My favorite loving gesture by Lynn Lovegreen

My husband is a prince. He does so many things for me without being asked, like doing the dishes every day, shoveling the driveway in winter and mowing the lawn in the summer (which is one of his least favorite chores). He buys great presents, like bringing me a hairdryer when mine died or finding a 6-disc CD player so I can listen to my huge collection of music CDs. (I know they’re old-school, but I hate to throw away perfectly good CDs.) Hubby also hand-makes cards for every birthday, Valentine’s Day, and anniversary, and his artwork is amazing. I am so lucky to have this guy as my spouse and partner for over thirty years.

 

But if I had to pick one loving gesture, it goes back to our trip to London. We only had a short time there, and he said it was my turn to pick our itinerary. He went along with spending a half day at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, which was okay with him because he enjoys plays and we met in a production of Much Ado About Nothing. (He was an actor, and I was the stage makeup artist.) Then he was fine with taking the tube to the other side of the city to find John Keats’ house in Hampstead. Now, my husband is not a poetry fan. He reads nonfiction only and probably barely remembered John Keats from his school days. But I’d told him that Keats was my favorite poet when I was younger. Hubby was fine with looking around the museum and standing under a tree in the yard while I read a John Keats poem aloud. Like I said, my husband is a prince.

 

But the loving gesture came later, when he gave me a refrigerator magnet with a quote from John Keats’ Endymion, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” For a math and science guy who doesn’t read poetry, that is precious. He gets me. And he shows that he’s paying attention. It doesn’t get any more romantic than that.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope you have a sweetie to celebrate with, or a great romance to read. This blog is a great place to find your next favorite novel, just saying. 😉

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

February is Known for Relationships … by Delsora Lowe

One of the first things that comes to mind when February rolls around, besides it being one of our coldest months in the northeast, is Valentine’s Day. This is a celebration of that special love relationship between partners.

But there are other relationships, and other ways to build those relationships. 

Since the start of the pandemic a few years ago, and the rise in usage of social media and meeting apps, we now build new or rekindle old relationships virtually.

For example, my second cousins who I usually hear from around the holidays via a card, all got together on ZOOM to chat after my mom passed away. Mom was the conduit between all of us. Their mothers and my mom were best friends growing up in a small town. And later the three cousins married and moved to big cities. My mom to Washington, D.C. and my mother’s two cousins to New York City.

Us kids all saw each other in the summer when the “girls” (mom and her cousins) all met back in their tiny hometown west of NYC. They grew up a block away from each other. But we, the second cousins once removed, grew up, moved to various parts of the country and only stayed in touch through holiday cards or letters written to my mom. The ZOOM chat was the first time we’d seen each other face-to-face (electronically) in many years. In a way it was a bit unusual, as we were by now virtually strangers.  But in another way, the ZOOM gathering was wonderful to catch-up and talk about our parents and the times we spent together as children. And then to find out all we were doing now as adults with our own families.

All of us have dear friends, as well as relationships / friends in the workplace. In my professional life, as an author, I saw the state members of my local writing chapter, monthly for meetings.

 

But my state is large and many who live farther north or south, rarely attend monthly meetings. I joined my home chapter in 2004, so many are now close, close friends, as well as colleagues. And now, my local chapter also has many “long-distance” members from other states. Many are friends I have made over the internet and through personal meetings at conferences.

Some of those farther away are able to attend our state’s annual writing retreat, where we all spend the night in a hotel and attend workshops, writing sprints, and enjoying meals together. What a treat to see each other in person. Lots of hugging and chatting and sharing about writing—a truly inspiring weekend.

I belong, as a long-distance member to several out-of-state writing groups. The highlight each year, was traveling to other states to the writing conferences and seeing those I only saw once a year. But those conferences have gone by the wayside.

Enter ZOOM and other virtual media sites, and we are now able to see each other again. Granted, we are chatting to a bunch of small boxes with faces. But we are chatting real-time. And that has helped keep relationships going. And allowed us to build new relationships with people we haven’t met in person. It might not be the same as sitting down to a meal together, or chatting it up in the cocktail lounge, or at the conference table. But it is the next best thing to keeping our friendships and working relationships strong.

