Valentine's Day!

Hello all you romantics!

To celebrate this special day with you, the Quills are going to talk about romance, chocolate, wine, flowers, movies, and – you guessed it – books!

Some of our fine Quills are unable to be here today, so I’m posting information on their behalf. Others will pop in to contribute now that this blog is online.

Yesterday, my husband brought me home some beautiful tulips. Talk about romantic! And it wasn’t even Valentine’s Day yet! Can’t wait to see what he has for me on the big day.

I have adorable little boxes of chocolates for my sons and my daughter-in-law, and a big fun sucker for my grandson.

In keeping with the holiday, here are some questions for you.

Is there anyone you buy for?
Someone who buys for you?
What’s your favorite gift to receive for Valentine’s Day?
Your most romantic date?
Your absolute favorite romantic movie and book?

For me, I’ve always loved HONOR'S SPLENDOR, by Julie Garwood. The book is wonderful in so many ways, but when I think purely romantic, as in caring for each other, sharing and tender loving, that book wins hands down.
My favorite romantic movie is... Wow. I don’t see a lot of romantic movies. I yelled downstairs to ask my husband, and he laughed.
I said, “Surely I’ve seen a romantic movie, right?”
He replied, “You? I doubt it.”
Then we thought and thought – and finally (don’t laugh) settled on Terminator. That was romantic, right? He travelled through time to get to her (okay, basically just to knock her up because his son would go on to save the world, yada yada) but still, Michael Bein!? Oh yeah. Sexy – and I guess that’s as close to a romantic movie as I get on short notice.
NOTE: After writing this, my husband and I went out and we thought of more romantic movies!
Love Actually - LOVED IT!
Music and Lyrics By - Fabulous movie!
There. Now I feel more legitimate for Valentine's Day.

Stella Cameron said: Valentine cards are a weakness of mine. This year I went mad (more mad than usual) and sent one to those I knew would never expect such a thing from me. I even sent one to the "To be announced bump" in my cousin's tummy--in England. Claire and David are expecting their first baby and are thrilled enough to fire up enthusiasm in a major city--and they don't know if this will be a boy or a girl. I'll let you know when I do. An added piece of romance for these two; they got married on a tiny beach in Kauai, without formal plans, and showed up here in Washington State a few days later. We put together a family celebration (okay, so that means all of about ten people) and had a fabulous time.

Jerry has been nursing a watch along for about a year. Every night at midnight the alarm goes off. Now since it's a very high pitched noise he doesn't seem to notice but I do!!! Sooo, I have a big surprise for him, I found a watch that does everything but clean your teeth and since I bought it at Costco, I can also chortle about getting a bargain. I love bargains.

For me, being with Jerry is all the romance I need. How much more lucky and blessed can you be than to find your soul-mate in life? We love so many of the same things, including our children, grandchildren and beloved animals. Now don't think, "What syrupy, boring stuff!" When we fight, there is a definite blue haze in the air!

Lavyrl Spencer's MORNING GLORY captured me. I still see images from that story in my mind. Will is a true hero, strong, gentle, honorable. I've read many wonderfully romantic books but this stands out. Kathryn Belmont wrote a little book called NIGHT MUSIC and again, the images were lovely. Our own Elizabeth Guest writing as Suzanne Simmons Guntrum wrote THE GOLDEN RAINTREE and stole my heart. I could go on and on but that's enough.

My favorite movies?
The Remains of the Day - subtle, filled with longing but no happy ending.
Sleepless in Seattle - lonely voices in the night, oh, my. And a fabulous ending.
Ghost - romantic and sexy.
Pride and Prejudice - swoon.
Anything Jane Austen - more swooning.
Enough blathering from me! Love to each of you on Valentine's Day!

Elizabeth Lowell said: Hmmmm. Nalini Singh is a great romantic read for those with a paranormal yen. Newcomers should begin with SLAVE TO SENSATION, and then read on! That's what I'm doing.

Susan Andersen said: I haven't seen many movies this year but I sat through Hairspray with a big smile on my face and enjoyed The Golden Compass. A movie I want to see is Juno, but I never seem to have the time. Gonna have to do something about that.
On the book front I picked two very different types. One is BAD MONKEYS, which has one of the most unique premises I've ever read. The other is A WEDDING STORY, a classic romance I can read and reread and never get tired of it.

Jayne Anne Krentz said: "This is the perfect place to mention the book that really fired me up to write romance: Anne McCaffrey's RING OF FEAR. It was written way back in 1971 -- not one of her science fiction novels. It had horses, an unusual hero and boy, howdy was it politically incorrect. Loved it. I didn't start writing until several years later but when I did, you can bet that book was still there in my head, fueling my imagination. It is one of the few books on my keeper shelf. Thank you, Anne McCaffrey!!!!

Elizabeth Guest said: One of my favorite romance books and movies is Pride and Prejudice. My favorite version of the movie is the newest one with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden.

As our Valentine gift to you, tonight I’ll randomly pick one poster from all those who replied, and she’ll win a special Valentine’s Day package from the Quills!

Prizes include these autographed books:
Key West by Stella Cameron, hard cover
Hard to Handle by Lori Foster
Servant: The Awakening by L.L. Foster
Coming Undone by Susan Andersen
Night Life by Elizabeth Guest
Always Time to Die by Elizabeth Lowell, hard cover

Good luck, and Happy Valentine’s Day to you!