Celebrate Love Year Round

Many romance authors, and readers, don’t like Valentine’s Day, and I am definitely one of them. It’s not the holiday itself that I have issues with. I love the idea of a day devoted to love. I’m a loveaholic. I wouldn’t write and almost exclusively read these kind of stories, if I didn’t love love. Its more how the world perceives the romance industry, especially on February 14th, that I don’t like.

During this month there will be a hundred new articles put out, discussing why people love romance, is it good for you, is it bad for you, does it set unrealistic expectations, is it empowering, it’s enough to make me want to pull my hair out. While some of the articles are can be interesting and even insightful, most are more demeaning and annoying than offer any real value.

Even more infuriating are the bookstores, that suddenly realize that romance exists on February first, even though it is one of the bestselling genres all year long. They pull out romance novels, almost all with red and soft sweet pink covers and feature them prominently in the store, as if no one could find the romance section on their own if they wanted a sweet valentine’s day read. I know it is all meant in good fun, and it is nice to see romance books highlighted in a bookstore, but it would be nice to see them get their praise more than a few weeks a year.

If you’re like me, and Valentine’s Day has become tainted for you, here are a few other holidays that you can celebrate focused on love, but without all the pomp of that other holiday.

Earth Day/Arbor Day – Instead of just focusing on your love for one person, how about love for the entire world. Show some love for our planet. Instead of giving flowers or chocolates, plant a tree with your sweetie. The privacy and shade it offers might be a great places to get frisky.

Fourth of July – Instead of seeing fireworks from a kiss, witness the real thing. Celebrate your love surrounded by fireworks, hot dogs and usually some good drinks. Its everything that a great date can offer without any chalky candy hearts or singing teddy bears.

National Loving Day (July 22) – This day celebrates the supreme court verdict in Loving verse the state of Virginia, and the beauty of interracial relationships. I can’t think of a better day to celebrate love, then in honor of a couple who were willing to do anything to be together, even fight the very state they lived in. If that isn’t devotion, I don’t know what is.

International Friendship Day (July 30) – Not all love is romantic love. Friendship is just as important, and for many might be more valuable or longer lasting than romantic love. I can’t think of a day more filled with love, than a day devoted to the people that stand by you through thick and thin, through each first kiss and every subsequent break up.

National Hugging Day (January 21) –There is not better way to show your love than with a good hug. Whether its to a partner, a friend, a family member or just another human that needs some affection and support, hugs really are the international language of love. More than kisses, or dancing, hugs convey love and affection to so many. What could be better than a day celebrating so much caring?

National Love People Day (September 30) – How could a day devoted to loving everyone not be filled with more affection than any other day of the year? Spend the day showing everyone, from the barista at Starbucks, to your coworkers, to your honey, to anyone you meant, show them all the love you have in your heart. Not only will you bring a little more joy into their lives, you might also find your own heart expanded from all the affection you receive in return. Not just from one person, but from everyone.

These are just a few of the holidays you can celebrate this year, if you don’t want to get sucked into the Valentine’s Day craziness but you still want to celebrate love in all its forms. Because who doesn’t want to celebrate all the good things love brings you, all the different types of love in your life, without having to fill your shopping cart with red and pink hearts. I know I do.

And if you do feel like you want to get in that valentine’s mood, check out my book Heart’s Ultimatum, and read how Krista plans to make this Valentine’s Day the best one yet, but her boyfriend James manages to screw it all up, and possibly their whole relationship. It will be only $0.99 from February 14th through February 16th at Bookstrand.com

Buy Link: Heart's Ultimatum (MF) - BookStrand | Bestselling Erotic Romance eBooks

Blurb : Krista Matthews has been in love with James for two years, but he's never mentioned commitment. After she plans him the ultimate naughty Valentine's Day surprise, and he doesn't say those three magical words, she knows it's time to move on.

She may be plushy and curvy, but she still deserves someone who loves her for all she is. Wounded by the past, James Peterson became principal at a new school to escape his mistakes. What he never anticipated was meeting someone as amazing as Krista. She fits him in every way—except her need for a ring. When she dishes out a Valentine's Day ultimatum—give her more or end their relationship—all those old fears come racing back.

