Christmas–Regency Style with Vanessa Kelly (and book giveaway) Back to Blog
Update: The winner of MY FAVORITE COUNTESS is…Rita Wray. Congratulations, Rita!
Thank you all so much for coming to the DECK THE HALLS WITH DARK ANGELS party! I hope you’re having fun! My next guest definitely knows how to party (because I’ve seen her do it!). Not only is Vanessa Kelly a fabulous author, but the woman is hilarious, too. I love hanging out with her, so I’m extra excited that she is posting at the party. AND–Vanessa has a new book out, just in time for your holiday reading fun! Now, here’s….VANESSA!
PARTY ON!!
I’m so happy to be here today, helping Cynthia celebrate the release of her new book. I hoist my glass to you, girlfriend!
I also have a new book that was recently released, a holiday-themed historical romance called His Mistletoe Bride. There are several festive occasions highlighted in the book—that was a lot of fun to write about because if there was one thing they knew how to do during the Regency period it was party. This was especially true during the Christmas Season, which ran from Christmas Eve through to Twelfth Night on January 6. The final party on Twelfth Night was usually a real wing-ding, roughly comparable to the kind of blow-out we now celebrate on New Year’s Eve.
One of my favorite scenes in the book happens at a family get-together, when the wassail bowl first makes its appearance. Wassail, a very boozy and sometimes alarming beverage depending on the ingredients, was the high point of many a Christmas party, and family recipes were often closely guarded secrets. And I suspect that over-consumption of wassail probably led to more than one family feud!
What were the ingredients that made wassail such a potent beverage? Well, the base was usually mulled apple cider with sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, sometimes topped with slices of toast. Apples and oranges could be added to the mix too. In earlier times, the base often consisted of either mulled beer or mead, and any wassail recipe could be topped off with brandy or sherry. Do we really need to wonder why folks had such a great time at Regency Christmas parties?!
What about you, readers? What’s your favorite beverage during the holidays? Does your family have a secret recipe for punch, eggnog, or even wassail? One person who comments will win a copy of my previous book, My Favorite Countess.
***
And now, for a peek at…
BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE…
When Major Lucas Stanton inherited his earldom, he never dreamed his property would include the previous earl’s granddaughter. Phoebe Linville is a sparkling American beauty, yes, but with a talent for getting into trouble. Witness the compromising position that forced them into wedlock. Whisked away to Mistletoe Manor, his country estate, it isn’t long before she is challenging his rules—and surprising him in and out of bed…
Phoebe has no intention of bowing to Lucas’s stubbornness even though he offers all that she wants. His kisses and unexpected warmth are enticing, but Phoebe is determined to show the Earl of Merritt what real love is all about. And if that takes twelve nights of delicious seduction by a roaring fire, she’s more than willing to reveal her gifts very slowly…
Buy links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Books A Million
Vanessa Kelly was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the “New Stars of Historical Romance.” Her Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Vanessa also writes contemporary romance with her husband under the name of V.K. Sykes. You can find her on the web at www.vanessakellyauthor.com or at www.vksykes.com.
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My favorite beverage is plain iced tea, no lemom. Pretty boring, I know. We do a virgin egg nog for New Year’s, although one daughter lives it up for the rest of us. Congratulations on the new book and may your holidays be grand.
I wish I did. The punch sounds good. We do make punch, but nothing special. 7up, pineapple juice, and fruit punch. Mix it up with ice, and really good. I also like margaritas with my cousins. They love when I make them. But that is for later in the evening with just the adults.
We have a fruit punch recipe that has sorbet in it. It is very tasty. The kids love it.—Rachel
Hot chocolate. Makes me think of Santa. 🙂
I just read a delicious recipe for Glögg (the Scandinavian mulled wine) so I will try that along with a special eggnog. A couple years ago I found a site devoted to all kind of eggnog, and ever since I made a different recipe from there, they all turned out delicious 😀 But other than that I am in charge of making the mulled wine in the family and I have become wuite the expert at it (it’s really not that hard lol 😉 So plenty of delicious alcoholic beverages once the holidays roll around 😉
Thank you for the giveaway Vanessa!
Thanks for stopping by, Stella!
I haven’t read Vanessa Kelly but I might give her a try now!
Thanks, Kathleen!
I used to make an eggnog recipe, but my husband isn’t a fan, so I don’t do that anymore. So no special beverage anymore.
Hiya Vanessa and Cynthia! 😀
My favorite drink at X-mas time is champange with organe juice or a glass of rose wine 🙂
Kind Regards,
Michelle Louise Pratley
Scotland
michellelouisepratley@yahoo.co.uk
We have a “Trader’s Punch” recipe that is alcohol free but heavy on fruit juice that we all like – it tastes like there’s something in it but there isn’t…lol…We also like to do the eggnog with a bit of brandy or rum. Thanks for the giveaway!
No beverage recipe. My mother and step father once gave me this drink that stole my breath with the alcohol in it. I’m not into alcohol drinks.. so I pretended to drink it to save their feelings…
My favorite holiday beverage is eggnog. My kids’ too!
In our home, eggnog = Christmas! For the adults, we add a splash of Kahlua or spiced rum. My sister is going to be providing a Christmas wine this year; she says you warm it before serving. I’m looking forward to trying it, but I don’t think it’ll take the place of my Kahlua and eggnog! 🙂
I live in Spain so its Sangria for special occasions here
p.winmill@hotmail.com
Hi Vanessa! I’m going to have a fangirl moment! I love your books!!! I have your first three books and loved them. I haven’t had the chance to even buy His Mistletoe Bride yet, it’s on the top of my TBR (and bought) list! How great was Sex and the Single Earl?!? I just loved Hardball. I can’t wait to read Bigger than Beckham 🙂 Thank you soo much for being here today and letting me have my little “moment”. lol
I love making home-made hot chocolate for the holidays for my family! I search the internet for recipes and try all different ones! Now that my children are old enough, they can help me measure and mix the ingredients. It’s lots of fun.
