Hello, gentle reader, and welcome to the second annual British Blooms and Books giveaway! This week, we’d like to celebrate the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. After enjoying this post, please visit each of the other five authors’ blogs (links provided below) and, after a bit of reading fun, follow one simple instruction and then leave a comment on each blog. You’ll be entered to win a fabulous, British Blooms and Books prize. (US winners only, please, due to shipping the petit fours.) Enjoy, and thank you for stopping by!
Victorian Flower Language
The Victorian Era was one in which people considered themselves strictly held to moral standards – especially between the sexes. It was a time when young women were often accompanied by a mother, aunt, or another appropriate chaperone, and private conversation was not always possible. Expensive gifts were not given until a person was engaged to be married, and affections were not openly expressed early in courtship – at least not where others could see or hear. Not to be dissuaded, our romantic Victorians found other—perhaps more charming—ways to express their affections.
The language of flowers allowed men and women to say things, quietly, that society would not allow them to say aloud. Here are five of my favorites that were favorites then, too:
Roses: A white one said, “I am worthy of you.” Perhaps this would be sent after a romantic partner was suspected of courting more than one woman.
Tulips: A red tulip, sent, was a bold declaration of love. There would be no wondering if there were marital intentions after the receipt of a bouquet of such!
Carnations: A red one said, “Alas! For my poor heart!” Take pity on the man. Give him another chance.
Purple Lilacs: The first declaration of love. Imagine the thrill when these heady blossoms arrived to perfume the room and announce the affection you’d hoped to hear!
Oleander: This flower meant … beware. Oh! Who would send such a warning? It has my gothic mind turning toward the next mystery…
Tea hats photo courtesy of Divine Delights
Giveaway Rules: One grand prize winner who comments on each of the six authors’ blogs and agrees to the one boldfaced condition posted at the end of each post will win a signed copy of each of the books plus delivery of six English hat petit fours to enjoy while you read! Name will be drawn via random.org
To enter my giveaway, Please sign up for my newsletter (if you’re already signed up, just let me know in the comments).
Finished? Well done! Please visit these other fabulous authors of England-set historicals to see what flowers mean to them and their heroines.
on May 23rd at 12:28 pm
I’ve signed up for your newsletter. I find that interesting about the flowers. I didn’t know that. Subtle yet not in some ways to make declarations. 🙂
on May 23rd at 1:00 pm
I love the meaning of flowers, I think it is super interesting and I wish this was more widely known and used.
on May 23rd at 1:11 pm
I love symbolism! I wonder who taught them these rules, or who came up with them in the first place and made them a widespread thing.
on May 23rd at 2:13 pm
What a wonderful giveaway. I am already a subscriber to your newsletter.
on May 23rd at 2:21 pm
Such a great list of authors, and I look forward to reading ALL of these books!
on May 25th at 5:52 pm
Already a subscriber.
on May 23rd at 2:27 pm
Signed up for your newsletter. I haven’t read any of your books, but look forward to in the future>
on May 23rd at 2:33 pm
I don’t believe I’ve read your books. Would love to!
on May 23rd at 2:51 pm
I’m signed up!
on May 23rd at 2:51 pm
I am already signed up for your newsletter. Thanks for the chance to win.
on May 23rd at 2:52 pm
Love your newsletter!
on May 23rd at 2:55 pm
Already on the newsletter mailing list – and so enjoy reading it when it comes!
on May 23rd at 2:55 pm
Love your books and have been subscribed to your newsletter for a while now 🙂
on May 23rd at 2:59 pm
I am signed up for your newsletter! I love these authors and this time period/ setting! Bravo girls!
on May 23rd at 3:03 pm
I enjoyed reading about flowers meanings.. I am subscribed 🙂
on May 23rd at 3:12 pm
All these books sound so great!
on May 23rd at 3:29 pm
Already signed up. Would love to win.
on May 23rd at 3:56 pm
Colors of roses are such fun to research! 🙂
Just signed up.
on May 23rd at 3:57 pm
I’m signed up already to your newsletter. I love your books. Thanks for writing them.
on May 23rd at 5:31 pm
Hey! Lol I go by Elly Cox, but my “Elly” is a nickname derived from Elizabeth. So hello, fellow “Elly” Cox! 😉
on May 23rd at 3:59 pm
Just signed up for your newsletter. What an interesting language flowers were!
on May 23rd at 4:33 pm
I’m signed up. The flower language is so fascinating!
on May 23rd at 4:41 pm
I have always loved the secret language of love and dream of one day having that someone special send me that special bouquet!
