Childhood Valentine Days still stick in my mind. The excitement of going to school with my cards all addressed, then later bringing home that bursting envelope stuffed with Valentine’s cards from my classmates. The excitement of seeing who sent me a sentimental greeting and guessing, hopefully, who might have snuck the anonymous ones into my collection when I wasn’t looking
Maybe that’s when I decided to write romance novels. Or perhaps that experience set me up for future disappointments. My husband turned out to be the world’s least romantic man (no surprise he’s been my ex for a long time) and Valentine’s day lost some of its magic. The first year after my divorce, I booked a romantic booth for two in my favorite restaurant and waited for Mr. Right to show up and ask me on a Valentine’s date. Alas, Cupid let me down.
As a single mom, that was the first of many a dateless
Valentine’s. Yet despite all those years
when Cupid blatantly ignored me, I still felt it was important to
celebrate. I decorated the house, bought
cards and chocolates for my loved ones—family and friends—and made sure my kids
had lots of sweet treats. One year I
took heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink icing around to my customers. I wanted to make sure all the important people
in my life felt loved and special.
The point to all this is that love takes on many different guises, but it truly does make the world go round. Why else would romance novels be the number best seller of all genre fiction? Partnered or not, don’t wait for love to find you. Go out and spread it around. Make someone’s day special and yours will be too. This year I plan to buy a bunch of cinnamon hearts, red and white heart-shaped jujubes, sweethearts and chocolate, and make up little goodie bags to drop off for friends I haven’t seen for way too long as we wait out the health order and receive our vaccine.
How will you spend February 14th? Please share some ideas or your favorite Valentine’s memories below. I’m always looking for inspiration.
Since there’s bound to be a slew of Valentine’s romances for sale this week, I’m going to hold off till the end of the month with my next release, ONE FANTASY FALL, quickly followed up with my latest Mail Order Bride Story MAIL ORDER MARTINA in early March.
Here’s a snippet and the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SLC93KN
Neither of them are marriage material—but fate decrees otherwise.
There had been no takers when she tried to sell the train
ticket the unknown Will Thorn had sent to carry her from Harrisburg to Durango,
and she wasn’t surprised. Why would
anyone want to come here? By the time
she sold her horse, and paid what she was sure was an inflated price for her
and Charlie to stay in a rooming house, her finances were looking bleak, and
she had little choice but to board the train.
Clearly, Aunt Florence had this planned as Pa lay ill. Pretending to be Martina, her aunt
corresponded with some pathetic, lonely rancher out in Colorado. And the mean
old biddy’s scheme worked. Martina and Charlie were out of Aunt and Uncle’s
lives forever.
While she was contemplating her next move, a porter came
out of the station. “Won’t be another
train along till tomorrow, ma’am.”
Martina thought to the return address on the
latest letter tucked into her reticule.
“How far is it to Ridgemont?”
“Ridgemont? Not much
there. Someone expecting you?”
“A Mr. Thorn,” she said.
“Which one?” the porter asked. “The thief or the gambler?”
That sounded a bit dubious.
“Mr. William Thorn. I understand
he has a ranch.”
“Wouldn’t call it that,” the porter said, “although the
place was something in its day. Don’t
tell me Will’s out of jail?”
“I—” Marty swallowed
thickly. “There must be a mistake.”
“Just saw the ranch’s hand pass through town not long
ago. If he’s still around you can likely
catch a ride with him.”
In an unexpected kind move, the porter picked up her valise
in one hand and Charlie in the other.
“You both look pretty tuckered.
Let’s see if we can get you sorted out.”
Happy Heart Day, whatever you do,
Kathleen
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo true about the different guises love takes. Sometimes we need to be reminded of that. Thanks for doing that for me.
ReplyDeleteValentines at school...I haven’t thought of them in years. Thanks for the happy reminder. I love the excerpt and look forward to reading the book!
ReplyDeleteGlad I gave you a happy memory.
DeleteBeing a teacher, Valentine's Day was all about the cards and a party at the end of the day with yummy snacks!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I remember too!
DeleteI love Valentine's Day because we get to celebrate love! And you're right...there are all kinds of relationships to be celebrated on this day. My favorite thing is getting flowers. I don't need anything else!
ReplyDeleteNothing like flowers in the middle of winter to give you a boost!
ReplyDeleteYes, you're spot on about love. Loved the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joan
DeleteI love your attitude and the idea of spreading love to all the people in your life -- eve without a partner. And so glad you now have the guy of your dreams in your life!
ReplyDeleteGlad you have your high school sweetheart back in your life.
ReplyDelete