Valentine’s Day encompasses romance for all ages. People go out of their way to show their affection for the one they love with flowers, candy, perhaps a special meal. Just how did this day come to be?
Valentine’s Day can be traced back to the third century when Emperor Claudius III of Rome decided young men made better soldiers than those with wives and families to care for. Valentine, a young man who preached the word, felt this was injustice at its worst. He defied the emperor and secretly performed marriages for young lovers in secret. Once his actions were discovered, the emperor ordered he be put to death.
Today, we honor his memory by celebrating romance with the one we love. To honor St. Valentine, Solstice Publishing presents Cupid’s Arrow Vol. 2, a collection of tales of love.
An essence of bliss makes everything delicious.
Her last word before kissing him was, “Hush.”
Never say never...
She's not your grandmother's matchmaker.
Separated by the winds of war
They meet time after time…
Can love possibly come again?
Real life isn't a fairy tale... or is it?
Love is a wonderful spell.
Love is a special feeling between couples. The sweetness of caring deeply for each other. A waterfall of romance is brought to you E.B. Sullivan, Jeffery Martin Botzenhart, A.A. Schenna, Adam Zorzi, K.C. Sprayberry, A.J. Kohler, Veronica Peters, Noelle Myers, and Palvi Sharma
Welcome to Romance Week hosted by the cast of Justice Burning and Dysfunction Junction! Every day this week different characters will
be sharing their tips and ideas on how to have the sweetest and/or most
romantic Valentine’s Day.
There is also a contest to win 1 of 3 prize packs containing
books and music. Be sure to check out the contest and enter at the bottom of
the post.
Today, we welcome firefighter Ash McLeod from Justice Burning,
book 1 in the Heroes in Justice Series and Kianna Ravencamp from Dysfunction Junction, book 1 in the Dream Big Series.
Trisha Yearwood, my cast as Kianna Ravencamp
Welcome Ash, it's nice to meet you. This is your first time to guest host on the blog, isn't it? Yeah, it's nice to finally meet you, Kianna. I've heard a lot about you. All good, I hope? Oh, just that you're a fantastic song writer on the verge of her big break. Which I have to say is very cool. I'm a major music junkie. Wow, thanks. I'm still working on my song craft, but I always love hanging with another music junkie. I hear we've been tasked with creating the ULTIMATE play list for Valentine's Day. Think you're up for the challenge? Firefighters are always up for a challenge. Do you have 8 hours to spend creating this list? Because that would just be a start. Don't I know it! I think we should put all our top favorites in a YouTube Play list. That's a good start, but you have to know your audience to know how to craft the best play list. Oh-ho! Listen to you get all technical! I love it. Okay, so what categories of play lists should we go with?
Jesse Metcalfe, my cast as Ash McLeod
Country music is big around here in Justice. And you have to have a list of classics like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. They're in a special class of their own. Really? I'm surprised you like the classics. You have good taste, I think we're going to get along well. We should include the modern retro artists too, like Michael Buble and Norah Jones. Plus, I think there should be a Power Ballad list and a list of Current Pop hits. Okay, pop quiz: I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton or Whitney Houston? I have to choose? Can't I say both and put them in two categories? I see that our list is going to be especially long... Oh come on, there are a lot of great versions of the same song. Like, The Power of Love is an amazing song. I love Huey Lewis and The News version, but then Celine Dion blows it away too. So we'll include both when we can't agree on who's is better? Deal!
10 Country Sparkin' Songs
*How Do I Live Without You - Trisha Yearwood
*Amazed - Lonestar
*Breathe - Faith Hill
*I Swear - John Michael Montgomery
*It's Your Love - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
*When You Say Nothing At All - Alison Krauss
*I Cross My Heart - George Strait
*To Make You Love Me - Garth Brooks
*Everything to Me - Brad Paisley
*Soulmate - Josh Turner (Nice title, Kianna...)
10 Classic Crooners
*I've Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra
*Cheek to Cheek - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
*Sway - Dean Martin
*My Funny Valentine - Etta James
*'Til The End Of Time - Perry Como
*When You Say You Love Me - Josh Groban
*Home - Michael Buble
*It Had to Be You - Harry Connick, Jr.
*Unforgettable - Natalie Cole with Nat "King" Cole
*The Nearness of You - Norah Jones
10 Power Ballads
*I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore - REO Speedwagon
*Everything I Do I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
*I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
*I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
*Faithfully - Journey
*Making Love Out of Nothing At All - Air Supply
*You're The Inspiration - Chicago
*Open Arms - Journey
*Take My Breath Away - Berlin
*Glory of Love - Peter Cetera
10 Modern Love Songs
*A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
*All Of Me - John Legend
*Still Into You - Paramore
*No One - Alicia Keyes
*This I Promise You - NSYNC
*Marry You - Bruno Mars
*One and Only - Adele
*Now Comes the Night - Rob Thomas
*I Do Cherish You - 98 degrees
*I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
There are still so many we haven't put on a list! How about a few hidden gems?