What tips do you have for building and maintaining relationships?

 

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Moonlighting-Serenity-Harbor-Novella-Starlight-ebook/dp/B075TK7KYS/

Books2Read

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~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, and the novella The Love Left Behind, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Recently released were two Christmas stories: The Inn at Gooseneck Lane and Holiday Hitchhiker.

 

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:
Writers: Free Writing Book Cliparts, Download Free Writing Book Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on
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Heart: free hearts images - Google Search
Family: Free Clip Art Family, Download Free Clip Art Family png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
ZOOM: Zoom meeting free clip art - Google Search
Map: Free Map Cliparts, Download Free Map Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Laughing Friends: ladies laughing clipart - Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com)

The Heart of the Matter

By: Marcia King-Gamble

www.lovemarcia.com

February is black History month. It’s also the month of love, and so I thought I’d get right to the heart of the matter with some little-known facts about both.

This month’s blog was supposed to be about what touches my heart; and there’s nothing that touches my heart more than learning something new. So, here’s what touched my heart this month, and what I’d like to share with you.

In terms of black history, I was amazed to find out that before Rosa Parks there was 15-year-old named Claudette Colvin who refused to move to the back of the bus. Claudette was thrown into jail. So why is Rosa better known, when only nine months before, Claudette had done something similar? The answer…well the NAACP and other black organizations felt Rosa, who was solidly middle class, and also a secretary for the NACCP would be a better representative of the cause.

Did you know that Martin Luther King’s iconic speech, I had a Dream was mostly improvised? At some point Martin threw away the crafted speech and adlibbed. The original speech was far more political and a lot less historic. It had no reference to dreams.

I bet you didn’t know that the earliest recorded protest against slavery was made by the Quakers in 1688.  And did you know that of the 12.5 million slaves that left Africa only 10.7 million survived the dreaded Middle Passage?  In fact, less than 388,000 slaves arrived in the USA. The vast majority, (4.7) million were sent to Brazil. Now doesn’t that explain its beautiful people?

Another interesting fact I did not know, is that one in four cowboys was black. It is even believed the real Lone Ranger was inspired by an African American man named Bass Reeves. It seems that even back then the west was far more liberal, and tolerant of diverse cultures.  

We all know who Betty Boop is. But who would have thought that in 1930, cartoonist Max Fleischer would create the Kewpie-faced sexy Betty Boop, modeling her off black Jazz singer Esther Jones; better known as Baby Esther? Another woman, Helen Kane claimed it was modeled after her, but Esther was booping long before Helen came along.

Now onto what this month is better known for --------Valentine’s Day and love. Did you know Cupid’s lover’s name was Psyche and their daughter’s name was Voluptus?  Voluptus means pleasure.

Were you aware that Cupid’s mother was Venus? And that Venus was so jealous of Psyche’s beauty she instructed Cupid to shoot Psyche with an arrow so that she would fall in love with the most hideous creature. The irony of the story was that it backfired, and Cupid ended up falling in love with Psyche. The rest is of course history.

On a lighter note, did you know every Valentine’s Day more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold?  It is also the second largest card giving day. Christmas is the first.

And finally, were you aware that Valentine wasn’t just one person, but two? A gruesome fact is that both men were executed on the same day (February 14^th) except different years.

And that my readers are what’s touched my heart this February 2019^th.

Be kind! Be grateful! And to paraphrase  Bob Marley,  you  could be loved! You are loved!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Lose yourself in love this Valentne's Day with my  latest releases :

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About Marcia King-Gamble

Romance writer, Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This travel industry executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned over 34 books and 8 novellas. Her free time is spent at the gym, traveling to exotic locales, and caring for her animal family. Visit Marcia at www.lovemarcia.com or “friend” her on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1MlnrIS Be sure to join her mailing list.

Why celebrate Valentines day? by Dora Bramden

Last year's Valentine's Day heart decoration.

In a week from today, it will be Valentine's day. It's a celebration that people seem to either look forward to or hope to avoid. I'm one who looks forward to it. I always have, even when I was single. I don't subscribe to the belief that Valentine's day is only for couples. Yes, as you can see by the heart above, I'm in a relationship ,however it wasn't always like that.

