2/13/25 – 💕Love is in the air… and candy isn’t too far behind!

Hey there happy reader,

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and for a romance writer that’s like the Superbowl and New Year’s Eve all rolled into one very sweet holiday! Did you know that in the week leading up to this day of love, Americans will consume fifty-eight million pounds of chocolate?!?!?

While most of us celebrate with flowers and candy hearts, the actual day was meant as a tribute to St. Valentine of Terni. 

In the late 5^th century, Pope Gelasius declared February 14^th as a day of remembrance for this man who secretly married men and women after Emperor Claudius banned these unions, wanting to keep his soldiers dedicated to him instead. It wasn’t until the 14^th century when the holiday became associated with romantic love.

Then, in 1861 Richard Cadbury, the son of the founder of the British chocolate company of the same name, created heart-shaped boxes of their confections, decorated with Cupids and rosebuds, popular symbols of romance to this very day.

And before you could say, “will you be my valentine?” a celebration was born!

For many, Valentine’s Day is just another Hallmark holiday. 

For some, it becomes a target date to become engaged or to get married. In recent years, “Galentine’s Day” has been celebrated as a way for women to spend some time with their bestie. Whatever you do or however you celebrate, just know that it’s the perfect day to indulge in something decadent… I for one always opt for dark chocolate and a glass of very good Pinot Noir!

This Valentine’s Day I plan to be deeply immersed in writing. I am down the rabbit hole of my latest work in progress, my Stonehenge novel. I’m at the point where that’s all I can think about. My characters are keeping me busy, even as I sleep. I keep hearing them tell me their stories. Now it’s my job to write it all down!