on May 23rd at 4:46 pm
Your book looks so mysterious! I’m excited to read it. Your website is very beautiful! I love the pictures!
on May 23rd at 4:54 pm
I just signed up for your e-postcard mailing list and should already be signed up for you email list. Thank you.
on May 23rd at 5:17 pm
Signed up for your newsletter. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading this one! Rachael Merritt
on May 23rd at 5:17 pm
I receive the newsletter!
on May 23rd at 5:26 pm
I am already signed up for your newsletter. Looking forward to reading A Lady in Disguise.
on May 23rd at 5:32 pm
I’ve never read any of your books, but they sound interesting
on May 23rd at 5:36 pm
I’m subscribed to your newsletter. I knew that differently flowers meant different things, but I didn’t know what the different ones meant. I’ve also heard that the way a boquet is arranged can have different meanings.
on May 23rd at 5:37 pm
Already signed up. Thank you
on May 23rd at 5:37 pm
I’ve been signed up! This is such a wonderful giveaway! Thank you!
on May 23rd at 5:52 pm
Signed up! What’s fun topic!
on May 23rd at 5:53 pm
WOW, that was so interesting. I had no idea that flowers meant so much.
Oh and i am already signed up for your newsletter
on May 23rd at 6:17 pm
Very interesting story behind the flowers…I have already signed up for your newsletter….
on May 23rd at 6:29 pm
I’ve signed up for your newsletter. The meanings of the flowers is so interesting. Were they all written down somewhere or did the men have to memorize them all, so they didn’t accidentally send the wrong message? Seems like a convoluted way to get the message across.
on May 23rd at 6:47 pm
I receive your newsletter. Flowers are such lovely joy, you can hold it in your hands, and that is a rare thing indeed. I enjoyed your post!
on May 23rd at 7:00 pm
I’m pretty sure that I’m already signed up for your newsletter, but I did it again just to be sure! 😉
I find the language of flowers to be fascinating. I wonder who got to assign meaning to each flower! The history of it is intriguing to me.
on May 23rd at 7:00 pm
Signed up for your newsletter! I love all flowers but I find the meanings of the different colored roses so interesting. But even so I love all the colors. The first Easter I was dating my now husband, he brought me a bouquet of all color roses he had grown in his yard!
on May 23rd at 7:00 pm
Signed up…flowers
on May 23rd at 7:37 pm
Happily, I do receive your newsletter so please enter me into the drawing. I recently finished :A Lady in Disguise” and loved it. I can’t wait for the next book. Well done and Huzzah to you Sandra!!!
on May 23rd at 7:49 pm
I’m already signed up for your newsletter. I’m interested in everything historic, including the intricacies of how to talk without talking.
on May 23rd at 7:53 pm
I went to everyone’s link but for some reason I was not able to comment on Roseanna White’s page. I typed the comment but could not choose a profile to publish the comment….
on May 23rd at 8:23 pm
I subscribe to your newsletter. Thanks!
on May 23rd at 8:30 pm
Secret meanings are fascinating. I read they did them back in Elizabethan days as well.
on May 23rd at 9:06 pm
Already signed up. It’s interesting to look at the meanings of our favorite flowers and maybe rethink a favorite if the meaning isn’t so wonderful.
on May 23rd at 9:29 pm
I didn’t know about all the meanings behind flowers at that time! how cool!
on May 23rd at 10:01 pm
Thank you for sharing the meaning of these flowers. I subscribe to your newsletter.
on May 23rd at 10:03 pm
This was such a cool way to say the flowers….flowers are my passion…and reading Christian fiction.
This book looks Devine.!!!
on May 23rd at 10:08 pm
I’m already signed up.. Love your books, Sandra.
on May 23rd at 10:08 pm
I have not read any of your books YET! I just signed up for your newsletter. Thank you for the chance to win, and I look forward to reading your books!
on May 23rd at 10:27 pm
I would love to win a copy of each of these books.
on May 23rd at 10:50 pm
I love the info about the meaning of the flowers. It’s been touched on in a few books I’ve read set in that time period, but I’ve always wanted to know a little bit more. Thanks for sharing. I’m already subscribed to your newsletter.
on May 23rd at 11:15 pm
It is always interesting to me when I find out the meaning of flowers.
Subscribed to newsletter.
on May 23rd at 11:22 pm
Thanks so much for this awesome giveaway! That was so cool about the meanings of flowers, and very interesting. Thanks!