When I was single, and looking for a relationship, I worked at injecting romance into my life in order to welcome it in.

I believed that sitting at home and wishing wasn't going to get me anywhere. So I joined the dating scene. I went out with nice men that I met online. Although they weren't a good match for me, I enjoyed and appreciated their company. I didn't give up but it took five long years before Sam came into my life.

Sometimes when I wondered if it would ever happen I remembered that song, 'You can't hurry Love'.

While I waited, I worked on self-love. Looking after myself the best I could, creating a lovely home for myself and enjoying the love of my dear family and friends. I also celebrated Valentines Day.

In the romance author world, Valentine's day is a thing. So single me celebrated. I bought myself flowers, lit a candle and watched romantic movies. One year I went to a fabulous dinner with romance author friends.

Now that I am in a relationship I make sure we celebrate Valentine's day with a lunch or dinner together. Each year, we swap cards and buy little presents for each other. One year he bought a bear for me holding a heart that said, I love you more than coffee. That was saying a lot because he really loves his morning espresso.

I know that Valentine's day can be very commercial but if, like me, you think of it as a day to celebrate love, then enjoy all the things that bring romance into your life.

I've been sharing what I'm doing to celebrate and decorate this year, on my author site blog. Check out my blog on creating a Valentine's Day tablescape and cheats dinner.

Or the entryway decorations including a romantic wreath tutorial.

It's also a great time to choose a romance novel for your next read. The authors on this blog have lots of genres so there's a book for everybody's taste.

Dora writes, heart-melting, passionate romance
http://www.dorabramden.com/books

Valentine's Day...Dread or Delight?

What can be said about Valentine's Day? Ohh goodness, where do I begin? How about we start with what exactly does this specific day mean?

To many people, Valentine's Day has become synonymous with love, most specifically couples in love. What better way to express the love you feel for your spouse or parter than a bright red bouquet of roses, chocolate, and a cheesy card with a picture of an adorable puppy that says, "I woof you!"? It is those small things that count, after all. However, over the years I have seen a growing trend of anti-Valentine's Day.

What exactly do I mean by anti-Valentine's Day?

We've all seen those memes and statuses where someone has declared Valentine's is meaningless to them because they have no one to share it with. They abhor the idea of celebrating such a day, and often feel left out. Therefore, they become anti-Valentine's Day.

As a woman with the most awesome husband in the world, I love Valentine's Day. However, I didn't always, because I too, have felt that sting of aloneness. So I can totally relate to dreading a day that celebrates couples. At least, that was until I realized that this specific day can mean so much more than celebrating my relationship. One year, long before my husband and I were a thing, I treated myself to a night of dinner and a movie. The following year, I took my mother to the fabric store and bought her a new sewing machine. She was totally delighted, and still remembers it to this day as the best Valentine Day's ever. For all intents and purposes, we were a couple, and then later stopped at some little dive restaurant on the side of the road and ate their hamburger, fries, and shake for two meal for the price of one! 

No matter what founding Valentine Day story you subscribe to, (and yes, there are several) the one thing in common they all have is the right the celebrate love as you see fit. Be it romantic, friendship, or family. No one says you have to have a significant other to appreciate and celebrate a holiday designated to love. So all you lovely people out there, just remember that. Valentine's Day is a day of love, no matter if you are single. And love comes in many forms. Your parents, siblings, best friend, even your pets! 

So everyone gather 'round the candy aisle and buy that chocolate and flowers, and those snarky cards. And also remember, the DISCOUNTS the rest of the month! (I may or may not be eating a box of heart chocolates right now!!) Okay, I am! *licks fingers*


As this post is "technically" after Valentine's Day, I leave you with a HAPPY VALENTINE'S MONTH!!!!

Now go forward, and eats the candy! 

Favorite Valentine’s Day Flicks by Kristin Wallace

Yes, Valentine’s Day is already over, but my blogging day on RTG happened to fall after the 14th. Still, I had a fun Valentine’s Day-themed idea so I’m running with it. My topic this month is…favorite romantic movies. Come to think of it, these movies can be watched all year long, so they still count.

