Shannon here: Amy R. Anguish shares insight into her real life romance and her fictional character’s romance in her Contemporary Romance Novella, Out-of-the-box Valentines. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for the four in one novella collection, Pets Amore, which includes Amy’s contribution along with three novellas by other authors. U.S. only. Deadline: Feb 22nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Amy:
Is Valentine’s Day Romantic?
My husband and I decided we were more than friends exactly one week before Valentine’s Day. I don’t know about you, but that puts some pressure on. After all, you’re still in the bliss of new love and want to make sure your person knows it.
Here’s the deal, though. When we got together, he told me “I’m not romantic.”
Well, that could be a problem. Because I love romance.
That year, I made roses for my friends out of candy kisses and red cling wrap with green pipe cleaner stems. If we knew the box number for someone, we could drop items in the campus mail and it would end up in their box later that day. No stamps required. I made a few extra flowers for my boyfriend.
Did he get me flowers? Nope.
Did he get me chocolate? Not that day.
Did he give me a kiss? No again. We didn’t kiss until several months later.
Know what I got for Valentine’s Day that year? A note. That’s right. A piece of notebook paper with some sweet words scribbled on it (and a note at the bottom that reminded me he wasn’t romantic).
You know what, though? I still have that note tucked away with several others he’s given me through the years. And it probably means more to me than the store-bought cards I get now. Because he had to put more thought it into it.
Valentine’s Day can be a very sweet holiday. In my newest story, “Out-of-the-box Valentines,” part of the Pets Amore novella collection, Ms. Winters is making sure all twenty-five of her kindergarteners have a great Valentine’s Day, full of hearts and candy and fun. But she doesn’t expect real romance for herself. Not even when Trey Jones, one of her students’ uncles, walks in and volunteers to replace her missing room mom for the day. To her, Valentine’s Day is more about making the children happy. She’s been burned too many times to expect it for herself.
I won’t tell you exactly what happens to make her Valentine’s more or less romantic before the end of the story. But let’s just say, each character has to put some thought into it. And decide what really makes Valentine’s Day special as opposed to just another day.
Do I still hope my husband will remember to do something on that day? Yes. But does it mean more when he does something on a day when it’s not expected? You better believe it.
We’ve built Valentine’s Day up to be one of the most romantic days of the year. But I think we should start a new trend. Let’s make everyday romantic! What do you think?
Question for Readers: What’s the best surprise you’ve received on Valentine’s Day? Do you prefer to
keep the holiday as something the children celebrate and ignore it in your own life?
About Amy: Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good. Learn more & connect:
About the Novella Collection:
“Out-of-the-box Valentines” by Amy R. Anguish—Kimberly Winters loves being a kindergarten teacher on Valentine’s Day. But she never expects one of her students to show up with his hamster … or his uncle. Trey Jones doesn’t mind helping out his sick sister by dropping off Rylan at school. Staying to take his sister’s place as “room mom” is a whole different deal, but how can he turn down the adorable teacher? It’s a day full of unexpected surprises for both of them, including each learning to think out of the box when it comes to romance.
“No Butts About It” by Linda Fulkerson—When real estate consultant and confirmed bachelor Charles Sterling’s brother and sister-in-law are killed in a car crash, they leave him a surprise in their will—their five-year-old daughter. Enamored by a character in a popular children’s book, the girl has one request for her uncle-turned-father: a pet goat. As Blossom Clarke struggles to fulfill her deceased father’s dream of developing her family’s property into a goat rescue center, she has no time for city dwellers. But when Charles Sterling shows up to buy a goat, that dream borders on becoming a nightmare. Especially when his company discovers her property checks off all the boxes requested by a high-power client.
“Pegboards, Parrots, and Pickup Lines” by Heather Greer—Charlotte Herring wants one thing—to prove she can succeed on her own. But to avoid failure, she needs the people of Brookview to accept her and her antique store. For years, Tyson Abbott’s only goal was to realize his father’s dreams for the family hardware store. After meeting the town’s newest resident, he adds a new goal—helping Charlotte find her place in Brookview. With a parrot named Cracker Jack paving the way for their partnership to become a romance, Charlotte and Tyson see more than the dreams for their stores coming true. But when their plans conflict and past hurts resurface, will they lose their dreams and each other?
“Snowflakes and Puppy Love” by Beth E. Westcott—When Cooper Stiles walks in the door of Archer Books, his stunning blue eyes and friendly smile pull at Brianna Kinney’s heart. He’s the first man she’s attracted to since becoming a widow. The new clerk in Robin Archer’s bookstore catches Cooper’s eye. Brianna’s love for children and her cute puppy are captivating, but he doesn’t have time for dating. His current priority is caring for his nephew and niece while their mother, his dead brother’s wife, fulfills a work commitment overseas. And he’s not going to get caught up in any more match-making.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Amy’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now!
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We always celebrate Valentine’s Day. We take turns cooking a very special dinner each year. Today is hubby’s turn, and he surprised me by making reservations at a very nice restaurant! He is very good at making me feel special. I am so thankful God put him in my path all those years ago.
Your tradition sounds so sweet. I wonder if I could talk my hubby into that …
I’m currently single so I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Valentine’s day can be for friends and other loved ones too. 😉 And there’s always the excuse to eat chocolate. Ha! Thanks for commenting.
I love Valentine’s Day because I don’t just celebrate it with my hubby, I also like to celebrate with the rest of my family. Hubby usually takes me out for dinner. Then we celebrate with the others at home with dessert and I give them small gifts. For me, it is all about expressing my love and putting a look of happiness on their faces.
That’s a wonderful tradition!