Italians in Love by Helen Scott Taylor

Italy is renowned for being romantic with its beautiful countryside, the tall, dark, handsome men, and the rambling historic towns with their old romantic traditions. When Shakespeare wrote about his tragic young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, he forever linked Italy with romance in the hearts and minds of people all over the world.

Italian couples traditionally celebrate La Festa Degli Innamorati, Valentine's Day, like lovers all over the world, by exchanging Valentine's cards and going out to share a romantic dinner. The man will often give his sweetheart a gift of red roses, perfume or chocolates. Baci chocolate candies with a shiny red wrapper and a sweet red cherry center are produced specially. These chocolates contain a romantic quote inside the foil wrapper.

The history of Valentine's Day has its origins in Italy as well. In the Roman Empire, February 14^th was a holiday to celebrate Juno, the goddess queen of women and marriage.

Valentine’s Day is also linked to the priest, St. Valentine. He defied the Roman emperors’ order banning soldiers from marrying during wartime and secretly wed them to their sweethearts.

Now the romantic Italians have started another tradition for lovers, Lucchetti dell’Amore or Locks of Love.

Young lovers write their names on a padlock. They then secure it on a bridge or railing and throw away the key as a sign that their love will last forever. There are different accounts of when this tradition started. Around the time of the Second World War, young people from Riomaggiore and Manarola, two fishing villages in the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, started attaching padlocks to the fence of the coastal footpath between the two villages. They then tossed the keys into the Mediterranean.

Nowadays, these locks of love are found all over Italy, often on bridges spanning rivers. They adorn bridges in Rome, Venice, Verona (pictured) and Florence. The authorities have started to remove them from places of historic beauty like the Rialto bridge in Venice. In Florence police removed more than 5000 locks from the Ponte Vecchio. But the romantic Italians will not be stopped. This craze has now spread across Italy into other European countries.

The Lucchetti dell’Amore, Locks of Love, sound like a wonderfully romantic idea in theory, but I can imagine they might become a problem for the Italian authorities.

Do you know of any unusual Valentine's or lover's traditions?

~*~

Helen lives in South West England near Plymouth in Devon between the windswept expanse of Dartmoor and the rocky Atlantic coast. As well as her wonderful, long-suffering husband, she shares her home with a Westie a Shih Tzu and a burmilla cat. Helen's latest book is a Valentine's story! The Army Doctor's Valentine's Baby is #5 in her series. Find Helen on FaceBook and Twitter, or visit her website.

 

A Few Words on Procrastination by Donna Fasano

Dawdling, postponing, stalling, dabbling, delaying, dilly-dallying, loitering, frittering, playing, frivoling, idling, loafing. They all mean the same thing: to put off. I am good at it. Too good, I fear.

And when I am questioned about my progress (the project matters not—it could be anything from making a grocery list to editing my next novel), I have perfected the hemming and hawing answer that is sure to baffle the interrogator into a frustrated fit (90% of the time the interrogator is my husband who has learned over the years that it's safer not to do too much questioning unless he wants to end up walking away, scratching his head, and muttering, "What the heck did she just say?"). 

Just this week, I was interviewed by an editor of a popular romance novel review magazine and I told the woman, "There's nothing better than being your own boss." And here I sit this morning, blogging, reading e-mail and tweets, checking Facebook, pacing from window to window, nibbling on a granola bar, doing anything and everything besides what I should be doing: starting the next chapter of my book. One negative about being your own boss is that there's no one to light a fire under you when there's work to be done.

Here's my best advice regarding procrastination:

·        Just do it!

·        Break larger tasks into smaller ones.

·        Complete the most difficult task first.

·        Reward yourself when the job is complete.