Does James have the courage to face his past for the woman he loves? Or will he lose her on principle?

My Top 5 Favorite Valentine's Day Television Episodes

As a romance author it's probably not a big surprise that I love love. I love love stories. I love any romance. If I'm watching an action movie, I want the hero to grab the woman he's been fighting beside and give her a good kiss. If I'm watching a sport, after they make the big goal, I want the player to point to the stands and send a thank you to their significant other in the crowd. 

So it's probably not a big surprise that I love some love in my tv shows. And even more so around this time of year. Here are my favorite Valentine's Day episodes from some of wonderful tv shows and amazing couples that I always go to when I need a little more love in my day.

1. Parks and Recreation "Operation Ann" - In this episode while running a Valentine's Day dance, the Parks and Rec Team also try to find a new beau for Ann. But this is not the part of the episode I love the most. Leslie, as a Valentine's Day gift to Ben, sets up a scavenger hunt all about town. The relationship between the two of them is so sweet, even though they spend most of the episode on their own journeys. And the acceptance and love they have for each other, and exactly who they are, is so beautiful, it makes me love them as a couple even more every time I watch it.

2. The Office "Blood Drive" - While this episode is not as traditionally romantic as some of the others, I love the other side of Valentine's Day that this episode explores. Not the story of an established couple that is having a wonderful night together, or even a couple enjoying the first their Valentine's together, instead this episode shows the other sides of a romance. That excitement and elation over meeting someone new, someone you feel you have a great connection with. And the disappointment when that new possible romance doesn't quite work out. And it has some public nookie as well, which you know I have a soft spot for.

3. The Big Bang Theory "The Valentino Submergence" - With almost all of the Big Bang characters in long committed relationships at this point in the show, this episode is tons of fun. Not only do we get to see all our characters at their most romantic, but they are also their most true to themselves. Instead of planning a big Valentine's celebration, Amy and Sheldon do what they love to do best. Create a special Valentine's Day episode of Fun With Flags. Bernadette and Howard enjoy time at home. And my favorite story line of all is Penny and Leonard, who show when Valentine's Day goes awry (which happens more often than not, in my experience), yet they still have a great time together, even if it only fries and hamburgers in their car, instead of the fancy fine dining experience they planned. 

4. Abbott Elementary "Valentine's Day" - This episode doesn't necessarily show a beautiful romantic gesture or event like some other shows, yet in some ways this episode shows an even more beautiful love story between these characters than it ever could with a date or a dance. While Janine and Gregory aren't in a romantic place in this episode, the gifts they give their significant others and the sweet way they treat them, just shows how truly well matched they are for each other. There is nothing that makes my romantic loving heart go pitter pat more than seeing two people that are clearly meant to be together, yet are separated by circumstance. And this episode, and really the entire tv show, displays that beautifully. I can't wait until these two are finally able to be together, I know it will be so special when they finally make that change. And this episode shows exactly why.

5. Modern Family "My Funky Valentine" - In true Modern Family fashion, every one of the story lines in this episode are hilarious. From Jay and Gloria banter, to Cameron and Mitchell trying to console Manny through his romantic qualms, there are so many reason to laugh. But by far my favorite storyline is Claire and Phil's. As a married couple who have been together for some time, they decide to meet up and pretend to be other people for a little Valentine's adventure. While I probably would have picked spicier characters if I were them (like a naughty student and professor or devilish billionaire and his shy assistant) I love this idea. The fun they have with each other is so wonderful, and shows how much they really love each other and how well suited they are for each other. And of course, running into her dad and his new wife at the very end is so hilarious I want to start laughing just thinking about it. 

If you like some good role playing on Valentine's Day, with a little extra spice, you should check out my book Heart's Ultimatum, that starts out exactly that way. With a little sexy fun between two people that truly love each other, until it all comes tumbling down...

And it will be on sale for only $0.99 from February 14th through the 16th. If you haven't read this book before, and you enjoy role playing, sex in a public place, and a whole lot of vulnerability between two people that love each other, but are struggling to make that love work after too much heart break, this is definitely the book for you. 

Buy Link: Heart's Ultimatum (MF) - BookStrand | Bestselling Erotic Romance eBooks