Pride & Prejudice (any and all versions)

There are many version of this movie. The one you’re most likely to see on TV is the 2005 movie starring Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennett and Matthew Macfayden as Mr. Darcy. Some probably still prefer the classic BBC version starring our favorite ever Mr. Darcy, Colin Firth. I do like this newer movie adaptation, though. The chemistry between the two leads is pretty smoldering considering nothing really happens and we never get to see Matthew Macfayden rising out of a pond with a wet shirt clinging to his chest. I really believe his Darcy desires Lizzie, even down to him flexing his hand in reaction after he helps her into a carriage. Plus, it has hands-down the best hero entry in any movie ever, at the end where he strides across the field at dawn to claim his Lizzie.

Here it is in case you've forgotten how perfect this is...

10 Things I Hate About You

A teen movie that works on all fronts, mostly because of great performance of a young Heath Ledger. Julia Stiles is pretty good and I didn’t always like her as an actress. Of course, the story is a take on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew set in a modern high school. It’s Health Ledger’s job to make Julia Stiles fall in love so her younger sister can go out on a date. Here’s the best quote and the reason this movie made the list. “I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair. I hate the way you drive my car. I hate it when you stare. I hate your big dumb combat boots, and the way you read my mind. I hate you so much it makes me sick; it even makes me rhyme. I hate it, I hate the way you’re always right. I hate it when you lie. I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry. I hate it when you’re not around, and the fact that you didn’t call. But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.” —Kat (Stiles)  THAT’S GOOD WRITING!

When Harry Met Sally

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan come together for one of the best on-screen pairings ever. Harry and Sally meet when they share a ride to New York after college. She believes men and women can’t be friends because of the sex thing. She disagrees. They part, but eventually meet again. They try to be friends…but…well you have to watch to again to see what happens. This is where the classis “I’ll have what she’s having” line came from. It also features the best breakdown ever, when Sally falls apart after breaking up with her boyfriend and realizing “I’m gonna be forty…” in EIGHT YEARS.

Pretty Woman

Is it realistic in the least? No… Is it fun anyway? Yes. Julia Roberts became a star because of this movie and with good reason. Every moment in this movie is pretty perfect, from the aaaammmazng red dress, the revenge shopping on Rodeo Drive, to the end when the princess “rescues him right back.”

Say Anything

An 80s classic. Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) is in love with the perfect Diane Court (Ione Sky - whatever happened to her?). This made the list because Lloyd brings us the classic ‘holding a boom box over his head while blasting Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” scene. 

Dirty Dancing

If last year’s disastrous attempt at a Dirty Dancing update starring the girl who was once “Little Miss Sunshine” taught us anything it’s that you never mess with the original. Was the original Dirty Dancing the most perfect movie ever? Was the acting amazing? Maybe not, but it had Patrick Swayze and his hips. It also had monster chemistry between him and co-star Jennifer Grey, even though it’s been said they hated each other during the shooting of the movie. It also had the lift in the water…Patrick Swayze dancing…baby carrying a watermelon…Patrick Swayze dancing…that song...and she does the lift...and Patrick Swayze dancing!

 Sleepless In Seattle

If ever there was an onscreen romantic comedy couple that should’ve been a couple in real life (at least in our hearts) it’s Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. This movie is a Christmas favorite, but also just a favorite any time. A lonely widower Sam tells a radio talk show how much he misses his deceased wife and every woman in America vows to help him get over his grief. Including Annie from Baltimore. I love, love, love this movie for all time. (Please ignore the translation to whatever language that is at the bottom. This was the only clip of this that I could find.)

Bridget Jones’s Diary

Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones, who’s in love with her bad boy boss (Hugh Grant), but really belongs with Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth). It’s based on a really funny book, which in turn is based on Pride & Prejudice…hence Mr. Darcy…place by THE Mr. Darcy from the classic BBC version mentioned earlier. It’s funny and sweet and just plain perfect.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

This movie made Hugh Grant a star. It is funny, funny, funny A group of friends attend 4 weddings…and a funeral. In the process Hugh Grant falls in love with American Andie MacDowell. Each wedding is more ridiculous than the last. If you don’t laugh at Mr. Bean officiating a wedding and making a hash of it while uttering phrases like, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Goat” you just might be dead.

