Hi all! Christine London here. I write spicy contemporary stories for one of the best e-book publishers in the biz, Phaze. When I heard about the opportunity to bring readers a short story for the Valentine’s season there was only one couple that popped to mind. Bryce and Katie are the high-powered career people in my novel Sunninghill Snow who just happen to be in hate. When a freak snowstorm isolated them in a romantic rural cottage their time together was a rocky ride for sure. In my Valentine’s Day free read we revisit Bryce and Katie ten months after their life-changing weekend at their friend’s cottage. A Valentines Proposal will give you a taste of the magic these two make together. Not unlike the gift of the Magi, what lovers will inspire in each other can’t help but mirror the intensity of their feelings. Love is after all the flip side to hate. There is unending magic in how two can become one through even the rockiest of beginnings. A Valentine’s Proposal’s prequel is being released in print just after Valentine’s Day. So if this tale tickles your curiosity as to how Bryce and Katie got to their happily ever after, you might wish to take a look at Sunninghill Snow. Can’t wait? It is available now in e-book format over at Phaze.com
What are my plans for the fourteenth? I honestly don’t know. My man is really good at dreaming up something special. Whether it be a quiet dinner or a brand new fire engine red Vespa, I’m sure he will think of something to remember. Isn’t that the fun of a day set aside for romance…the surprise? Now what I am cooking up…there is the mystery. I’ve a couple special people in my life that deserve something sweet and thoughtful. Until then, it is under wraps. So shhhh….
Worst Valentine’s gift? Well I have to say I have never received what I’d consider to be a bad one. I have had the day forgotten or go by unnoticed. Even then it is not the end of the world. I rather prefer spontaneous plans and gifts so if that means May 24th or October 3rd is the day with a romantic twist—all the more wonderful! That said, I rather think it advisable that men (and women) steer clear of gifts that imply work. If you give your wife a vacuum cleaner for Valentines Day don’t expect too much enthusiasm even if it is red! Now guys…sometimes they love a tool for a gift…as long as it is followed with her as a negligee chaser in the bedroom.
I suppose it would be most high-minded of me to say giving is the best. Yes, it often is. If I have managed to find something that pleases it is worth a month of chocolate. That said there is nothing as wonderful as the shadow of a smirk on the face of a man who has managed to please me. But then, that is giving too isn’t it? His giving multiples the joy as I get to revel in his pleasure at mine. Amazing how this focus on the treasured ‘other’ comes back ten fold.
Anonymous Valentine? I used to get them all the time from my students. As a teacher one is always reminding her young charges to write their name on their work. Sometimes their forgetfulness washes over into the arena of the Valentine tradition. And sometimes on a special day such as Valentines they plan it that way. Although I teach no more, I can still picture the faces of my students as they looked to me for reaction to their cut and paste offerings. Love comes in all forms. The love of a child is perhaps the purest. Valentines Day is for this reason my favorite where children are concerned. It afford them the opportunity to make something simple and from the heart then offer it in the most uncomplicated way. They learn early that a secret Valentine is even more fun. It teaches them the delight of selfless giving expecting nothing in return but the knowledge that their efforts have made their teacher smile. Very sweet indeed!
I once wrote as part of a short verse my notion of the joy inherent in giving—man to woman. It costs nothing but awareness and a few well-chosen words. Cards last a few days, flowers fade and chocolates eaten, but what is spoken or written in love, that is the stuff of myth and legend, fantasy and dreams fulfilled. True romance.
Don’t assume she knows you’re thinking of her.
Friend or lover
All women are the same
They need to know
You care
Like a tightly wound bud
There is promise in her eyes
That will bloom
With nothing more
Than your authenticity
How do you know her heart?
It’s in her eyes.
Look into them
You will see
A reflection of yourself
What more accurate mirror
Than to view
The harvest of the garden
You have sown
And tended
With your words
May you hear, say, read and write what is in your heart this Valentines Day.
Cheers,
Christine London
Hi all! Christine London here. I write spicy contemporary stories for one of the best e-book publishers in the biz, Phaze. When I heard about the opportunity to bring readers a short story for the Valentine’s season there was only one couple that popped to mind. Bryce and Katie are the high-powered career people in [...]
We have a multi-published author with us today, she has several titles with Phaze books including a print collection of her curvy stories called Curvaceous. Yes, you’ve guessed it, I’m in the Spotlight today! I have decided, as I often talk to myself anyway, to give myself the interview treatment, so here goes! Firstly, don’t [...]
We have the infinite delight of having Stevie Woods here with us for the next two days as she has two Valentine’s stories released one today and one tomorrow. Today’s offering is: And here’s how she answered my questions: Please introduce us briefly to you and your writing, including today’s free read Keeping The World [...]
Today as the Phaze free reads for Valentine’s day are launched we get going with a powerful double whammy! Every day from now until the 14th February a new free read will be available for you to download from Phaze.com. And to start off this amazing fortnight of offers we have two fantastic authors who [...]
Are you completely sick of forking out a small fortune every Valentines Day buying over priced flowers, cards and chocolates? I know it drives me crazy how a day which has been designed for lovers has become so expensive and commercialised! Do you want to give your lover something special and personal this year or [...]
Is out now! And My story in the Anthology is called “Reluctant Muse” The blurb: Carrie endured years of abuse at her fathers hands and cannot believe it when the hot manager at work tells her she is beautiful. Jamie is the manager of Betta Burger, paying his way through university to get a degree [...]
