Hey, hey, My Fantastical Readers!
Happy Valentine’s Day! 
Who doesn’t love a dash of spice in life? And I’m not just talking about whipping up dishes in the kitchen, though cooking happens to be one of my favorite pastimes. Haha.
What I mean is authentic, heartfelt romance immortalized within the pages of a captivating novel … think of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, Bella and Edward from Twilight, and from what I’ve gathered about Holly Black’s book Suren, the heroine and Price Oak. Now, that’s an enemy to lovers’ story I am interested in unraveling. A runaway queen. A reluctant prince. And a quest that may destroy them both. Romance, fantasy, and mystery are all tied up in the pages of a highly sought-after book.
Even on television, there are captivating romances to behold … consider timeless tales of love such as Lady and the Tramp or the enchanting story of Cinderella and Prince Charming.
Ultimately, I’m hooked on Pride and Prejudice romance, with a twist of Twilight intrigue matched with an adventurous quest! But I’m all about the character’s journey in a story.
Not surprisingly, romance is the number one bestselling and most profitable fiction genre. But what makes romance sell? Is it the beautiful connection two people share? The secrets that threaten to tear them apart. What sacrifices are characters willing to make for true love? Or is it because of Valentine’s Day?
This is a short laundry list of questions that evoke intrigue and emotional investment, enticing readers to delve into the pages of story romance and discover the answers. But my personal experience says it goes beyond that …
My personal thought is that since COVID-19, romance has sold so well because people didn’t socialize. Since high school, I’ve been an avid reader, but after COVID-19 attacked America, people found comfort and connection with the words written on the pages of stories. In many ways, it was a way to experience moments of angst, adventure, and romance and stay within the safety of your home.
Because I had the time, that’s one reason why I dove headfirst into writing Callie’s life. I became so deeply connected to her story that I couldn’t stop tapping away at my computer. While her relationship with Trystan may not scream enemies-to-lovers, a powerful undercurrent of mystery surrounds their storyline. And when you craft a heartfelt scene that leaves you in awe, it only adds to the intrigue of their connection.
Okay, so I couldn’t let my readers off the hook without sharing information about one of the myths surrounding Valentine’s Day. According to historical records, Valentine’s Day traces back to a priest named Valentine during the Roman Empire. One legend suggests that Emperor Claudius II banned marriage for young men because he believed that single men made better soldiers. But he defied the decree and continued to marry young couples secretly. His actions were discovered, and he was arrested and imprisoned.
According to research, he signed a letter ‘from your Valentine’ to his jailer’s daughter. This was a woman he’d supposedly befriended and healed from blindness before execution.
Last minute thought: Go ahead and read a little on Valentine’s Day, but prioritize spending quality time with your beloved Valentine. 😊
Please feel free to share my link with fellow readers and authors.
Air Hugs!
Cyndi Brec
Author Cyndi Brec (inkerspen.com)
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2024
Cyndi Brec 