What do you really know about #Halloween by Kristin Wallace

So we’re well in to October now, which means full on Halloween prep and pumpkin spice everything. There are many popular Halloween traditions, from carving pumpkins to dressing up in costumes, but do you know the origins and history behind the holiday? 

I decided to look it up...

Origins of Halloween

The origin of Halloween dates back over 2,000 years ago and has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in) in Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom. The Celts celebrated their New Year on November 1^st, which marked the end of summer (and the harvest) and the beginning of winter. October 31^stbecame a night of celebration. On that night it was believed that the spirits of the dead were able to walk the earth. To commemorate the event, the Celts dressed up in costumes and built huge bonfires to burn crops and make sacrifices. When Samhain was over, they re-lit their hearth fires from the sacred bon fire in order to protect their families during the winter. 

The Holiday Evolves

In 8^thCentury, Pope Gregory III designated November 1^st All Saints’ Day or All Hallows Eve, a time to honor all saints and martyrs. The holiday incorporated many of the Samhain traditions, including bonfires, parades and dressing up in costumes. Eventually, All Hallows Eve became known as Halloween. 

The more popular traditions in the US (such as dressing up & trick or treating) didn’t begin to take shape until the second half the 19^thcentury, mostly due to the large influx of Irish immigrants who began arriving in the 1840s. It wasn’t until the 1950s that Halloween evolved into a secular holiday aimed mainly at children.

Check out HistoryChannel.com for more in-depth history of Halloween.

Here is some more Halloween Trivia:

-Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep the spirits and ghosts away on the Samhain holiday. 

-The word witch comes from "wica", an Old Saxon word that means "wise one". The early witches were known for their skills with medicinal herbs.

-It takes an average of 252 licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

-According to the National Confectioner’s Association, more than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year. 

-Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.

-Halloween candy sales in the US average about $2 billion dollars annually.

-Bobbing for apples is thought to have originated from the Roman harvest festival that honors Pamona, the goddess of fruit trees.

-Black cats were once believed to be witch's familiars who protected their powers.

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance, and women’s fiction filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of three best selling series, Palm Cove Tales, Shellwater Key Tales and Covington Falls Chronicles. Her latest release is SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS, 1 of 9 holiday novellas in Sweet Christmas Kisses 5. Available now for only 99cents. 

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A sneak peak at my upcoming holiday romance by Kristin Wallace

Launching a new book never gets old. There is always a buzz of excitement and nerves with each one, even after more than 15 books. This month will see the launch of my latest release, a sweet contemporary holiday romance. It’s part of a holiday box set, Sweet Christmas Kisses 5, which will be here on September 25^th and it's on sale for only 99 cents!

My contribution is SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS, which is part of a new trilogy in my Palm Cove Tales series. It’s the follow-up to The Heiress Games trilogy, which launched this spring. This tale features desperate single mom, Mia Reynolds, the cousin of security expert Damon Grant (who appeared in the Heiress Games books). Mia has been hiding a very big secret about her daughter and now the truth is about to be revealed. 

Second Chance Christmas

A Palm Cove Tale

Ten years ago, Mia Reynolds and Winthrop Barrington spent one magical Christmas together. Until lies and manipulation at the hands of Win’s wealthy family tore them apart and left Mia to raise her daughter Riley on her own. Now, both of them have returned to their hometown of Palm Cove, Florida. Once they uncover the truth about what happened, can Mia and Win rediscover the love they once lost and celebrate a Second Chance Christmas with their daughter?

Here’s a fun excerpt giving you a peak at the moment Mia and Win come face to face for the first time…

Mia eventually left Damon and her daughter Riley, who were hanging up posters in her new room, while she went back to get the last box from her car. 

Serena Douglas met her at the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, you haven’t changed yet?”
            Mia frowned. “Why would I change now? I’ve been moving and there’s still a lot to sort out.”

“Yes, but you can’t conduct an interview looking like that.” Serena wrinkled her nose. “Not the best first impression.”

Mia gaped in astonishment. “What interview?”

“For your new job, of course.” Serena smiled as though she’d done the world a favor.

“What new job?” Mia looked over at her sister for an explanation, since Serena seemed to be speaking in code.

Chloe grinned. “She has a great opportunity lined up for you.”

“She does?” Mia swiveled back toward Serena. “You do?”

“An old friend of mine recently moved back to town to take over his family’s company and he’s in need of a new executive assistant,” Serena said. “The previous one who worked for his grandfather retired, too.”

“And he’s willing to hire me, just like that? No interview or anything?” Mia asked, amazed that a job offer was being laid out on the table so easily. Even more amazing, the job offer came courtesy of Serena Douglas. “Why are you so willing to help me anyway?”

“Why shouldn’t I help you?”

Because it was Serena Douglas, and she never went out of her way to do anything nice. 

Her sister seemed to understand what Mia was thinking because Chloe sidled closer. “I know it’s weird, but just go with it.”

Serena looked over at her. “Why is my job offer weird?”

“You’re not exactly known for your charitable nature,” Chloe said, her voice full of sarcasm.

Serena straightened, her “off with their heads” look in full force. “I’m workingon that, all right?”

Chloe grinned and shook her head. “I know, but you’re gonna have to give the rest of us time to catch up to the new you.”

“This is what I get for trying to be nice,” Serena murmured, before turning to Mia. “Listen, the job offer is real, and yes, he’s willing to hire you. Actually, Win said he knew you, and wanted to help out.”

Mia almost fell over. “Win? As in Winthrop Barrington?”

Serena stared at her in confusion. “Yes, that’s right. You know him? Well, of course, you probably do know who he is. The Barringtons are one of the most prominent families in town. His grandmother’s family is just as important.”

Panic gripped her like a vise. Win Barrington was living in Palm Cove again? He was supposed to be working for some big corporation in New York. That was the only reason she’d agreed to move back home. “I can’t work for him.” 

“Well, why not?” Serena began to look insulted. “You have an objection to a regular paycheck?”

Chloe put a hand on Mia’s arm. “Honey, calm down. Win is a pretty decent guy, for a North-sider, and you know Barrington Enterprises is stable. It’s been around forever.”

“No, you don’t understand,” Mia said. “He’s not supposed to be in Palm Cove anymore.”

“Why do you care if Win Barrington lives here?” Chloe asked. 

“Yes, I don’t know why you’re freaking out,” Serena said. “Anyway, it’s a little late to protest now. He’ll be here any minute to discuss the job.”

This could not be happening. In town less than a day and already disaster was striking. “No, no, no, no!”

The bell above the door jingled and a tall, dark-haired man in an expensive-looking suit strolled into the bakery. Familiar blue-green eyes found hers and the room spun.

“You!” she breathed.

He gave a half-smile and a shrug. “Hello Mia.”

Sweet Christmas Kisses 5…9 holiday tales for only 99 cents!

Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 brings you contemporary romances that celebrate the joy of the season around the world, including snowy Maine and the sun-kissed skies of Florida, the mountains of Colorado to small-town Illinois and Virginia, New York to San Francisco, and even the glittering lights of Paris and the old-world charm of Florence. The Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 bundle features all-new, standalone novellas that will make you smile and warm your heart with the Christmas spirit. 

Pre-order your box set for only 99 cents today!

AMAZON     /       ITUNES      /    BARNES & NOBLE      /    KOBO

Kristin Wallaceis a USA Today bestselling author of inspirational and sweet contemporary romance filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of 3 popular series, Covington Falls Chronicles, Shellwater Key Tales and The Heiress Games (Palm Cove Tales). For more info on her books visit Kristin Wallace Author.