The Romance Reviews

Monday 20 December 2010

A Conversation with Mistletoe


Greetings all, I am Mistletoe. You know me--the green plant with white berries you most often see at Christmas time. My association with Christmas arises because I am an evergreen and will remain green even in the dead of winter, but you can see me all year if you know where to look. Mainly on apple and oak trees.

Most often, people hang me or one of my relatives from chandeliers or above doorways so gentlemen can kiss their sweethearts. Ah, Christmas love. I thoroughly enjoy my role as Christmas matchmaker.

I enjoy it so much, that I am the hero of Linda Banche’s Regency romance, Mistletoe Everywhere. What, you say? How can a plant be a romance hero? Isn’t Sir Charles Gordon the hero? Well, he thinks he is, but my name is in the title, not his. And I have the pivotal role in the story.

In any event, how can the didactic Charles be the hero? He never again wants to see the lovely Penelope because she jilted him. Or so he says. Meanwhile, according to Penelope, Charles withdrew his marriage proposal after she had accepted. While I have no intention of taking sides, something havy cavy is going on.

Although I am best known as a Christmas fertility symbol, I have another persona as the plant of peace. In medieval times, enemies who met under the mistletoe had to lay down their weapons and call a truce for twenty-four hours. This ceasing of hostilities afforded them a chance to talk out their differences rather than resorting to violence.

Can either of my identities help Charles and Penelope? I flatter myself that I am just the plant to do it. As luck, or perhaps, design would have it, I am on the scene as both fertility symbol and plant of peace in Mistletoe Everywhere.

Let me see if I can reunite these erstwhile lovers.

Thank you all,
Mistletoe

As told to Linda Banche
Welcome to My World of Historical Hilarity!
http://www.lindabanche.com
Mistletoe Everywhere Buy Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/mistletoe-everywhere-p-4295.html

6 comments:

Savanna Kougar said...

Yes, Mistletoe, I just know you're up to the task of reuniting lovers.

And, you're a darn good-looking plant.

Lindsay Townsend said...

Hi Mistletoe! A plant of many parts, mysterious and mystical.

I wish you much success in your quest to reunite Charles and Penelope.

Happy growing!

Linda Banche said...

I thank you, Savanna. You are a most discerning woman.

Lindsay, my thanks. Apart from my functions as fertility symbol and plant of peace, what I do best is grow. (wink)

Mistletoe

Lily Harlem said...

Oh, I love Mistletoe, it's so pretty and has so many traditions.

Happy holidays everyone.

Jillian said...

Good luck on your quest to unite these lovers- just don't feed them any of your berries- poisoning them would be a bit too much, yea? This sounds like a great story. Jillian

Linda Banche said...

Lily, thank you so much for your appreciation. Another discerning lady.

Jillian, I would never endanger you humans. My berries are there for a gentleman to pick one when he steals a kiss. And Linda Banche thanks you for your kind words.