Now THERE'S advice everyone should follow, right? Are you a procrastinator? What do you find is your biggest distraction? And what's your best piece of advice for me…er, ah, people who procrastinate?

~~~

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written over 30 romance and women's fiction novels. You can learn more about her on her blog, or visit her on Facebook and Twitter. Donna loves to hear from her readers.

Her sweet romance novel, TAKE ME I'M YOURS, is on sale this week for just $0.99. Find it in the Kindle Store.

What Does Romance Mean To You?

Over 100 years ago Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote the poem which included these lines: "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love."

So why is it unpopular now for men to admit they like romance … providing the right woman is involved? Why do men hide in a corner when they dare to read a sweet romance book?

Although it is possible to live without romance, those blessed with true love know that it is a divine gift and not to be taken lightly. It has a quality of excitement, and mystery. Falling in love can temporarily remove us from the cares of our everyday life.

But according to Samuel Stoddard: “Being romantic is hard work. Some people think that romance is easy,” he says, “that anybody can be romantic with very little work. This is not true. To be romantic,” he continues, “there are a lot of things you must know about romance and a lot of situations you must prepare for.”

Hard work? That sounds like everyday drudgery. Is romance worth it?

In my experience, for the best relationships, lovers are the best of friends. And as Elbert Hubbard once said. “To have a friend you must first be a friend.”

Contrary to popular opinion, some lovers like practical gifts. And romantic gifts do not have to be a large out of pocket expense. In fact the best gifts of all are things money cannot buy.

Five special gifts you should give freely:

Wearing his favorite outfit for the occasion.

A smile of appreciation.

Laugh at his jokes.

Appreciate his talents.

Be thankful for his attempts to please you, not breathing a word about what you would have preferred …Unless he asks, of course. Then give him the gift of the truth given in love.

And those times when life has dumped on you? Cheer your spirits by reading a sweet romance. Perhaps a comedy filled one. Refill your romance tank so you can spread peace and joy to others.

Sharon A Lavy lives with her husband in SW Ohio. When not reading, writing, or sewing for her family, she enjoys traveling with her husband in their small Flight Design airplane.

You can find out more about her on the web:

Website/Blog:  Facebook:   Twitter: Amazon: 

The Most Romantic Month by Aileen Fish

Do you ever feel overlooked during the first half of February? Either you are like I am, single and not dating, or you’ve been in a relationship long enough that Valentine’s Day is often forgotten. All around us, advertisers scream how we must declare our love for someone with candy, flowers or jewelry. It can lead some into a funk, I am sure! 

Thank heavens for sweet romance books, right? We can slip into the same romantic mood sweeping the rest of the country as easily as opening a book. Movies, too, but in this case, books hit the spot more for me. I can picture the hero as I like him, I can pretend to be young again like the heroine. I can browse the shelves for exactly the type of hero I want, cowboy or cop, lord or duke. I can enjoy several heroes in one night—oh, the scandal! 

I think this is why I have loved books since I was little. No matter what my mood, there is something out there to suit me. When it’s hot in the summer I can open a book set in the snow. And warm myself the same in winter.

I have stocked up on some great Valentine’s Day reads, and will probably indulge myself on the 14th by squeezing in a few hours to do just that, read, perhaps with a few pieces of fancy chocolate to savor. What about you? Do you look for more books in February than in other months? Or do you pull out a particular old favorite to enjoy?

~ * ~

Aileen Fish, author of The Bridgethorpe Brides series, is an avid quilter and auto racing fan who finds there aren't enough hours in a day/week/lifetime to stay up with her "to do" list. There is always another quilt or story begging to steal away attention from the others. When she has a spare moment she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and their families, and her fairy princess granddaughter.

Her latest release, Cowboy Cupid, is available for Amazon and Nook and other ebook formats. Stay up to date with book releases at her website http://aileenfish.com or on Facebook.

You're Invited!

Today, we have a very special invitation for you: Join us for our Valentine Party on Facebook! We have prepared two hours brimming with fun things and prizes!

Here's your chance: You can win free e-books and plenty of other prizes, like chocolate (hmmm!) or Amazon gift cards (our grand prize is an Amazon gift card for $100!).

But just as important, you can also remember your fondest Valentine moments and share them with us. Of course you can also tell us about the worst moments, and we'll commiserate with you - because a bad experience loses its sting if you can share it with friends and eventually even laugh about it.

