posted on February 2, 2018 by Leslie Hachtel

Almost Valentine’s Day

Hi. My name is Leslie Hachtel and I write romance novels. Why? Well, I could come up with a lot of reasons, but the truth is…I love ‘love’ and a happy ending. There is nothing better in the universe. As simple as that. And, who doesn’t like a good love story? Okay, there are probably some people who don’t, but I haven’t met them yet.

So, since it’s nearly the holiday for love, let’s examine how Valentine’s Day began:

Actually, Valentine’s Day started as a form of rebellion. Emperor Claudius II (210-270 A.D.) ordered Roman men not to marry during wartime. Claudius didn’t want his soldiers distracted. Saint Valentine went against the emperor’s wishes and performed secret weddings. So this day originated when a priest rebelled against his ruler. Claudius ordered Valentine beheaded, so Saint Valentine died for love in the truest sense.

It was Henry VIII, that great lover of women, who declared by Royal Charter, in 1537, that Valentine’s Day was to be a public holiday and he chose February 14th as the official day to celebrate.

If you go back to the Middle Ages, Valentine’s Day was very different. Single young men and women drew names from a bowl to determine who would be their valentine. The man would then take the woman’s name and pin it to his sleeve for a whole week. Hence—wearing your heart on your sleeve.

Red roses have been associated with love since ancient Rome, since it was said to be the favorite flower of Venus, the goddess of love.

Today, practically the whole world knows about this holiday and most of the world celebrates it in some way or other. If nothing else, it brings ‘love’ to mind and what a wonderful thing to think about. And, if you need some help, pick up a romance novel or two to get you in the proper mood.

So here’s to love in every form, but especially to loving yourself.

Love, Leslie

___________________________________

THE DANCE SERIES

Four friends. Four adventures. Four love stories.

The Dream Dancer
Lady Bryce can enter dreams and persuade her will onto others. It has served her well, especially in eliminating unsatisfactory suitors of her father’s choosing. But when she encounters Lord Rowland she decides to visit him in his sleep and make him desire her above all others. When she has driven Rowland to the edge of longing, she extracts a promise that he will marry her. But will their love be able to conquer all once Bryce’s secret is revealed?
(originally published February 2016 in trade paperback and September 2017 in trade paperback and eBook)

Emma’s Dance
Headstrong Emma of Ashford is marrying Lord Alan, the man of her dreams, when her wedding is interrupted. A woman claims to be his long lost betrothed. But is she truly the woman thought dead since she was a child? Emma gains aid in a visit from a ghost, but is this spirit the long dead Carlyn who has come to help Emma declare the other woman an imposter? Or just another deception? Can Emma and Alan’s love be saved?
(originally published July 2016 in trade paperback and and eBook)

The Jester’s Dance
The Lady Margaret, widowed and lonely, seeks adventure and goes to court disguised as a jester. She falls in love with a handsome Scotsman, Seth, who enlists her help to rescue his family. Together they must face danger, intrigue, and enemies determined to pull them apart. Can their love survive? Can they?
(originally published March 2017 in trade paperback and and eBook)

A Dance in Time
Lady Grace imagines escaping her cruel husband and miserable life. A portal into the past offers her so much more than she bargained for. Including meeting the man of her dreams whose life is at risk. Can she save him? Can he rescue her?
(originally published November 2017 in trade paperback and and eBook)

      

Leslie Hachtel

Leslie Hachtel

Leslie Hachtel was born in Ohio, raised in New York and has been a gypsy most of her adult life. Her various jobs, including licensed veterinary technician, caterer, horseback riding instructor for the disabled and advertising media buyer have given her a wealth of experiences. However, it has been writing that has consistently been her passion. She sold an episode of a TV show, had a screenplay optioned and has so far produced twelve novels, including nine historicals and three romantic suspense. Leslie lives in Florida with a fabulously supportive engineer husband and her writing buddy, Jakita, a terrier.

https://www.lesliehachtel.com

Leslie Hachtel Contest

Leslie Hachtel is giving away autographed copies of STAY WITH ME to four winners and a $20.00 Amazon gift card to a fifth winner.

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