Light Magic by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

Candlelight, in all its glorious forms, is something we rarely think about. Unless it's February with Valentine's Day. Or, if you’re a romance author like me. I imagine romantic candlelight is present in many of our Gem’s books. I know it’s in all of mine. Because candles, and what I call "light magic," play vital roles in our everyday lives.

Think about it for a moment. How many important life events are marked by candlelight? You count the candles on birthday cakes and make special wishes. Set a mood for romance. Light symbolic unity candles at weddings. Mark passing, offer prayers, invoke ritual, meditate, and celebrate both religious and secular holidays. The list goes on. From living places to sacred spaces around the globe, candles light our way through darkness.

Winter months are when most use candles. According to the National Candle Association, approximately 35% of all candle sales occur during the holiday season. It’s no coincidence. Those are the shortest days of the year when many long for comfort and hope. This goes back to ancient times and seasonal celebrations, when the need to light the darkest of nights was great.

The dawn of electric lighting relegated candles to the realm of “special occasions,” but not always. Experience one prolonged power outage and tell me candles have no place in modern times, aside from being pretty. We burned through every candle we owned as a result of one New England ice storm! However, I use candles year-round, because I love the ambiance they create. My family continues the holiday tradition of lighting battery operated/electric candles in our home's windows, right on through the year. It makes me happy to see those flickering lights each night, even in summer. And, don't get me started on the importance of candles at Halloween!

If you worry about fires (I do sometimes with three rambunctious dogs, or maybe you have young children) there are wonderful flameless alternatives. High-end flameless candles employ moving “flames” and can be made of genuine wax. They also come with remotes and scent options. Fantastic! I use them often and find it fun to watch the reaction if someone discovers, “Hey, they’re not real!”

Here are some links if you also enjoy candlelight:

Visit my author Pinterest board titled “Light Magic” for more visuals.

Did you know the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles was sometimes lit by as many as 20,000 candles? Can you imagine what that was like? The light movement and shadows? The heat they generated? The scents from all that burning wax and the smoke? Amazing! According to Just for Fun Facts, on special occasions that legendary space was transformed into a “corridor of light.” There’s stunning YouTube video of Versailles lit by LED lights to simulate such candlelight events. Check it out for a gimps of what that may have looked like!

So, flame on, people! I know I will. Thanks for reading!

~ Kathryn

Something special this February!

We're having a party—a ginormous party—to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Romance Gems! We're also celebrating Valentine's Day all month long. After all, we are romance authors.

Our celebration features a Rafflecopter with Amazon Gift Cards. Plus, don't miss our Valentine's Day Book Fair filled with the kinds of books you love best. Open every day in February!