VALENTINE'S DAY--IT'S NOT JUST FOR LOVERS By Kathleen Lawless @kathleenlawless #romancegems

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.

My efforts paid off, and I’ll never forget the year my youngest son, who was about eleven or twelve at the time, spent all his paper route money buying his sister and I each a long-stemmed red rose on Valentine’s Day.  He told his friends, “My Mom writes romance novels.  Valentine’s Day is bigger than Christmas in our house.”  He’s still that romantic guy, only now his girlfriend gets the flowers.

 

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 14^th?  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.

          The train platform was empty, the train that had discharged Martina and Charlie in Colorado long gone from sight, and Martina fought down the hopeless feeling that had been with her daily since pa died.  When Charlie tugged at her skirt to be lifted up, she batted his hand away.  “Not now, Charlie, let me think.”

          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

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