Author Archives: ggrussell

Readers Event – Passport to Romance October 19th, 2019!

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Passport to Romance is an amazing reader event you don’t want to miss…

Saturday, October 19th, 2019 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Sponsored by the Greater Seattle Chapter of Romance Writers of America at The Westin Bellevue  –  600 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, Washington 98004

 

Gerri will join 40 other authors at a meet and greet event that is open to the public. She’s also presenting two workshop: Using Myth, Legends, and Fairy Tales in Fiction and Launching Multiple Books at Once: Pros and Cons during the conference. For further information check out www.gsrwa.org.

Black Cats: Lucky or Unlucky?

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Black catsI am the owner of four black cats. Or do they own me? I’m never quite sure. Pictured here are Indy and Tye, two brothers we adopted three years ago. In A Temptress In Tartan, a black cat is mistaken as a witch’s familiar.  In the sixteenth century, it was largely believed that  black cats were affiliated with evil because they are  nocturnal and roam at night. They were thought to be supernatural servants of witches, or even witches themselves.
In celebration of my release, I wanted to share a little of the folklore surrounding black cats. Depending on the location and century in which one lived, black cats either symbolized good or bad luck.
In 16th-century Italy, people believed that if someone was sick, he or she would die if a black cat lay on the bed. Today, in Asia and the United Kingdom, a black cat is considered lucky. In Yorkshire, England, it may be lucky to own a black cat, but it’s unlucky to have one cross your path. Completely opposite of that in North America, it’s considered bad luck if a black cat crosses your path, and good luck if a white cat crosses your path.
Other beliefs about black cats that exist around the world today are:
  • To dream of a black cat is lucky.
  • Finding a white hair on a black cat brings good luck.
  • A strange black cat on a porch brings prosperity to the owner.
  • A black cat seen from behind portrays a bad omen.
  • If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune.
  • If a black cat walks away from you, it takes the good luck with it.
Black cats have played a major role in folklore, superstition, and mythology for centuries. Today they are most closely associated with Halloween and used in costuming, decor, and as a party theme.
What do you believe? Lucky or unlucky?

The History of Chamomile Tea

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In Romancing the Laird, my warrior-hero, Reid Douglas, enjoys a cup or two of chamomile tea every day to help him relax and recover from physical fatigue,. Which got me wondering about the history of chamomile tea. Here’s what I discovered.
The name chamomile comes from the Greek word meaning “ground apple.” Records of its use date back to the ancient Roman, Greeks and Egyptians who believed the flowers contained both magical and healing properties.
The ancient Romans battled many plagues, respiratory and other infectious diseases without the aid of modern medicine. This naturally led to using herbs as remedies for disease and to ease the symptoms of skin infections and respiratory diseases. Pliny, the noted physician of the time, is known to have used chamomile to ward off headaches and ease the liver and kidney inflammation. It is likely that chamomile was used for skin conditions and digestive disorders, too. Chamomile flowers were also scattered on the floors at banquets to perfume to the air or burned as incense during sacred rituals.
Like the Romans, the Greeks thought of chamomile as a medicinal herb with healing properties. The Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides used chamomile to heal intestinal, nervous, and liver disorders, and prescribed it for women’s ailments. The ancient Greeks also made garlands from chamomile to fragrance the air.
The ancient Egyptians so revered the chamomile plant that they associated it with their sun god Ra. Egyptians also used chamomile on the skin and probably used it in cosmetics and hair care products as well. It was used in rituals and ceremonies.
Chamomile was considered one of the nine sacred herbs of the Anglo-Saxon and was used ritually to ward off diseases and to promote health.
If you are like me, every spring I get a little congested from the extra pollen in the air. Sounds like I need to make myself a cup of chamomile tea. Will you join me in a cup?

The Witches’ Well

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I always think it’s fun to find out where writers get ideas for their books . . . that one thing that makes them pause and ask the question, “What if . . .?” That’s what happened to me while passing through Edinburgh Castle’s esplanade. I came upon a bronze plaque and a fountain featuring… Continue Reading

PNWA Autograph Party – September 14th, 2018!

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Friday, September 14th, 2018 from 8:30pm to 10:00pm PNWA Writer’s Conference at DoubleTree Hotel Seattle Airport – 18740 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98188 Gerri will join 60 other authors at an Autograph Party that is open to the public. She’s also presenting two workshop: Creating Character Emotion and The Business Side of Romance and Women’s… Continue Reading

New historicals are coming!

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So happy to announce the sale of a new historical romance series set in the Scotland of James I featuring three brothers to Meghan Farrell at Tule Publishing as part of a three-book deal. The series entitled ALL THE KING’S MEN begins with THE KING’S WITCH. More details, especially a publication date, will be coming… Continue Reading

Holiday Book Signing – December 3rd, 2016

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Saturday, December 3rd, 2016 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm Gilman Village Writer’s Cottage, 317 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah (next to The Boarding House restaurant) Looking for the perfect gift for that reader on your Christmas list? Or just a little holiday spirit? Join me, Pam Binder, Sabrina York, Deborah Schneider, Pamela Mohn, Diann Shope, Shirley Smuda… Continue Reading

PNWA Autograph Party – July 29, 2016

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Friday, July 17, 2015 from 8:30pm to 10:00pm PNWA Writer’s Conference at DoubleTree Hotel Seattle Airport – 18740 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98188 Gerri will join 60 other authors at an Autograph Party that is open to the public. She will also be a featured speaker and will be participating in other conference events throughout… Continue Reading