Carol Cromlin ~ The Yule Log ~ Guest Post & GIVEAWAY

Today, it's my pleasure to celebrate with Carol Cromlin! She has been named one of the 

BEST BOOKS of 2013 by KIRKUS REVIEWS! 

Congratulations, Carol!!

As part of the celebration, Carol Cromlin has provided us with an excerpt from Fitzwilliam Darcy such I was! She has also offered to giveaway two e-copies of her book. See details below!


The Yule Log

In Jane Austen's day, the celebration of Christmas was a season long event that began with the exchange of gifts on St. Nicholas' Day (December 6^th) and continued right through till 12^th night (January 6^th). Family often travelled many miles to gather; homes were adorned with greenery of all sorts and foods particular to the season were served in great abundance. 

One of the most cherished customs (one that remains today) was the burning of the Yule log. Tradition has it that the burning of the log was a harbinger of what was to be in the coming year. If it burned warm and bright, well past midnight and into Christmas day, it signaled good fortune for the coming year. For a continuous flow of good fortune, the brand, which was a piece of soundly charred wood from the current year's fire would be saved and placed with the kindling the following year.

In this excerpt from Fitzwilliam Darcy such I was, the Yule log is at the centre of the family gathering on Christmas Eve night. Five Christmases have passed since the loss of our hero's mother. During that time, the family has gathered for Christmas at the Fitzwilliam estate. Now it is time the festivities return to Pemberley and you are invited to attend the Darcy family Christmas Eve party. I hope you enjoy it!

The next se’nnight past pleasantly by and on Christmas Eve the Wickhams and a few friends from neighboring estates were invited to attend the festivities, which began just after supper. To allow for the keeping of tradition, the Fitzwilliams had carried with them from Greystone, the brand saved from last year’s Yule fire. Earlier in the day, this had been placed as kindling in the great hearth of the saloon and two footmen had labored to haul in the enormous, rooted oaken stump that was to be this year’s Yule log. Now a roaring blaze brightly illuminated the hearth.