Please help me welcome today’s guest, Josie Riviera…
Exploring the fascinating culture of the Romany. (Gypsies)
“Gadje Gadjensa, Rom Romensa.”
This is a Romany (Gypsy) saying that means “Gadje with Gadje, Rom with Rom.”
So what is a gadje? A gadje in the Romany language means “not one of us.” Many Rom prefer to not allow outsiders (us) into their lives. It’s no coincidence that in my hours, days, and months of researching the Romany for Seeking Patience, little information was available. Odd, because the Rom have lived in many places throughout the world for centuries. They’re a widely-traveled people. Yet there is little written history regarding their origins, although recent evidence points to an emigration from India 1500 years ago.
I believe the reason there is little information available is because the Rom simply prefer it that way. They are a proud people who keep to themselves. And they are nomads, forever on the move, traveling by horse and wagon in caravans.
It is no secret that the Rom have suffered persecution, prejudice, exclusion, and discrimination for centuries. The “Gypsy” stereotype includes a criminal, fortune-teller, blacksmith, thief, and musician, a dark-complexioned, shadowy figure. But why do so many of us harbor this unfair prejudice? Perhaps because of the Rom’s nomadic existence, lack of a solid religious belief, and exotic clothes and lifestyle. Their dialect is distinct and related to Sanskrit. Their tradition is oral, for they didn’t have the luxury of building libraries.
One belief shared by all Rom is cleanliness. Mahrime means unclean or polluted. To avoid mahrime, clothes covering the top half of their body are washed separately from clothes on the bottom. Certain parts of the female body are considered unclean, and doctors are sometimes avoided because they deal with illness. And, a Rom can become polluted by being too close to a gadje.
Seeking Patience explores prejudices and how the English viewed the Romany (Gypsies,) in Regency England,
Do you think men or women are more likely to be prejudiced?
Leave your comment below for a chance to win a free copy of Seeking Patience. Winner will be announced by Thursday, August 2nd. In the meantime, subscribe to my newsletter on my website and receive a FREE, HISTORICAL ROMANCE EBOOK NOVELLA!
josieriviera.wordpress.com
https://josieriviera.wordpress.com/
From Alicia: Thank you so much, Josie! I learned a lot of interesting facts. Sounds like your book will be rich with Romany elements. Also, thank you for the giveaway! Now, check out Josie’s release:
Buy links for SEEKING PATIENCE:
Amazon
Itunes/Apple
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1125089890
Nook
Kobo
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/seeking-patience-1
Blurb:
Do people prove their worth by strength, or by character?
Half-Romany, half-English lord, he lives a perilous Gypsy life … until a sweet English rose saves his life, and perhaps his soul. Widowed by a cruel husband, she’s given up all hope of love. Brought together in peril, they dare to reach for a brighter future together.
Luca Boldor, Romany leader, lives a nomad’s life in Regency England with his Gypsy caravan. Believing his noble father abandoned him at birth, he refuses to acknowledge his English blood, or live a settled life. But when a vicious attack by a rival leaves him bleeding on an English lady’s doorstep, he has no choice but to accept her help. Her gentle faith stirs his heart in a way he has long denied.
Lady Patience Blakwell, widowed countess, lives in near poverty. Her husband’s heir uses threats to keep her from demanding her rightful inheritance. With a few faithful servants, she exists quietly in the country, only her faith keeping her strong … until the day a bold, handsome Gypsy collapses in her hall. He’s unlike any man she’s ever known, and she’ll confront any subterfuge to keep him safe.
But when a secret from Lady Patience’s past emerges, Luca must face his own past, or lose her and all hope of love. Will this strong man humble himself to open his heart for his lady?
Travel back to Regency England for this sweet, inspirational romance—get your copy of Seeking Patience today!
Author bio and links:
Best-selling author Josie Riviera writes Historical, Inspirational, and Sweet Romances. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband.They share their empty nest with an adorable Shih Tzu who constantly needs grooming and an old house forever needing renovations.