Happy Holidays!
Julie K
kornhsl@yahoo.com
Julie, you have absolutely made my day – thank you!! I’ll be sure to tell my hubby that you enjoyed Hardball. And, yes, Sex And The Single Earl was a lot of fun to write! Thanks so much for the fangirl moment!!
I love egg nog. And not any egg nog. It has to be Promised Lands Dairy. Their milk is so thick and creamy it coats the glass.
Everyone enjoy the holidays and your holiday drinks.
my fav holiday beverage is the obligatory apple cider. Though that wassail sounds tasty.
My favorite beverage during the holidays is probably warm apple cider. We start to have it in the Midwest around Halloween, but in our family we continue to have it through the winter months. Hot chocolate also tops the list! I have been seeing His Mistletoe Bride around the web world so I should go check it out I think! Thanks!
Thanks, Amy!
As a librarian, I rely on Booklist ALOT, so I’m glad to see your mention in there. The cover on His Mistletoe Bride is lovely. I am a big fan of hot toddies–my version of warmed apple cider with brandy and spices (cinnamon and cloves). I also like hot cocoa, with marshmallows and whipped cream–and sometimes with a splash of Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Hi Catherine! I love librarians and I love Booklist – they’ve been very good to me.
I love egg nog but I don’t have a recipe for it.
My favorite beverage anytime is a Caramel Mocha Martini – -yummy!!
My favorite drink is cranberry gingerale. I buy tons of it so it can last longer than the holidays.
Eggnog, heavy on the spiced rum 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing Miss Vanessa and it is nice to meet you! You are a new to me author thanks to Miss Cynthia. I look forward to checking your books out. In regards to the holiday beverage of choice, we may apple cider!! So warm and yummy with cinnamon sticks! Bring on the cold days here in Texas!!
Thank you so much, Rana!
Hot chocolate. There is a big light display called Christmas in the Park. We stop and load up on hot chocolate then go see the lights listen to Christmas music. And at the end you get Russell Stovers chocolates. We usually do it a couple times a year
My favorite is Glögg, non-alcoholic variety.
Spiced eggnog
For me it is hot chocolate with some Bailey’s, YUM 🙂
Hot chocolate is wonderful during the holidays. It keeps me warm and is tasty, too.
Cranberry juice with ginger ale is my favorite Christmas time drink. Loooking forward to reading this latest book.
Love the look of the new book cover! I quite enjoy a spiced tomato juice!
It is beautiful, isn’t Lianne?
i haven’t read any of her books yet—but i plan to now!!!!
Thanks, Tammy!
We have a special punch (canada dry, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice) I never drink them individually but somehow together they are awesome. Sounds like a great book, I love regency period novels
I would have to say hot chocolate.
Favorite beverage during the holidays is hot chocolate with LOTS of marshmallows!
ehaney578 at aol dot com
I love me some eggnog around the holidays. It has to be a really special occasion for me to spike it though.
I drink hot chocolate a lot during the holiday season even the flavored ones like peppermint.
I don’t have a favorite holiday drink anymore. My grandmother used to make eggnog but that recipe left with her last year. I’ve never had any that compared to hers.
Thank you.
Growing up we always had homemade eggnog.. and I never did enjoy it. I always love a nice hot chocolate with a little shot of either kaluha or chambord, depending on my mood, and lots of marshmellows…
I am not one for drinks… my father enjoys eggnog… at dinner my family will have some Holiday wine…
My favorite holiday beverage is my moms vodka strawberry slush she makes. It is sooooo good and a family tradition. As the family grows she has to make more every year.
I love to have hot, mulled, spiced cider this time of year. It’s soooo good!
Egg nog hands down! I also really enjoy Starbuvks different types of holiday drinks. I love this time of year! Especially with a little rum in the egg nog. Mmmmm!
I also enjoy spiked egg nog, Yum!!!
I love Egg nog but my favorite has to be mulled wine… I have a raspberry mead wine i use and it is so good… Also make a german recipe which is perfect for a warming up on a cold night… I won’t tell you how i make it cause my grandma and great grandma would rise out of their graves and beat me not to mention my momma… family secret and all.
I love coffee, so sometime during Christmas time, I love an Irish coffee..I love your books, but haven’s yet got your “His mistletoe Bride”. Thans for your giveaway!
Thanks, Nicole!
My favourite Christmas beverage is eggnog.
Well, i don’t have a favorite holiday drink! My husband is fond of egg nog, tho. (I can’t stand the stuff!!) Your book sounds just wonderful.
Thank you, Martha!
Happy release day Vanessa!!! My favorite holiday drink is eggnog!
Thanks, Timitra! I like eggnog, too!
I like to make a warm spiced cider with brandy for the holidays. I want to try making a warm spiced wine this year though. 🙂
I have never had wassail but now I have the song stuck in my head. lol Congrats on the new release!
Thanks, Crystal!
Hot chocolate to keep warm and cherry Pucker and squirt to um keep warm lol
Lisa B
Love your blurb Vanessa!
Egg Nog with a splash of Black Label Jack Daniel’s. Good and Relaxing. I’m going to have to get His Mistletoe Bride. This sounds great and a new to me author is an added bonus.