how hard you try)

I”ve got my authors copies of Swept Away!!

Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for a signed copy.

Swept Away

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn”t all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they”ve ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she”s rescued by Luke Stone…so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.

Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn”t make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can”t just abandon Ruthy, so she”ll have to come along.

His friends–a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers–take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that”s rather rude–he”s the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love.

AND NOW FOR MY VALENTINE”S DAY HISTORY LESSON
Which I used once before but you need to learn this so let”s review
The title of my lesson is:

WHAT? WAS FLESH COLORED PAINT ON SALE?

 
This is Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love and her son, Cupid, the Roman God of Love (Same last name? Who was the father? Already a scandal?)
 
I did a lot of reading about Cupid…
(translated to English…”that”s four hours of my life I”m never gettin” back.)
With it in mind to talk about Cupid on Valentine”s Day Week.
 
I actually started out to talk about St. Valentine. Except, well, the information is shady about the real St. Valentine, mostly I got, there were three Catholic priests named St. Valentine
(well, I suppose they were actually named just Valentine. The Saint came later, right?)
and they all died hideous deaths as martyrs,
soooo NOT the warm and romantic blog I

had in mind.

So, the St. Valentine guys had a feast day which was on February 14th.
Also on February 14th (so the legend goes) birds picked their mates which somehow got mixed up with the god of love, namely Cupid.
(hang in there, I know how boring backstory can be)
So St. Valentine”s Day became connected to this pagan holiday which was for the birds. (okay, you KNOW I had to say that)
The birds

mating is actually immortalized in a Chaucer Poem

called Parlement in Foules (Fowls??)
For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.
(choose his MATE? maybe?)
Not MY typos, complain to Chauer.
Cupid is sometimes young,
There are BEES on that kid…what sadist painted that?
(I checked, Lucas Cranach the Elder about 1525-
I suppose it”s too late to file charges now)
Sometimes Cupid is dang near girly, (why, oh why doesn”t Dan Brown write a DaVinci Code about the “cover-up” about Cupid being a girl??? Huh???–Nooooooooo he”s gotta go for Jesus being married. Well, fine, my next book is being outlined right now! Miss Cupid!)
But, boy or girl, child or adult, Cupid is all the time Nekkid.
What? Was there a colored paint shortage?
Flesh tones were on sale?
An artist had to make do?
 
I”ll encapsulate four hours of reading here.
Psyche…no, that”s a person, not a mental illness…was pretty but conceited.
Venus…also conceited…sent her son Cupid to MESS HER UP.
Cupid fell in love instead.
Venus did some payback on poor old conceited Psyche
but Psyche was so beautiful that people kept rescuing her. (BEEN THERE)

Finally Venus got control of her jealousy,

Psyche got over herself

(and put some clothes on, thank the Good Lord)

and
Cupid got the girl.

My gosh it”s just like one of my romance novels…

only with wings instead of a Stetson.

The end, cue the Godiva Chocolates, the Hallmark card industry
and bring on Pro-Flowers.com

This, well, this is just disturbing, I”d need a paint roller and a gallon of Little Dutch Boy to get clothes on all these people.
I”m sorry, I just don”t like people running around nekkid.
I never do it myself and don”t see why anyone else should get to.
I know, it”s art. I”ve got a friend who”s an artist.
She”s talked me through it.
The reasons for nudes, the ART of it all.

Not buying it. Put some clothes on for heaven”s sake.

And that is the story of Valentine”s Day,

minus the slow agonizing death and graphic dismemberment

of some Catholic Priests.

Enjoy your chocolates and hope and pray the roses don”t attract bees.

http://www.maryconnealy.com/

 

Website | + posts

Author of Romantic Comedy...with Cowboys including the bestselling Kincaid Brides Series
https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules

53 thoughts on “FIRST EVER ON P & P GIVEAWAY OF–SWEPT AWAY”

  1. Mary, Mary, Mary. You are too funny! I was an art student and never understood the reason for nudes.
    Happy Valentine’s Day
    Campbellamyd at Gmail dot com

  2. LOL! Not fond of the nekkid part either! Sometimes it’s nice to leave a little bit hidden. . . I would LOVE a copy of Swept away! I love your writing, Mary! silygoos at gmail dot com.

  3. Mary, thank you for the lesson. It was so nice to see Cupid today. I hope I win a copy of Swept Away, it looks like a great book. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

  4. Happy Valentines Day, Mary! And thanks for the laugh this morning. I would love a chance to win your book, thanks!

  5. It doesn’t matter what you’re writing, you crack me up – but all the while I’m laughing, I’m thinking…this girl does her homework!

    As always I look forward to reading another Mary Connealy book.