Come on over, join in the games, invite your friends along, and maybe you'll even find a new favorite author and your perfect sweet romance read during the party . . . because that's what Valentine's Day is all about - finding the right match!

We're looking forward to seeing you at our Sweet Romance Reads' Facebook page! If you don't know where that is, click here!

My Cliched Valentine by Melinda Curtis

Valentine's Day holds special meaning for me.  It was my grandfather's birthday, so I'll forever associate it with cake!  But - and not to sound like a cliché, but I am - it's also the day my husband proposed to me 30 years ago. Yes, we have to go back in time.  Back before the age of the internet, cell phones, and smart phones.

It was a weekday.  We were both in college.  I'd come home from school tired and not enthused about going out on our date.  I'd just spent most of the night before finishing a paper and studying for a test. (Need I mention that back then I had to type it on a typewriter with white out for corrections? Kids today have it so easy...backspace, backspace, backspace.)  Anyway, we were having one of those cold spells that occasionally hits Northern California and the temperature that afternoon had yet to hit 50 degrees (no snorts from the North American peanut gallery, please).  In short, I wouldn't have minded not dressing up, ordering pizza, and zoning out on my couch with my man. 

I hear Mr. Curtis' car drive up and I'm still in jeans and a sweatshirt.  I open the door, preparing to either convince him we should stay in or bite the bullet and go out.  He's standing there holding flowers and a balloon bouquet.  He dropped to one knee and proposed.  I think I might have screamed.  Mr. Curtis claims I did, but I don't remember.  Needless to say, I found the energy and enthusiasm to go out to dinner, followed by ring shopping.  Who cared if I was brain dead?  Who cared if it was cold?

Ten years and three kids later on Valentine's Day, I came home from work to find a babysitter in my living room.  My husband took me to dinner and then the jewelry store, bravely offering to upgrade my diamond chip to a more respectable diamond ring.  Yes, ladies, he's a keeper.

I hope you keep an open mind when it comes to that special man in your life.  You should never be too tired, too cold, or too unenthusiastic for Valentine's Day.  Your man might just surprise you.

Melinda Curtis writes the Harmony Valley series of sweet romances for the Harlequin Heartwarming line. Brenda Novak says: “Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf”.  Melinda also writes independently published, hotter romances as Mel Curtis. Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: “Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood's Golden Age except a lot hotter.”  Melinda is married to her college sweetheart, and has three kids in college.  She follows the NFL because one young quarterback is from her hometown, and follows Duke basketball because Mr. Curtis has a man crush on Coach K.

That All Important Element of a Good Romance-THE MEET by Lyn Cote

Today I’m blogging about written romance and real romance. As an author, a compelling MEET for my hero and heroine is a challenge. And in my own life I know I’ll never forget MEETING my husband. (He's the guy grinning in the photo!)

So let’s talk reality first. Initially met my husband at a church singles New Year’s Eve Party. I did not feel drawn to him that night. But a few weeks later, he visited our church again for a Sunday evening service and WHOA! Everywhere I looked in our church’s fellowship hall, it was like a bright light shone behind him. Not anyone else. Just him. I kept blinking and looking around but the bright light was only around him. I took it as a sign. I’ve never experienced anything like it before or since.

Needless to say we connected that night and were secretly engaged a month later and married nine months later. We did it the old fashioned way—fell in love, got engaged and then married within a year. And we’re still together over 35 years later. We recently visited my dh’s friend who invited him to that singles New Year’s Eve Party and who subsequently was our best man. Lovely memories. If you’d like to read more stories like this, click here for a free Kindle ebook titled: How I Met My Husband. Two dozen romance authors share their MEET stories.

So how did you MEET your true love? Or do you have a classic MEET in a favorite romance? DO TELL!

~*~

Since her first Love Inspired romance debuted in 1998, Lyn Cote has written over 35 books. A RITA finalist and a Carol Award winner, Lyn writes contemporary romance and historical. Her brand is "Strong Women, Brave Stories." Visit her website/blog at http://www.LynCote.net and find her on Facebook, GoodReads and Twitter.

~*~

Lyn's latest release, Heartland Courtship, debuts on February 4th from Love Inspired Historical.

About writing meets in fiction, Lyn says: "When I write a romance, I try to come up with a unique and also a very personalized MEET. I want it to showcase their personalities and coming conflict. In my newest release, my heroine arrives in a frontier town by river boat and is shocked when the captain abandons an unconscious and feverish man on shore. In a town without a doctor, she with the help of her cousin take him home in hopes of saving him."