10 Noteworthy Numbers
*How Deep Is Your Love - BeeGees
*I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden
*With Arms Wide Open - Creed
*You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins
*I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
*My Girl - The Temptations
*Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
*Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
*I See The Light - Peter Hollens & Evynne Hollens
*If - Bread
Well, there's 50 songs to get everyone started on creating the right play list for their sweetheart. There are soooo many more I'm sure this will just be the spark people need to help them remember all the great songs they love. Sparks are not a fireman's friend, but in this case, I'm happy to help start the fire. Remember when creating a play list to consider the message the song conveys and use that to tell your Valentine exactly what you can't say in your own words. Music crosses many barriers and speaks to all souls. My, your waters run deep, Ash McLeod. How do you keep all the girls away? Deep waters, hmm, who knew? My turnout gear must keep it in check. Thanks for swapping songs with me. Happy Valentine's Day, Kianna. Thanks, handsome, Happy Valentine's to you too. I'll swap songs with you anytime.
Don't forget to enter the Valentine's Day Super Romance Giveawayfor a chance to win 1 of 3 prize bundles! Be sure to share this with all your friends and loved ones too, who knows it just might make your day!
To enter, simply fill out the entry form below and complete at least one option to be entered. Complete additional options for extra entries. Good Luck!
Be sure to visit Susanne Matthews at Living the Dream to read more about her Romantic Suspense The Harvester Series. A sensual romantic suspense series that will take you "From the streets of Boston to the wilds of Alaska..." Love beyond this world? For something out of the ordinary, try A.B. Funkhauser's Award Winning post mortem mortuary romance complete with happy ending! HEUER LOST AND FOUND
Visit Author Mary Ann Cortez at her blog The Write Place and enter to WIN an autographed copy of First Love anthology and a bookmark with heart charm.
That magic moment for a teen. The realization that the person you’ve liked is a little more than a friend. Chance meetings. Old friendships. Even a social media post. These can all lead to that first love. Solstice Publishing is proud to present First Love, a Summer Solstive Valentine's Day Anthology.
Thanks for entering Hilary, enjoy your book, music and jewelry!
A big thank you to the all the rest of you who entered. You can find links to buy my book by following the tab at the top of the blog. For more information on our original music, visit www.TheErwins.com.
And if you loved 'Rissa's Bracelet', then be sure to check out the rest of Angel's Divine Designs on Etsy. She also takes custom orders.
Song Stuck on the Brain: Put a Little Love in Your Heart by .... I don't know. There are several names listed for this song, and none of them are who I hear in my head. I have no idea who's version I'm singing.
Will you be my Valentine?
I bet you're all wondering why I haven't posted the new contest yet. Or maybe you're not. Either way, wonder no more, cuz here it is. For one week only, enter to win an autographed copy of my book Missing Pieces, along with a very cute and useful magnetic puzzle frame. I'll announce the winner on Valentine's Day. Just click the link at the top of the sidebar to email me your entry. Don't forget to share the love, let your friends and family in on the fun too.
My Valentine's Date
On a more unusual note, I've found the solution to being single. At least one I can live with. I know it's nothing new, so don't expect any earth shattering announcements, but I've decided to take my fantasy life one step further. Rather than just admire the good looking men on tv, I'm going to pick the best character and date him... in my head. Think about it. All the warm fuzzy feelings, no drama.
I love surprises. At least, I love GOOD surprises, and last night I had a great surprise. I spent Valentine’s Day at a friend’s house. When I came home, I found Cards placed throughout my house. The one in the kitchen was a Valentine from my dog Jack. He’d enclosed a mocha lip balm. Very sweet of him.
The card on the dining room table was signed “Love, D.K.” and had dangly amethyst cube earrings. The card next to my bed had a different flavor of chap stick and was signed by Lance Bass. The fourth card was signed by Tom Welling and held diamond studs.
Now before you write me off as a completely psychotic stalker, there’s really a very funny explanation. And it’s all based on my weird dreams.
About a month ago, I dreamed that I was being romantically pursued by Clark Kent (played by Tom Welling) and Charlie Epps (played by David Krumholtz on Numb3rs). I couldn’t decide between the two since they’re both such ‘wonderful guys’. So, as a test I told them each to make me a pair of earrings that they had designed themselves. Charlie made amethyst and diamond cube shaped studs with my initial etched on the diamond front. They were very pretty and I knew that it was all very ‘mathematical’. Now Clark made me diamond studs by compressing the coal in his fists and then setting them with his laser vision. (I know, total throw back to the ‘engagement’ episode.) Anyway, I loved both pair of earrings and I still couldn’t choose between them. Finally, Lana Lang came along and took Clark back which left me with Charlie and I was quite happy with that ending.
When I told my sister this dream, she laughed hysterically. See, it’s not uncommon for me to dream about famous people I find attractive, like Lance Bass, however Angel thinks that I’m absolutely crazy to find David Krumholtz attractive. The fact that I ‘chose’ him subconsciously over Tom Welling just floored her. So as a fun little trick, she decided that I should get a Valentine from ‘all the men in my life’. To top it off I’ve been finding little chocolates tucked in all my drawers.
It was so much fun and made for a great Valentines Day.
That's my fantasy and I'm sticking to it.
