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Thoughts of the Week

Did you know that Valentine's Day is a holiday that dates back to Roman times? Emperor Claudius II executed two men, both named Valentine - in different years but both on 14th February - in the 3rd century A.D. Their martyrdom was honoured by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day.

In modern society, this holiday has become a little materialistic and superficial. For some, it is a huge deal if their loved one doesn’t get them something or make a grand gesture. For businesses, Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to make money from people, and it works. When we were children at school, it was a day that caused lots of silliness and anticipation, hoping that a secret admirer might leave a gift or card for you. We gave our fair share of cards but never expected any in return (we were both awkward, bespectacled, skinny, and geeky - certainly neither of us were one of the "popular" crowd!) so there was also always a slight feeling of rejection and inadequacy. We remember being very surprised when we got a card each posted to our home (neither with the same writing). To this day, we still don't know who sent them! 

All in all, we don’t agree with how Valentine's Day has become less about love and more about material gifts, or the way it can make people who haven't got a romantic partner feel left out or even more lonely. Also, the truth is, you should be showing the ones you love that you love them every single day!

Valentine's Day, for us, is just an excuse to do yet another nice thing for our husbands, in addition to the little things we try to do all the time. It doesn’t matter what it is or how big or small a gesture is, it just has to mean something. You shouldn't buy a gift because you feel obligated to. If you want to make a big gesture on Valentine's Day, then make it an extension of the little gestures you make every day, because that’s how it should be. This Valentine's is different because we can't go out anywhere. But sometimes, a hug and a kiss, or another way of showing your loved one that they make your world brighter, is all that is needed. And this doesn't have to apply to just romantic partners. At the moment, any small way of showing friends, family or loved ones what a difference they make to you, can have a huge impact.

Here's wishing all our subscribers a happy Valentine's Day, sending our love and hoping that, in whatever form it takes, you all have love and happiness  in your lives. 

Fall in Love with a New Book!

There is no better time of year to turn your imagination – and your choice of reading material – to the topic of love.

For some, that means cozying up with a romance novel as warm and sweet as a mug of hot cocoa. For others, it means grabbing a novel that is still full of love, but darker - more like a rich, black coffee or a glass of dark, red wine! Whatever your Valentine “tipple”, why not indulge in a taste of an addictive romance read?

OR

Perhaps you hate Valentine's Day, how commercialized it all is and don't feel the least bit warm-hearted at the moment (who can blame you!)

If so, there are also some sinister, more thrilling reads to be had.

Why not check out one of the collections below?

There's bound to be something that will give you the escape you need!

What we're Reading this Week

Rebecca

Burning for You by Kaye Kennedy

Think I’ve found myself with a bit of an addiction, as here’s another book with a sexy firefighter! This is a new release and, though it is the fifth book in the series, it can be happily read as a standalone.

This novel is split up into two parts: the past, where we follow Kyle and Allie's beautiful friendship from the age of four until Allie runs off to college, and the present, where Allie and Kyle reconnect and try to pretend that their history and the undeniable feelings they have for each other don't exist. 

Here's a little teaser from the book:

“It destroyed me,” she whispered. “And I didn’t want it to destroy you too.” I hugged her again because I had to. Despite all of the agony and anguish she’d gone through, she was protecting me. And that right there was why I’d loved her for twenty years, no matter how much I’d tried not to.

If you adore firefighters and friends-to-lovers romance, this is definitely the book for you! 

You can find this book on Amazon (free with Kindle Unlimited) by clicking HERE or on the book cover above.

What we're Reading this Week

Victoria

She had to Kill Him by Aviva Gat

I liked the premise of this story. It was intriguing and different and made me think about how I would feel in this situation.

The plot starts off with a bang…almost. Mara is seeking revenge on the man who murdered her parents and sister in a drunk-driving car accident. She attends a charity event with a hidden gun, waiting for the right moment to take her shot. She is interrupted by a charming, handsome man who whisks her away. She faces a moral quandary when she finds out that he is the son of the man responsible for the death of her family.

From there, the story takes off on a twisty ride involving suppressed feelings, deceit and the effects of mental trauma.

If you like unpredictable thrillers with psychological suspense, then you should enjoy this book!

You can find this book on Amazon (free with Kindle Unlimited) by clicking HERE or on the book cover above.

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