Now it's your turn. Do you have a favorite romantic movie? Share your pick here!

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance, and women’s fiction filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of two best selling series, Shellwater Key Tales (sweet contemporary romance) and Covington Falls Chronicles (inspirational romance). Watch for her new series, launching this April, The Heiress Games. Book 1 (Least Likely Heiress) is available for pre-order now on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

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Let me Count the Ways!

 By:Marcia King-Gamble

www.lovemarcia.com

Happy Valentine’s Day reader friends! 

It’s February and the expectations of romance are sky high. Will he say it with flowers, candy or a two carat, gold ring?

As a romance author, I’m supposed to believe that tangibles are what romances are made of.  While rose petals spread on satin sheets are lovely, they’re hardly practical and dang they can be uncomfortable. We all know that expensive meals while appreciated, don't always buy true love. Yes, I’m what you call a romantic realist and I'm a true subscriber to show me, don’t tell me, or buy me. 

You can keep your roses, expensive dinners and horse carriage rides, if you don't make the time to spend with me.  I'd rather have the magic moments we create, and simplicity is often the key. 

Those special moments can be created in a kitchen making dinner together. They can take the form of a walk on the beach, or a shared ice cream cone at a sidewalk cafe.  They can be quiet moments curled up on a sofa together, reading out loud. It can be a simple back rub meant to relieve the tension of a stressful day. It can take the form of a glance across a crowded room; a silent acknowledgement that you have my back.  

Years ago, a friend and I spent ten days in Asia. We’d traveled to Tokyo and Bangkok, and by the time we got to Hong Kong, jet lag had set in. Yet we were determined to go out on the town. The long and short of it, we ended up at an upscale restaurant with a dance band. In a matter of minutes, a table of mostly men asked us to join them, and we were being twirled around the dance floor.

One man, a dreamy, silver-tongued Australian, we’ll call X, ended up being my dance partner for most of the night.  After the place closed, we talked for hours and walked the Hong Kong waterfront. As the sun came up, we exchanged business cards and he walked me to my hotel. I figured that was that.

Two hours later, there was a knock on my door. He’d arrived flowers in hand to take me to breakfast. We kept in touch by mail, (email was not an option back then,) and phone. We did see each other again, and while the relationship didn’t last, some very special memories were made. These are the memories I tap into when  I write.

Years later, I got asked to dinner in Chinatown, New York by another guy. I waited on line for what seemed hours to enter a dingy basement-style establishment. My first thoughts were this man doesn’t think highly of me. Then I took the first bite of food. Heaven! Our conversation took off, and by the end of the meal, doves were cooing from the ceiling. It turns out that the restaurant was  a favorite of his and he wanted to share it with me. It also turns out I later married that guy, and that restaurant (now very fancy) became our go to place.

 http://a.co/05HAWoQ

    

My two favorite scenes in my recent novellas, Naughty in New York, and Loose in Las Vegas aren’t the obvious ones. In Naughty in New York, it’s not when Anderson  takes Theo on a carriage ride through Central Park, but the one when he follows her home after a party. Some might label it stalkerish, but heck, the man risked embarrassment to go after the woman he wanted. That's romantic to me.

 http://a.co/h0qxKjO

In Loose in Las Vegas, my favorite romantic scene was not the New Year’s Eve scene as some might expect. It’s the one when Cato’s plane is delayed, and he races down to the parking lot to stop Lana from heading home. Cato’s not afraid to make a fool of himself and go after what he wants. 

While these examples may not be your standard or traditional ideas of romance, maybe you'll share yours with me. Is it the moment when he gives you jewelry, a card or candy? Or is it when he/she whispers those three memorable words in your ear? I Love You! 

 I'd love to hear!  Share! Share! Share!

About  Marcia King-Gamble: 

Romance writer, Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This former travel industry executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned over 34 books and 8 novellas. Her free time is spent at the gym, traveling to exotic locales, and caring for her animal family.

Visit Marcia at www.lovemarcia.com or “friend” her on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1MlnrIS

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