~Megan
on May 23rd at 11:23 pm
Pity the man who sends carnations! LOL Thanks for the humorous meanings of flowers. I’m signed up for your newsletter!
on May 23rd at 11:47 pm
I am already signed up for your newsletter. I didn’t know about lilacs –they are one of my favorites, even more so now! Thanks for the giveaway.
on May 23rd at 11:51 pm
I signed up for your newsletter. I love your books!
on May 24th at 12:04 am
How lovely! I’m subscribed to your newsletter (thats how I found out about this beautiful giveaway).
on May 24th at 12:05 am
Thank you for a wonderful contest!
on May 24th at 12:16 am
I enjoyed learning about the flowers. Thank you!
on May 24th at 12:23 am
Thank you for a wonderful giveaway. I receive your newsletter
on May 24th at 12:24 am
Signed up for your newsletter. Didn’t know about the communication with flowers during the Victorian era. So fascinating.
on May 24th at 12:27 am
What a fun giveaway, with books all in my favorite genre too! I subscribed to your newsletter.
on May 24th at 12:33 am
Hi Sandra! I’m already a newsletter subscriber. I’ve always wanted to know more about flower language.
on May 24th at 12:47 am
I am signed up for your newsletter. I find the meaning of the flowers very interesting 😉
on May 24th at 12:51 am
I am already subscribed to your newsletter. Thanks for the fun giveaway.
on May 24th at 12:53 am
Would love to win to read these lovely stories! -Anna Hargis
on May 24th at 12:57 am
Woot! I am excited to read your books.
on May 24th at 1:23 am
Thank you for a chance to join your email list. I look forward to hearing from you.
on May 24th at 1:31 am
I have subscribed to your newsletter. Thank you for a chance to win such great prizes.
on May 24th at 1:34 am
I’ve always thought this subject is so interesting! Love your books! Thanks for the giveaway!
on May 24th at 1:36 am
So interesting about the language of flowers! Your book sounds great! Can’t wait to read it. I signed up for your newsletter. Thank you for the fun giveaway.
on May 24th at 1:44 am
Signed up. Thanks for sharing these meanings of flowers, very interesting!
on May 24th at 2:40 am
Love the meaning of what each flower stands for! This reminds me of being in school and receiving flowers on valentine’s day, with the colors of each flowers meaning something different! I signed up for your newsletter!
on May 24th at 2:43 am
I’ve signed up for your newsletter! I find the story behind flowers fascinating. I’ve heard before they have different meanings, so to be able to read a novel about this would be great!
on May 24th at 2:57 am
Thanks for the chance to win these books! 🙂
on May 24th at 2:59 am
I love what flowers can say!
on May 24th at 3:19 am
Thanks, Sandra! I just signed up for your newsletter and I love the language of flowers! I’m looking forward to learning more!
on May 24th at 3:19 am
I signed up for your newsletter.
on May 24th at 3:38 am
thank you for the giveaway!
on May 24th at 4:13 am
I am already signed up for your news letter. The blog was a great reminder that flowers often convey more than what is said.
on May 24th at 5:08 am
Signed up for newsletter. Would love to read your book. Thank you
on May 24th at 5:26 am
So glad no one has ever sent me an oleander! 🙂 I’m already receiving your emails. Thanks for an opportunity to win!
on May 24th at 7:35 am
Signing up for your newsletter. Love the beauty you see and express so well!
on May 24th at 8:11 am
Newsletter subscriber. Love flowers and their meanings. Thx for the chance!!!
on May 24th at 8:24 am
Thank you for the giveaway! Looking forward to reading this book.
on May 24th at 10:12 am
I love your books! They are amazing!!!
on May 24th at 11:13 am
Very interesting to read about the implied messages of flower giving. And I’m curious about the Oleander. Sounds very Heathcliff-esqu.
on May 24th at 11:46 am
Thank you for the flower lesson – very interesting. I would love to read your book!
on May 24th at 12:28 pm
I signed up for your newsletter 🙂 Thank you for participating in this giveaway 🙂
on May 24th at 12:41 pm
The information about the flower meaning is very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
on May 24th at 12:48 pm
So interesting to find out the history behind certain flowers! Beware the oleander!
on May 24th at 12:57 pm
I have read a little bit about the Flower Language over the years. I love the idea of it! I am definitely an old soul in a new world. Signed up for your newsletter and look forward to it.
on May 24th at 1:40 pm
I’m all signed up. Thank you. ( :
on May 24th at 2:17 pm
Signed up for your newsletter. You’re book sounds so interesting!
on May 24th at 3:17 pm
Already signed up. Very interesting flower facts!
