Trifecta…Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, Book Release

Happy Belated Mardi Gras! – Happy Early Valentine’s Day!

Since my monthly blog date falls in between two holidays, I thought we should have a three day party!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!  Let the good times roll!  Mardi Gras, one of my favorite holidays is definitely celebrated in my family.

Even Duffy gets into the act with his Dragon Costume!

I hosted a Mardi Gras party and had the king cake flown in from Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans.  Look who found the baby!  That makes it official...I'll be hosting again next year :)

My Valentine’s Day is still a mystery but I was informed it will be "complete with pink champagne and a surprise dessert!"

Since I write romance, I am always interested in everyone's Valentine’s Day stories.  And this year I’d love to hear yours.

My favorite wasn't the day as much as it was the gift…a lop-eared bunny I named Arizona Tesla. She was the sweetest creature.  Sadly she is no longer with me, but she will always remain my most special Valentine.

What was your best, worst, funniest, most memorable Valentine's Day?

Continuing on the celebratory path, tonight I will be web chatting about my debut book, BETTING ON TEXAS.  

Join in the fun for a chance to win a signed copy of 

BETTING ON TEXAS!

Mo’s Book Buzz 9:00 PM EST

at

www.romrevtoday.com

Click the RRT Chat button and choose Mo’s Book Buzz.  

No passwords are needed, just your name.

BETTING ON TEXAS officially releases on March 5th, but you can pick up a copy sooner directly from Harlequin® at www.harlequin.com.

And remember...commenting on any of the American Romance blogs automatically enters you in the monthly drawing for one of our books!

Amanda Renee
Betting on Texas (March 2013)
Home to the Cowboy (August 2013)
Legacy of a Lone Star (Early 2014)
www.amandarenee.com
www.twitter.com/TheAmandaRenee
www.facebook.com/AmandaReneeFanPage

A Sweet Sewing Project

Wouldn't these cute 'n' cosy slippers make a great gift for your Valentine?

I found the pattern here at Craftsy.com and just had to share.

They would be so quick and easy to make for yourself or to give as a gift. I think they'd also be fun to have on hand for overnight guests, who could then take home and have a lovely memento of their visit.

Happy crafting!

Until next time,
Lee
www.leemckenzie.com
The Christmas Secret (November 2011)
The Daddy Project (TBA)
Daddy, Unexpectedly (TBA)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ah, Valentine's. The day our thoughts turn to chocolate and hearts and flowers and chocolate and love and chocolate and romance...and the authors here on the Harlequin American Romance Blog wish their readers an abundance of all those things!

On Saturday I celebrated at a luncheon with fellow romance writers in my local chapter of Romance Writers of America. This is always a special occasion and I look forward to it every year. This year was really fun because I was on the decorating committee.

I filled my favorite vintage milk glass bowls (I have three of them) with red carnations to use as centerpieces. With the black and white table linens, black-and-white printed paper, votice candles, and chocolate hearts wrapped in red foil, I was going for understated yet elegant. What do you think?

Do you do something special to celebreate Valentine's Day? If so, please share the love!

Until next time,
Lee
The Wedding Bargain (January 2011)
Visit Lee's website!

ROMANTIC QUOTES

I don’t have much to blog about today. I’m busy trying to make a Feb 15 deadline. But I was reading our local paper this morning with breakfast and there was an article about Valentine’s Day and some favorite romantic movie quotes. They caught my attention and I thought I’d share some with you.

This one goes right to the heart.
"I’d rather spend a lifetime with you then to live all the ages of this world alone."
Arwen
Lord of the Rings

Ah, true love.
"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with a person, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
Harry
When Harry Met Sally

What romance novels are all about.
"You make me wanna be a better man."
Melvin Udall
As Good as it Gets

This quote is true in life; not just on Valentine’s Day.
"A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others."
The Wizard
The Wizard of Oz

This next quote fits the book I’m writing. The hero and heroine are on opposite sides of a legal matter but love finds a way to bring them together.
"Even if we never speak again after tonight, please know that I’m forever changed because of who you are and what you’ve meant to me…"
Holden McNeil
Chasing Amy

And my favorite…
You should be kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how."
Rhett Butler
Gone With the Wind

Gotta love Rhett. I never got what Scarlett saw in the wimpy Ashley.