“Like” her Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Josie.Riviera
https://www.facebook.com/Josie.Riviera/
Connect with her on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010936808977
Sign up for her blog and subscribe to her newsletter on her website to receive a FREE EBOOK: josieriviera.wordpress.com
https://josieriviera.wordpress.com/
Follow her on twitter: @josieriviera
https://twitter.com/Josieriviera
Instagram: josie_riviera
https://www.instagram.com/josie_riviera/
pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/josieriviera/
Author Alicia Dean 
Thanks for hosting me today on your blog!
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My pleasure! I enjoyed your article very much!
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How interesting! Sounds like a great theme for a novel. Good luck and I must say men and women appear equally prejudiced in most areas. It is more a matter of willing to be open-minded than gender-driven.
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Very true. Open-mindedness is the key to overcoming prejudices.
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Congrats! You’ve won a free ebook copy of Seeking Patience, coryellsusan. Please email me at josieriviera@aol.com!
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sounds like a really intriguing book.
good luck and God’s blessings
PamT
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Many thanks, Pam!
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Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing! Also love the covers! Good luck with your books!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Lots of interesting facts – I didn’t know about the India and Sanskrit links. Thanks for sharing the information and best wishes for a successful release.
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Glad you enjoyed the post. And many thanks!
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loved, loved loved the interview with Josie. The Romany culture has always held a particular fascination for me, though I admit my interest lies in the modern Rom, not that of Regency England.The crap they put on TV these days is pure crap!!Thank you, thank you, thank you Ali and Josie!! Kat Henry Doran & Veronica Lynch Celebrating women who trifle with, exceed, or otherwise defy conventional wisdom. http://www.WildWomenAuthorsX2.blogspot.com Available now at the Gift Shop, Fairport Pharmacy, Fairport, NY: Vengeance Is Mine, Try Just Once More & Captain Marvelous
From: Author Alicia Dean To: wildwomenauthors@yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2016 9:28 AM Subject: [New post] Author Josie Rivera on Romany Culture ~ New Release: Seeking Patience Plus a Giveaway! #yiv3967319093 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv3967319093 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv3967319093 a.yiv3967319093primaryactionlink:link, #yiv3967319093 a.yiv3967319093primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv3967319093 a.yiv3967319093primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv3967319093 a.yiv3967319093primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv3967319093 WordPress.com | Alicia Dean posted: “Please help me welcome today’s guest, Josie Riviera… Exploring the fascinating culture of the Romany. (Gypsies) “Gadje Gadjensa, Rom Romensa.”This is a Romany (Gypsy) saying that means “Gadje with Gadje, Rom with Rom.”So what ” | |
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The modern Rom are equally as fascinating, as they also enjoy celebrating their customs and traditions.
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Many thanks, Alicia, for hosting me today on your blog. The winner of the giveaway will be announced within the next couple of days. In the meantime, EVERYONE is welcome to subscribe to my newsletter and receive a FREE romance ebook, my historical sweet novella, Seeking Catherine.
Here’s the link and Happy Reading!
https://josieriviera.wordpress.com/
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I’m a little late. Seeking Patience sounds like something I’d enjoy. All of Ms. Riviera’s books are good reads
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Thanks so much, Linda!
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Coryellsusan, you’ve won a free ebook copy of Seeking Patience! Please email me at josieriviea@aol.com! Congrats!
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I enjoyed reading your post and learning about the Romany. Lisa Kleypas touches on the Gypsy culture in her books, and I once heard an interesting tale about how the Romanov are viewed in Russia to this day.
Thanks for sharing. Your book sounds engaging!
Kimberly Keyes
https://facebook.com/kimberly.keyes.romance
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Hi Kimberly,
Yes, I had read that book years ago. Lisa’s a great writer!
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It’s wonderful that you have explored this culture. I enjoyed reading about it, and the story sounds filled with emotion. Good luck to you!
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Thanks so much, Kara!
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Wow! This sounds like a great read! You’ve created two imminently sympathetic characters, and readers are going to have a strong desire to see their happily ever after. Looking forward to reading this!
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Thanks so much, M.J.! Hope you enjoy Seeking Patience!
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