New Year’s Resolutions and an Ancient Roman God

 

January is the month of Janus, the two-headed god of ancient Romans in charge of new beginnings. His two faces gazed in opposite directions so that he could watch the start and the end of each day. With such a momentous job, Janus was the natural choice to usher in the New Year. But the actual first day of the New Year was up for grabs until the Roman Senate settled on January 1. Janus became the god people prayed to for mercy from their enemies and for a prosperous time ahead.

Janus is one of the few Roman gods that has no counterpart in Greek mythology as the Zeus/Jupiter or Hera/Juno duality. Janus was one of the "good gods" who humankind could appeal to for help in everyday life. How Janus became associated with the negative connotation of being hypocritical or deceitful: "two-faced" or "Janus-faced," remains a mystery. God of doors, gateways, beginnings, childbirth, the future and the past, he was often called upon at the start of wars. To show his support, the doors to his temple in the Roman Forum would remain open during wars, while they stayed closed during times of peace.

Beginning the New Year with resolutions is a tradition we are very familiar with. Many people pledge to work on bettering themselves, and vow to stop smoking, lose weight, or give up drinking. The ancient Romans also had resolutions, eager to throw out whatever bad luck they had in the old year and replace it with good luck in the new. They believed in giving New Year's gifts: olive branches from special, sacred trees; gold-covered nuts; or from the wealthy, gold coins of Janus himself.

We in modern times also look forward to a fresh start on January 1 and derive comfort from traditions with our family and friends. Our custom of having parties on New Year's Eve comes from the belief that what people did or ate on January 1 would affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year. What better way to ring in the New Year than celebrating with those you love? Many people still believe in the tradition that if a tall, dark-haired man is the first person to enter their house, they will have good fortune for the entire year. And as for food, black-eyed peas are a requirement to eat on New Year's Day, along with ham or hog jowls, a symbol of prosperity. Some regions consider cabbage as lucky food, donuts as the circle of life, and even rice is considered fortuitous.

Whatever your New Year's resolutions are, may the god Janus be smiling down upon you!

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As January is the perfect month for Susanne Marie Knight's, JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD, this award-winning science fiction romance is now available electronically and in print at: Amazon.com and also electronically at Smashwords.com and Universal Link https://books2read.com/u/mBJwoM.   

Also available electronically and in print is the sequel JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON, at Amazon.com,  and electronically at Smashwords.com and Universal Link https://books2read.com/u/bx9Qj6

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Susanne Marie Knight

http://www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing with a Twist!

2024 In Review!

 

Hello! 2024 turned out to be another banner year! In addition to an epic Science Fiction; a second chance at love Contemporary; and a whimsical time-travel Regency, all three Sedona West novels are now available in one book collection. Very, very cool!

1. THE XENON ADVANTAGE: A dangerous interstellar assignment to colonize a nonterrestrial world forces Naressa to butt heads with a powerful alien leader and a stubborn Terran crewmember.

Decatur Reviews raves: 5 Stars! What in the world is a Xenon Advantage and how can I get it? The easiest way is to read THE XENON ADVANTAGE and enjoy your journey into the vast expanse of interstellar space. Be sure to wear your “blocking cap” to ensure complete privacy! I loved watching our heroine, Naressa, learn how to not only handle her crewmates’ inappropriate thoughts when she doesn’t have her blocking cap on, but also how she grows into the mature woman she’s destined to become. A thoroughly enjoyable read!--

THE XENON ADVANTAGE is available at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRQFYVTN

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1504534

Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/mv9Nll

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CS3NJQ58  Print

2. THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY: The “one that got away” catches up with twice divorced Chris Chambers twenty six years later. Is it too late to have a happily ever after?

Norwood Reviews declares: I’m a sucker for second chance romance stories. Ms. Knight delivers once again in this new contemporary, THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY. We have a couple in their forties who had a bit of a history when they were teens, to finally find themselves together again. Should they take the next step? Will Eric’s adult kids give their blessing? Can Christine overcome her two previous failed marriages? Should she and Eric finally commit? Grab your copy and enjoy the ride! 5 Stars!

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY is available at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWSVK66J

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1531152

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/ml6oE9

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CX6L5DVW Print:

3. YESTERDAY’S TREASURES: A Regency themed photo shoot, a magical wedding dress, and a mysterious “uncle” send Mattie Newcastle back to the past.