on May 24th at 3:25 pm
DELIGHTFUL Victorian flower language information!!!
on May 24th at 3:28 pm
I am already subscribed. What a lovely way to send messages, with the color and scent of flowers! We need more flowers in our lives, their colors, scents and beauty feed something in our souls.
on May 24th at 5:04 pm
Enjoyed your newsletter! Love flowers!
on May 24th at 7:22 pm
Thanx for the giveaway!!!!! I am a subscriber to your newsletter and follow you on Facebook. I really enjoyed A Lady in Disguise. What a delightful story.
on May 24th at 7:46 pm
You are an amazing author
on May 24th at 8:35 pm
All signed up! Thanks so much for participating!
on May 24th at 8:43 pm
Thank you for this opportunity to enter the contest. England and Scotland are two countries I find fascinating and would love to visit. At times I wish our society held some of their ideas about courtship.
on May 24th at 9:33 pm
Looking forward to reading your books! Just signed up for your newsletter too.
on May 24th at 9:48 pm
What a great collection of books! Thanks for the giveaway!
on May 24th at 10:38 pm
I signed up for your newsletters several weeks ago as part of another giveaway. How interesting about the flowers! Thanks for a great giveaway!
on May 24th at 11:20 pm
Early on in our relationship my now husband often brought me flowers. Not so much anymore, but I did get some lovely roses recently from him for my birthday!
I signed up for your newsletter
on May 24th at 11:28 pm
I love learning about the secret language of flowers, and have signed up for your newsletter! 🙂
on May 24th at 11:29 pm
Can’t wait until I read your latest! I have always been intrigued by the meanings behind flowers. I started researching this very thing, wound up finding out the history behind orchids and then wrote the draft of my first novel. Now, I just have to get around to editing it. LOL! Thank you for being able to share the love of flowers! Blessings, Leslie S. Lowe
on May 24th at 11:32 pm
P.S. I signed up for your newsletter again and the postcard sign-up!
Leslie S. Lowe
on May 25th at 1:47 am
I am subscribed to your newsletter. Thank you for the post on the meaning of the flowers!
on May 25th at 2:14 am
I’m signed up for your newsletter. The language of flowers is fascinating. You’d certainly have to be careful to send the right message. You couldn’t just send flowers that you thought were beautiful without checking out their meaning. I always enjoy your books.
on May 25th at 3:43 am
I have signed up for your newsletter!!! 🙂
on May 25th at 7:11 am
subscribed
on May 25th at 11:30 am
I just signed up for your newsletter! Thanks for participating in this giveaway and sharing the information about the meaning of the flowers! 😊
on May 25th at 2:49 pm
I signed up, that is very interesting the meaning behind a flower. I just wondered who is it that decided that?
on May 25th at 4:18 pm
I loved your naming flowers and telling what each one means. So precious. Now I will look at flowers with a dearer heart…tho i have always loved them. I can’t wait to read your books.
on May 25th at 5:46 pm
Keep writing, you do a great mystery mixed with romance!
on May 25th at 6:00 pm
I subscribed. I use to know the offers t meanings of flowers but no one
really uses them anymore. So sad
on May 25th at 6:11 pm
Excited about this giveaway! 🙂
on May 25th at 6:15 pm
I’m looking forward to reading your book.
on May 25th at 6:37 pm
I loved reading about the meaning behind flowers. I had never heard of oleander, so that was new to me! I’d love to read your books!
on May 25th at 6:52 pm
Oh, I love the idea of the lilacs! They’re so fragrant. I’m DEFINITELY already a subscriber!
on May 25th at 6:58 pm
I didn’t know the languages of flowers. Carnations are my favorite, and its description made me laugh! Great and intriguing writing!
on May 25th at 7:22 pm
Sandra I believe I am already on your mailing list. I love your books.
on May 25th at 7:57 pm
I’ve signed up for your newsletter.
on May 25th at 8:06 pm
Entered.
on May 25th at 8:07 pm
I’ve heard of the Victorian flower language before. The books look great.
on May 25th at 8:34 pm
I subscribed to your newsletter and thanks for this awesome giveaway!
on May 25th at 10:31 pm
The flower symbolism is so interesting.
on May 26th at 1:00 am
I am on your newsletter list Sandra. This is such an interesting post. I didn’t know the meanings of some of the flowers. I would love to receive purple lilacs. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
on May 26th at 1:09 am
The language of flowers is totally fascinating. Woe to the man whose florist mixed up the bouquets!