  6. Mary thanks for putting all those nekkid pictures of cupid in my head.. Not how I envison St. Valentine’s Day, but hey, chocolate can do wonders for a girls imagination and cowboys make it all the more fun…

  7. You always get me laughing out loud, Mary. Thanks for the fun start to my day…and for reminding me I gotta go get something for hubby. BTW, the book sounds as amazing as always. xoxo

  8. Thanks for the laughs. I’ll never look at Cupid the same, LOL. Love the setting for your new book. I love wagon train stories!

  9. Now I’m thinking about stetsons with wings. Or maybe a stetson wearing hero with wings. Oh, the possibilities.

    Can’t wait to be Swept Away, Mary!

    Gotta close down now so the kiddoes here at work don’t see all the nekkids.

  10. Mary! I have been sitting here laughing my way through your post. I needed this! I agree with you–Cupid DID look girly in some of those pics! This is a wonderful post–I enjoyed it so much. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. I know I’m not getting any candy from the dh–he’s very unromantic, but we did go to early Valentine’s dinner last night. I guess I will just have to wait until tomorrow when the Easter candy will be stocked and go buy myself a few Cadbury eggs…LOLLOL
    Cheryl

  11. Happy Valentine’s Day!

    Ok so naked people already freak me out so when we had to study these in school it made me uncomfortable that all i could do was laugh. I think the teacher thought i was nuts but i was not alone in my feelings. How really does anyone expect someone to teach of these historic nude pictures and not get a response such as hahahahahha. Thanks for the fun memory!

  12. Thank you for doing the research and writing the comments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and got a good laugh.
    Your book sounds really interesting and I have added it to my TBR list.

  13. well, even that strange history lesson (with way too much information) was funny. maybe i’ll actually win something this time. 🙂 but if i don’t win that, i’d take anything signed by you (just not a picture with a naked cupid or anything).

  14. Well, now, we just had a lesson on how to avoid Cupid…keep your clothes on. LOL

    Happy Valentine’s Day or should I say Happy Cupid Day? *shrug* Either way works for me.

  15. Wow! All I can say is, I’m glad you took the time to do the research for the rest of us… I don’t think I’d have made it through! 😉 And I really enjoyed your comical take on it!
    Happy Valentines, Mary! I can’t wait to read your new book (much more preferable than cupid)!

  16. Read this last night before I went to bed and I think I dreamed about Cupid all night.
    Happy Valentines Day. Your humor is GREAT! The pictures weren’t too bad, either.

  17. Mary is my new favorite author! I have read several already and just finished Sophie’s Daughters. I am searching for everything I can get my hands on that she has written! I would love to win this one! And, I agree – put some clothes on! 😉 Thanks for doing the drawing!

  18. Indeed, there was an awful lot of flashin’ going on. But here’s what gets me. Look how comfy all those winged naked ones were with their poofy tummies and little rolls. Now THAT is worth celebrating. Bring on the chocolate!

    Fun post! 🙂

  19. Great post, loved it. No Roses or Chocolate here today. We went and had our taxes filled out. That is how we spent our day of love. My hubby is so romantic can’t you tell. Love your books Mary and I can’t wait to read your new one. Thanks for sharing dear cupid today.

  20. Thanks for this entertaining post, Mary. I much prefer your books to cupid stories. I’m looking forward to reading Swept Away so would love to win a copy here.
    Happy Valentine’s Day!

  21. I still think Valentine’s Day was created just to get more money off people, buuuuut there is a little part of me that still wants to believe in true love.

    Cowboys are the best so put me down for that vote.

  22. I enjoyed your comments too, Mary! Since today is my birthday, I’ve always enjoyed ANYTHING Valentine! A history lesson is my favorite! Thanks for the birthday treat!

  23. Mary~ I didn’t read this yesterday, but if it’s not to late, I’d love to enter the drawing. My Granny Thelm and I both thought Over the Edge was the best of the Kincaid Brides series. I think Seth looks a little like Grandpa when he was young, and that’s why she liked him so well. I can’t wait to read Swept Away, and I know she’ll be excited too.

    Valentine’s Day was good here. Hubby got me and our little girl each a balloon and a card. I intended to make a card for him. As I was reading this, I realized I never did. I’m a great wife, huh?

    I don’t mind the wings so much. I kinda like angels, but all that skin is disturbing.

  24. LOL, I never understood artists and still never will. Thank you for this enertaining piece of art history!

  25. You are just too funny! I love all of your books, I am guaranteed a lively read. As our church librarian your books are going on the shelves. What more could I ask for…clean fun, romance, excitement…. You’re g-o-o-d.

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