Regency Fiction World says: 5 Stars! Another exciting Regency Time-Travel Romance from popular author Susanne Marie Knight. Due to receive her masters from graduate school, Mattie Newcastle has a very bright future ahead of her. However, her life takes a sudden detour when she models as a bride in a period-piece photo shoot. In a blink of an eye, she finds herself in the year 1816, in London, and married to a very aristocratic marquess! How in the world did this happen? Determined to discover the truth, Mattie crosses swords with a voluptuous rival, a badly used new friend, a woebegone Duke, an on-the-shelf lady, a gambling mother-in-law, and a very eager bridegroom, not to mention a pointy-earred... No spoilers! Don’t miss this unique Regency romp!

YESTERDAY’S TREASURES is available at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8ZVT368

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1587406

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/4jpey2

In Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D92BBZX4

4. THE SEDONA WEST MYSTERIES:  Hooray! You asked for this, and now it’s here: the complete set of Sedona West Murder Mysteries.

 About Sedona West:

Recovering from a nasty divorce, Sedona gets more than she bargains for when she moves to the idyllic town of Cozy Haven. Her intention is to piece together her shattered life. But Fate decides to throw major roadblocks in her way. First, the hunky sheriff has his eye on her. Second, a celebrity psychologist tries to get her on his private couch. Third, her disreputable ex husband unexpectedly makes an appearance. And fourth, a Girl-Night party turns into an actual Murder party... with all the guests drugged by sedatives in the wine. Talk about a major hangover! And now, Sedona finds herself under the sheriff’s scrutiny as a possible murder suspect. She had the means, the motive, and the opportunity to kill the deceased so how can she convince everyone that she’s innocent?

THE SEDONA WEST MYSTERIES is available at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJL41V6R

Happy reading to all... no matter what the year! And Happy New Year 2025!

Susanne Marie Knight

http://www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing with a Twist!

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“A Very Special Christmas Present” Short Story

Regency romances are always popular with readers. Perhaps it’s because they recall an elegant era or perhaps it’s the appeal of noblemen and their ladies. Whatever the attraction, I’m heartily glad for it! “A Very Special Christmas Present” began as a submission to a new Regency publishing house. The publisher was conducting a contest for short stories to include in the new print and electronic anthology. The contest rules were simple: set the story around a winter holiday: the parameters between Advent and Twelfth Night. Naturally I chose Christmas!

Happily, my story was one of the seventeen winners. “A Very Special Christmas Present” earned fantastic reviews.

As it happens so often, the publisher had to close its doors and the anthology is no longer available. The rights to “A Very Special Christmas Present” returned to me. Some time passed, and then I received a call from a publisher to submit a short story. I sent in “A Very Special Christmas Present” and it was part of their inventory for many years.

Deidre's only brother was killed in the Napoleonic Wars, so romance is the furthest thing from her mind. However her young "niece"--Cupid's curly-haired accomplice--is determined to give Auntie Dee the best Christmas present ever.

“A Very Special Christmas Present” is now available in my portfolio of books on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com and Universal Link.

Here’s the new cover:

Deidre’s young “niece” is determined to give her Auntie Dee the best Christmas present ever: a husband!

 Amazon.com and Smashwords.com and Universal Link

 Some very special reviews for “A Very Special Christmas Present”:

* FIVE STARS! Fans of the stories set in early nineteenth century England will find this a comfortably familiar world. The setting is completely perfect, from the wonderful home and dedication to needlework, to the holiday plans, and even the focus on marriage. You will enjoy Knight’s clever twist with descriptions--her snow-capped fir trees “huddle” from the cold, and main character Deidre expresses frustration by ‘savagely’ embroidering. Throughout, the phrasing is subtle but delightful. It’s hard to say more without spoiling this one. Full of Christmas charm, Susanne Marie Knight’s A Very Special Christmas Present, would make a very nice present for some lucky romance fan on your shopping list...I will certainly re-read.--Long & Short Reviews.

* This is a most refreshing story. Sometimes we judge too quickly before learning the real truth.--Romance At Heart.

* I didn't want this story to end! More, more, more!--Reader Comment

* This is the best Regency short story I've read.-- Reader Comment

Real life tidbit: Just as our heroine, Deidre Livingston, I dabble in embroidery. Or rather, I used to dabble in embroidery. I enjoyed buying handkerchiefs and then using one as a canvas, embroider a friend or family member’s name to give as a gift. Deidre has far more talent than I ever had!

