I LOVE Valentine’s Day. I’m that mom that would send my kids to school with Valentine’s “bouquets” for all of their teachers – flower-shaped sugar cookies decorated and baked on sticks, then stuck in a flowerpot. Every year, I’d spend the entire day before Valentine’s Day baking cookies and making gifts. Now I homeschool, so I plan elaborate dinner and goodies for my family. I have boxes of European chocolates for my children, my baking is planned out, I know my menu for the dinner. I’m so excited that it’s almost here!
So, as a romance author with 31 romance novels out, you’d think that I had incorporated Valentine’s Day into something, somewhere. Yet, I only did it twice!
In Greater Than Rubies, my billionaire Tony Viscolli takes his love Robin Bartlett from Boston to New York City via helicopter for Valentine’s Day dinner at the Viscolli hotel. He presents her with a ruby necklace in the shape of a heart — giving the book the theme for a play on Proverbs 31:10: Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. (NKJV)
It was so much fun to give Robin such an elaborate and romantic Valentine’s gift.
When I was planning my book Jade’s Match, my main male character was on the Olympic hockey team, and his love interest was on the Olympic volleyball team. The book released the week the 2018 Winter Olympics began. Working out the timing of everything, I discovered that the first men’s hockey game was taking place on February 14th! How perfect was that?
Thus, it became the second book to have a Valentine’s Day scene in it.
Do you enjoy Valentine-themed romances? What is your favorite?
GIVEAWAY TIME!
One commenter will receive an autographed copy of Greater Than Rubies AND one of Jade’s Match. The winner will be announced on Sunday’s post.
P.S.: If you want to find more Valentine’s Day themed stories, including Jade’s Match, check out All I want for Valentine’s Day giveaway at Bookfunnel!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and thanks for the post!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I like Valentine romance, because it is a special day (I like special days, they give you a happy feeling) I love second chances. For me no Valentine’s day this year, but I wish you a very happy Valentine!
Happy Valentine’s Day
Have you considered starting a book with a Galentine’s Day plan leading up to a Valentine’s Day as part of the HEA?
Wow–you made cookie bouquets? I’m impressed. I love Valentine’s, too. I believed in focusing on my husband, though, and told the kids that God told us to put our marriages as a top priority. Other holidays are for other relationships…controversial?
I loved that scene in Greater Than Rubies!! I haven’t read Jade’s Match yet, though! To be honest, I don’t remember too many Valentine’s Day’s in books. Since I don’t put an emphasis on the day, maybe that’s why. Since I’ve never married, I usually took Mom and Daddy out for dinner for Valentine’s, depending on what day it was on. Other times, I just bought Mom flowers or chocolate.
Honestly I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day . I used to enjoy it when my kids were young where I have always loved to bake and like you Hallee, I had a blast creating all sorts of heart shaped treats for them to take to school to share. But once they grew beyond the grade school age I just made something for them at home and something special for my husband. Since my kids are both grown and my husband has been gone for almost 10 years it is no different than any other day now. I don’t see other family or friends on any regular basis to share anything with either.
I do enjoy reading about the way couples choose to make the day special as with any love stories in books.
I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day, but my dad always buys my mom something. It is the sweetest thing
Happy Valentines Day And Thank you for the amazing post Your book sound amazing Blessings to you!
I enjoy a good Valentine’s Day romance. I don’t think I’ve read any books that feature Valentine’s Day, but I always enjoy the movies Hallmark puts on this time of year.
Your books sound like great reads! I love Valentines Day, this year I made Valentine Days cards for my grandchildren my husband our son and daughter and I made my 2 sisters Valentine Days cards and I really enjoyed making them. Your cookies look beautiful and I bet they were delicious. I love Valentine themes. Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe. “Happy Valentines Day ” to you and your family.
Yes, I love Valentine themed stories. I am not sure that I have a favorite. I just love to read about happy endings.
I enjoy Valentine’s Day-themed stories. No particular favorite.
I’m not really a fan of Valentine’s day so don’t really know if I’ve read stories with it included. When the kids were small we did stuff – but it was a lot of effort! This year we’ll probably just have a family dinner, per normal Sunday night since Covid.
I can’t remember reading a book with a Valentine’s theme in it. Though, being a hopeless romantic, I would definitely enjoy one!
I love that Greater Than Rubies is based on the virtuous wife passage in scripture! It’s one I know I’d enjoy reading because it’s one of my favorite passages in the Bible. The cover is gorgeous to boot!
Celebrating LOVE all year round, not only on Valentine’s Day ;)
Valentines day was never really a day we celebrated here but I did have a couple of American penpals that sent me a valentines day card and it did feel nice. I like the idea of what you did for the teachers.
I like special days, too. :-)
I have not. That sounds like a fun story!
I don’t think that’s controversial. I think that’s very wise.
I’m glad you loved that scene! :-)
I think once you don’t have someone to share it with, it becomes a rather moot day.
I’m glad you enjoy reading about it!
Some couples seem very sweet about it. :-)
My husband does not like Valentine’s Day. He tolerates my enjoyment – lol.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you! Thank you!
Hallmark movies are always fun when they’re themed like that.
My aunt makes the most beautiful cards. We get one for every occasion.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
I love to read about happy endings, too. It always fills my heart.
Thank you for your reply!
My husband is not a fan of Valentine’s Day. So, once we don’t have kids for me to do for, I imagine that it will be way more undertoned. LOL
Hopeless romantic. :-) That made me smile.
Thank you! My cover artist is wonderful. She did a photoshoot specifically for that book and the one before it.
That is my husband’s perspective as well! (And he’s very good at it so I have no complaints.) :-)
Thank you. We always loved to dote on our teachers.
Now I homeschool. I miss the opportunity.
Your kids need to take the initiative and make you something to surprise you.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a Valentine’s Day themed book. I love your idea of Valentine’s Day baking and gifting your baked goods!
That link will take you to several you can try for free!
Thank you!
My daughter used to. For some reason, middle school boys don’t think the way middle school girls do (haha).
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I enjoy Valentine’s Day romance stories. I love the cookie boutiques you made.