I’m signed up for your newsletter. Thank you so much for this fun British Blooms and Books Giveaway.
Mary Kay
on May 26th at 1:37 am
I did subscribe and this is an awesome giveaway! The language of flowers has sadly gone by the wayside. I’d love to see it return again.
on May 26th at 3:24 am
I’m already a newsletter subscriber and enjoyed your description of flowers and their significance in a romance. I’m looking forward to reading your book–A Lady in Disguise.
on May 26th at 5:38 am
I signed up for your newsletter. I’m looking forward to reading all of these great books!
on May 26th at 5:42 am
Signed up for your newsletter. Very much enjoyed the information on the flowers. Look forward to the devotional.
on May 26th at 3:29 pm
Oh, I love the flower language tidbit! My mom always had an Oleander bush in her yard. Hmmmm…. 🙂
I signed up for your newsletter.
on May 26th at 3:36 pm
I signed up! I can’t wait to read this!!!
on May 26th at 4:24 pm
I just subscribed! This is an awesome giveaway! Your books sound wonderful! I have been looking for new authors to read.
on May 26th at 4:27 pm
Great giveaway, just signed up!
on May 26th at 4:36 pm
I have already signed up! Thank you Sandra for this giveaway!
on May 26th at 4:42 pm
I’m already signed up for your newsletter! Thank you for the giveaway!
on May 26th at 4:52 pm
The language of flowers is brilliant – we humans find creative ways to express our emotions, even when society strives to prevent us. I look forward to receiving your newsletter. Thank you for participating in this generous giveaway.
on May 26th at 5:03 pm
subscribed to newsletter
on May 26th at 5:32 pm
Love your books!!! This one looks amazing!!
on May 26th at 5:34 pm
I signed up!
on May 26th at 6:35 pm
I’m excited to read this book!
on May 26th at 8:20 pm
I just signed up for your newsletter. Thanks for the giveaway!
on May 26th at 10:07 pm
I subscribed to your newsletter but said I opted out. We took a Holland America cruise many years ago and as you entered one of the bars there was a bronze statue of a beaver. The face was angry with bared teeth. Did not really look like a beaver. The artist was from England and said she had never seen a beaver and so used a picture. It was a topic of talk.
on May 26th at 10:43 pm
I signed up and am so excited. Thank you for this great information and this great giveaway!
on May 26th at 10:48 pm
I signed up! That’s really interesting about lilacs. They are one of my favorites but I never knew what they stood for.
on May 26th at 11:01 pm
very interesting about the flowers! Something I would love to learn more about
on May 27th at 1:26 am
I’ve signed up for your newsletter and look forward to hearing more about your upcoming novels.
on May 27th at 1:41 am
Whew, it took some work signing up for this newsletter. The sign up page would not load properly for me in Chrome.
on May 27th at 1:59 am
I just signed up and I look forward to exploring your website and reading your books.
I love the symbolism of the flowers you described. Thank you for sharing your research.
on May 27th at 3:16 am
Loved learning about the flowers. I had no idea about the white rose!
Signed up for your newsletter.
on May 27th at 3:17 am
We still use the meaning of flowers today with red roses. So much so that when my husband brought flowers on our first date, he knew not to bring red roses because he didn’t want to appear too forward by declaring his love!
on May 27th at 4:15 am
I signed up for your newsletter. Thanks.
on May 27th at 2:28 pm
Loved A Lady In Disguise. I love flowers and their meaning. Signed up for your newsletter.
on May 27th at 4:22 pm
Has flower symbolism changed over the years? Is there still a standard?
Thank you!
on May 28th at 11:43 am
already subscribe
on May 28th at 12:45 pm
Enjoyed electronic ARC of the book. Would love a paperback to giveaway to a friend. Signed up for the newsletter!
on May 28th at 6:14 pm
Thanks for a chance to win and meet a new author. Just signed up for your newsletter.
on May 28th at 6:22 pm
I love learning the symbolism of the flowers. I signed up for newsletter
on May 28th at 8:44 pm
I always wondered why my hubbies aunt and her daughter have so many purple irises in their gardens. I signed up for your newsletter. Thank you.
on May 28th at 9:38 pm
I signed up for your newsletter. I was already friends with you on Facebook. You have an open invitation to be interviewed on my blog with each new book release.
on Jun 2nd at 5:18 pm
Hello, lovely readers! I’m happy to announce that Tammy Cordery is our lucky winner. She’s been notified and her prizes will be shipped forthwith! Please visit again next month when we’ll have a fun picnic recipe, a little book news, and some historical bookmark giveaways!