Scene setup: At a Christmas party, Jeremy Stafford, the Earl of Bainbridge, encounters the intriguing Miss Livingston who rescues him from the consequences of an unplanned sneeze!

Jeremy picked up two glasses of the mulled cider and handed one to Miss Livingston. The pungent aroma of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, tickled his nose even before he drank.

He sneezed. “I beg your pardon.” Reaching for his handkerchief, he came up empty.

Miss Livingston must have realized his dilemma for she searched in her reticule and pulled out a delicate, embroidered cloth. “Please, take mine,” she offered.

Accepting the handkerchief, he marveled at the satin-stitch design and the feminine name of Deirdre stitched upon it. “My thanks, Miss Livingston. I gave mine to that imp of a child. Is this your fine needlework?”

She looked down at the parquet wood floor. Modesty became her. “Yes. I had the pleasure of giving handkerchiefs as Christmas gifts to all Lady Fairmont’s guests.” Her gaze everywhere but on him, she added, “Would you like for me to make one for you, also?”

His response came straight from the heart. “Indeed, if I may, I wish to keep this one. Your name is quite lovely.”

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I hope you enjoy Deidre and Jeremy’s Christmas story. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Happy reading,

 

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

A Puppy For Christmas!

Just look at this adorable puppy!! Wouldn’t you want to see him as a holiday gift?

He’d be no muss, no fuss. Why? Because he’s Yo-Yo, the Yuletide Yorkshire, featured in the Minx Tobin murder mystery series, Case Five: THE YULETIDE YORKSHIRE. (Catchy name, right?)

Minx finds something unexpected under the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, it wasn’t something left by Santa.

Who is Minx Tobin, you ask? Minx is a fitness instructor newly relocated to Los Angeles, California, who has a knack for solving puzzles--puzzles concerning dead bodies. For fun, romance, and... unexpected corpses, follow her adventures in the Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series!

HO, HO, HO... OH!

Home for the holidays, Minx Tobin introduces her parents to her homicide lieutenant, Gabe Harris. Unfortunately for her, her ex-fiancé Jared drops in on them, creating friction. But Jared soon needs Minx's help in the sleuthing department because a gruesome "present" is found under the tree. Once again, Minx is hot on the trail of a desperate killer.

All Gabe wants to do is propose to the woman he loves. Instead, he has to deal with a cast of East Coast characters, including an unexpected murder. Why do dead bodies always seem follow Minx Tobin??

Visit http://youtu.be/EIjQKNbuZWw to see a trailer of this book--with previous cover.

Desert Breeze Publishing previously published all six Minx Tobin novels. The publishing rights are now returned to me and all six books have new covers! PLUS, there is a new novel for the series: THE KILLING KISS.

THE YULETIDE YORKSHIRE has received great reviews including FIVE Stars from Goodreads and 4.5 Stars from Sensual Reads! 

THE YULETIDE YORKSHIRE is available for purchase electronically at Amazon.com, Smashwords.com, Universal Link, and other Internet locations.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from my house to yours!

Susanne

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

2008! Wasn’t it great?

 

The year 2008 produced only one novel, but what a novel! THE WAKEFIELD DISTURBANCE is a delicious blend of paranormal, ghosts, and romantic suspense... and a Dream Realm Finalist!

1. THE WAKEFIELD DISTURBANCE: Award-Winning Regency Romance! A determined young miss, a battle-weary lord, and a reckless masquerade. What will the Earl of Tremaine do when he discovers his page's shocking secret?

Coffee Time Romance Reviews raves: This is an interesting suspense tale with three good main characters. Stuart is a tortured ex-cop who feels responsible for his partner's death. Lara is cursed by her gift and wishes it would go away, and Chrissy is an unwanted and neglected child who befriends the both of them. The rest of the cast add a bit of comic relief. The plot itself is fun to read with elements of suspense, romance and the paranormal. The dialogue is engaging. There is a good amount of suspense and fine love scenes also in this very enjoyable story.

THE WAKEFIELD DISTURBANCE is available at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B086V387F1

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1014102

Universal Link: https:// https://books2read.com/u/mVYRwM

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W6QD5G2 Print

Happy reading to all... no matter what the year!

Susanne Marie Knight

http://www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing with a Twist!

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