Ready to party? I’m thrilled to be kicking off the Romancing February blog tour here at For the Love of Writing. OMG—is it February already? Wow and yay! Though it’s a bit nippier than anyone on the Gulf Coast anticipated, the sun’s shining and this month we celebrate my favorite holiday!
I knew Valentine’s Day was special even before I had someone special to celebrate it with. It always gave me the same wonderful, tingly anticipation that reminds me of golden champagne bubbles rushing to the surface. Still I smile over the elementary school days when everyone got a white paper bag with their name for cards and candy. Being the sappy sentimental sort, I saved mine, of course…the bags and the cards ;) Valentine’s Day is also the anniversary of that sweet moment exactly three years ago when my DH got down on his knee and proposed. Even at that moment when I said “Yes!” I had no idea he and I would grow together as perfectly and strongly as we have.
Yet as the years have passed, I’ve come to understand what Valentine’s is all about. I love flowers. I really, really do. Almost as much as I love flowers, I love those heart candies and the big red heart-shaped lollipops. And jewelry…well, a girl can never have enough of it…especially in regard to diamonds. I do love me some diamonds. But let’s blink the stars from our eyes and think for a moment. What’s all the fuss about to begin with?
The most popular legend goes like this: in the third century, a Roman emperor by the name of Claudius outlawed marriages for young men, his prospective soldiers, determined in his belief that it would make his army more powerful without distraction or weakness. When it was discovered that a priest called Valentine was still marrying young lovers on the sly, he was sentenced to death. In honor of that noble sacrifice, he was later martyred by the Christian church as Saint Valentine. I’d say he earned a day to be celebrated in his name!
The History Channel seems to have gone all out for February with movie guides, trivia, videos, and games. You can join the fun and learn more about the history of Valentine’s at http://www.history.com/minisites/valentine/. I enjoyed reading quotes, love letters from presidents, and a list of the greatest couples throughout history.
Okay, now that the lesson’s over we can move onto the fun! In February 2003 while watching my favorite television show The Bachelorette (Trista and Ryan 4-eva!), a DeBeers diamond commercial aired. Since, I haven’t been able to get enough of them! Here’s my five favorite DeBeers commercials (some of these are probably familiar :)
#5—I Forever Do (a.k.a. “Steps”)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBhK66_Szx8
#4—Morning Surprisehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-jOjK003Yk
#3—Stand By Mehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plg7Uw9NeDY
#2—Love Rockshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFxu1OtG-cc
#1—Declarationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXnDAPOxIKw
Anybody else have chills? I’m enjoying an early bubbly champagne moment. *BG* All right, I promised a prize. Comment to this post, tell me about your favorite real-life Valentine’s moment or even link your favorite Valentine’s commercial. At the end of the day I’ll draw names for the big prize, a free e-copy of my debut novel, romantic adventure Fox & Hound:
In the world's most romantic city, fates collide in the most unexpected way and two of the world's most elusive jewel thieves are forever changed by a Louvre heist gone wrong.
I knew Valentine’s Day was special even before I had someone special to celebrate it with. It always gave me the same wonderful, tingly anticipation that reminds me of golden champagne bubbles rushing to the surface. Still I smile over the elementary school days when everyone got a white paper bag with their name for cards and candy. Being the sappy sentimental sort, I saved mine, of course…the bags and the cards ;) Valentine’s Day is also the anniversary of that sweet moment exactly three years ago when my DH got down on his knee and proposed. Even at that moment when I said “Yes!” I had no idea he and I would grow together as perfectly and strongly as we have.
Yet as the years have passed, I’ve come to understand what Valentine’s is all about. I love flowers. I really, really do. Almost as much as I love flowers, I love those heart candies and the big red heart-shaped lollipops. And jewelry…well, a girl can never have enough of it…especially in regard to diamonds. I do love me some diamonds. But let’s blink the stars from our eyes and think for a moment. What’s all the fuss about to begin with?
The most popular legend goes like this: in the third century, a Roman emperor by the name of Claudius outlawed marriages for young men, his prospective soldiers, determined in his belief that it would make his army more powerful without distraction or weakness. When it was discovered that a priest called Valentine was still marrying young lovers on the sly, he was sentenced to death. In honor of that noble sacrifice, he was later martyred by the Christian church as Saint Valentine. I’d say he earned a day to be celebrated in his name!
The History Channel seems to have gone all out for February with movie guides, trivia, videos, and games. You can join the fun and learn more about the history of Valentine’s at http://www.history.com/minisites/valentine/. I enjoyed reading quotes, love letters from presidents, and a list of the greatest couples throughout history.
Okay, now that the lesson’s over we can move onto the fun! In February 2003 while watching my favorite television show The Bachelorette (Trista and Ryan 4-eva!), a DeBeers diamond commercial aired. Since, I haven’t been able to get enough of them! Here’s my five favorite DeBeers commercials (some of these are probably familiar :)
#5—I Forever Do (a.k.a. “Steps”)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBhK66_Szx8
#4—Morning Surprisehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-jOjK003Yk
#3—Stand By Mehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plg7Uw9NeDY
#2—Love Rockshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFxu1OtG-cc
#1—Declarationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXnDAPOxIKw
Anybody else have chills? I’m enjoying an early bubbly champagne moment. *BG* All right, I promised a prize. Comment to this post, tell me about your favorite real-life Valentine’s moment or even link your favorite Valentine’s commercial. At the end of the day I’ll draw names for the big prize, a free e-copy of my debut novel, romantic adventure Fox & Hound:
In the world's most romantic city, fates collide in the most unexpected way and two of the world's most elusive jewel thieves are forever changed by a Louvre heist gone wrong.
After three years in prison, Todd goes after the woman who ruined his life, seeking revenge and the diamond she stole from him. He learns that Celestia doesn't have the diamond either. She was used by her partner, master thief Tito Bandero.
Todd and Celestia form an unlikely partnership to take back what is theirs and redeem themselves. Bandero is planning to steal three of the world's most coveted diamonds, but the ones he wronged—Fox and Hound—plot to take them first.
What Todd and Celestia don't count on? The power of attraction. When the quest grows dangerous, which will they choose: payback or each other?
“Outstanding Read” —Simply Romance
“Smokin’ hot!” —Long & Short Reviews
Paris, romance, diamonds, a hot Texan hero capable of charming a stubborn lady like Celestia down to her toes… February’s looking a little warmer already!
For commenters who wish to post anonymously, please leave a name. I will post again after ten o’clock central time tonight to announce the winner so stop back by. To continue Romance February’s month-long party and win more prizes (and have a chance to win a $75-dollar gift card from The Wild Rose Press at the end of the month), be sure to follow the fun to fellow romance author Ann Campbell’s blog tomorrow:
Paris, romance, diamonds, a hot Texan hero capable of charming a stubborn lady like Celestia down to her toes… February’s looking a little warmer already!
For commenters who wish to post anonymously, please leave a name. I will post again after ten o’clock central time tonight to announce the winner so stop back by. To continue Romance February’s month-long party and win more prizes (and have a chance to win a $75-dollar gift card from The Wild Rose Press at the end of the month), be sure to follow the fun to fellow romance author Ann Campbell’s blog tomorrow:
HAPPY FEBRUARY!!!