Do you have a favorite quote? Or which is your favorite from the above?

Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day filled with love.


Linda
www.lindawarren.net
Skylar’s Outlaw Jan ‘10

Frugal Valentines

I loved Linda's post about how she met her husband. Valentine's is one of my favorite holidays for any number of reasons. Obviously, as a romance writer I love a holiday that celebrates romance. But Valentine's Day is a feel-good holiday that embraces all kinds of love -- parents for children, friends for friends and neighbors. You can give Valentine's Day cards to anyone who is special in your life, not just your sweetheart.

I also like Valentine's Day because celebrating the day does not require extravagant expense. Sure, you can spring for a dozen roses and bling, but I think the best Valentine's Day gifts are homemade cards and home-baked brownies.

The holiday has a long tradition of homemade cards, from Victorian lace concoctions to a child's construction paper heart.

A friend of mine once made a card that consisted of three photographs of herself. In each photo she was holding a red heart made of poster board with a single word. The pictures in succession spelled out I Love You. This would be cute to do with children, also. I once made a card that consisted of hearts taped together accordian style. On each heart was written something I loved about my husband.

If your special someone likes crossword puzzles, you can make a free crossword puzzle that uses your words and clues here.

I've also cut photos into puzzle pieces that had to be reassembled for an interactive card.

Of all the cards I've made my husband, my favorite was one I fashioned from the cover of a romance novel (One purchased at a used book store for the purpose -- I couldn't bear to cut up a new book). I chose a gorgeous historical romance cover with a woman in an elaborate dress and the long-haired, shirtless hero. I cut out the faces and substituted pictures of my husband and myself. Then I wrote something about him always being my hero. (Now I could use one of my own cover flats, but this was before I was published.)

What fun and creative things have you done for Valentine's Day? And has a romance novel ever inspired your celebration?

Love Letters

There aren’t many things more special than a love letter. The only thing that might make it extra special would be a postmark from, oh, let’s say . . . the village of love. Love, Saskatchewan, that is. Population: 55.

Yes, it’s a real place, located on the Canadian prairie, about 225 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon. Just follow the signs.

You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the heart-shaped welcome sign that proclaims “You are now in Love.”

For years people have been making the trip to this small village so they could mail a special letter or a Valentine and have it postmarked from Love. As requests for this service began to increase, former postmistress Pauline McKinnon suggested to Canada Post that Love should have its very own cancellation stamp. She came up with a design and Canada Post agreed.

Visit the blog of wedding photographer Kirstie Tweed to see a photo of the postmark and to read a romantic little story about a bride and groom’s pre-wedding trip to Love.

Love’s current postmistress, Joanne Munroe, has kept up the tradition and she receives hundreds of requests every year. To have your Valentines, love letters or even your wedding invitations postmarked from Love, simply send them to the Love post office. The envelope can be pre-stamped if you have Canadian postage, or you can include an international reply coupon. Then mail them to:

The Postmistress
Love Post Office
Love, SK S0J 1P0
CANADA

Thinking about making the trip yourself? Wondering what to do while you’re in Love?

If you plan to be there in February, you can take in the annual Valentine Winter Festival, beginning with a pancake breakfast, followed by competitions ranging from pillow fighting to trap setting, and ending with an evening cabaret at the community center. Just be prepared for winter weather on the Canadian prairie!

At any time of year you can stop for coffee at Cupid’s Café or shop for gifts and antiques at The Love Barn.

And of course you’ll want to stop by the post office and mail that special letter. From Love. With love.

Lee
www.leemckenzie.com
thewritersideoflife.blogspot.com