What? It’s barely January and I’m already thinking about Valentine’s Day? Well… you know, romantics. Actually, my husband “doesn’t believe” in Valentine’s day because it’s “orchestrated by Hallmark” to force the purchase of cards and overpriced candy. And those bears with the little magnets in their snouts. Sigh. Do you know what it’s like to be someone who writes loves stories as a career, married to a Valentine’s Day cynic? Talk about your first-world problems.
Anyway, I get around all that by making him celebrate our engagement anniversary instead, which is February 11th. The restaurants are generally less crowded that night anyway – works for me!! This also leaves me free to lavish my unrequited Valentine’s affection on my two little boys and, of course, YOU.
I’m planning lots of lovey-dovey stuff for the entire month of February, including some stuff that you’ll want to be on my mailing list to stay on top of. In the meantime, I am going to go ahead and kick things off now by starting the clock on this awesome giveaway. Use the widget below to join my mailing list and you’ll be entered FIVE TIMES into the drawing for the Kindle Paperwhite (it’s the Wi-Fi version with Amazon’s special messages, but who cares? It’s a Paperwhite! They’re supposed to be amazing for reading in any light. In fact, I might want to borrow yours if you win just to test it out). Two additional winners will get either signed paperbacks of the Marriage Pact trilogy or a $15 amazon gift card, which you can put toward anything you want.
So, yep, join the email list: use the widget below – current list members can simply affirm that you’re on the list to get the entries. You can also earn additional entries by liking my Facebook page (or telling me you already do), Tweeting about the giveaway, Pinning one of or more of my books on your Pinterest page, and/or by leaving a comment on this blog about your Valentine’s Day traditions, or lack thereof…
Are you a fan of Cupid? Do you get crazy with the pink, white and red? Romantic dinners and expensive wine? Or are you more of a snuggle up with a good book and keep it simple type? Something in between? Maybe you’re like my hubs and think the whole holiday has pretty much gone off the rails. Whatever your take on it, leave your Valentine’s-related comment below and submit your entries by Feb. 14th. Good luck!
PS – You also get entries for sharing, so… you know, do that, too.
EDIT TO ADD: The awesome staff at Livi Rae Lingerie has thrown in a $25 gift certificate good for their new website! The giveaway is getting more roBUST by the minute (ha, ha). 😀
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MJ Pullen
Nothing special for me, just another work day. Great giveaway!
Thanks Mary and good luck! At least if you win it will make the day a little bit special. 🙂
Jim agreed with your Hubs in general, but he was addicted to boxes of Whitman Samplers, so Valentine’s Day with him always included candy, even though he often forgot (or simply didn’t bother to buy)a card!
Sounds like he knew how to honor his own love for chocolate on Valentine’s Day, anyway. I hope he at least let you pick the first candy from the box. 🙂
awesome give away!!! love your books 🙂
Thanks! Good luck and please share!
When I was married, I had dreams of hearts and flowers and romance. Never happened. Now that I am divorced and single, well, I think I will cuddle up with a good book and continue to dream.
Well said! I think this holiday can be a great excuse to shower yourself with love and indulgence. And you’ll always give yourself exactly what you are hoping for – even if it’s just some quiet time with a book.
NOTHING SPECIAL FOR ME ON VAL DAY. THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
You’re welcome – good luck!
This is a really well-done promo, MJ! Valentines falls only a little more than a month after our anniversary, so it tends to get a bit less to-do from us. But, then, with an anniversary so close after Christmas, maybe I need to rethink this…
Wow — you really require your fans to be heavy social media users! I just pinned, tweeted, blog-commented, and fb-posted for you, sweetie! I’ll be happy to win, but happier if it gets you any new readers. I goofed up on the first pin, not understanding the directions, and pinned the blog instead of the third book, but it’s still a pin for you.
Cyn, you crack me up. Thanks for blogging, tweeting, pinning and otherwise social media-ing me! I don’t *require* my fans to be terribly social media savvy, but it does help increase your odds for the giveaway! 🙂 Thank you again for your support and good luck!!! Maybe you’ll win and set a V-Day precedent for yourself…
Well, I’ve got a 1.7% chance. That’s better than most drawings, I figure. 🙂
That’s the spirit, Cyn!
My husband is a musician…he is always off playing for some other couples. I really have learned to not be too into most holidays since we are never together on them.
Awww… I hope you get to make up your own special days and have other people play music for the two of you!
I love your books and I have to borrow, read and delete the books off my daughter’s device. Would LOVE to have one of my own to read, re-read and read all the great books you have written and are going to write !! (RIGHT):).
Thanks, Jill! Now I’m totally rooting for you to win so you can have your own Kindle. And yes, more books are coming… eventually.
Great giveaway, thanks!
My husband and I exchange cards but that’s usually about it. My anniversary (18 years) is just two weeks before V-Day. We usually conflate the romantic stuff for both days into one date night.
😀
That might be the most romantic use of the word “conflate” I’ve ever heard. 🙂
I always get flowers <3
We try to get out to dinner the week of but keep things casual for the most part. =)
I love valentines day.. Every bit of The cheesy store displays, paper valentines, love songs and even the nasty pastel conversation hearts!
Most people who don’t enjoy valentines I believe reject it due to obscene marketing ploys trying g to get you to Spend Spend, but as for me I say market more! Sounds crazy I know, however 12 years ago on Valentines Day my brother died in a car accident. He was not only my right hand but he also widowed a 23 year old wife daughter and infant son. but that morning he bought cheesy valentines flowers balloons etc for his family. His wife said good bye knowing exactly how he felt about her.. Thank God for a cheesy holiday with manipulative marketting practices that fforces, me to stop and think about the peoe I loveand making sure that .. IF.. tomorrow never comes they will,know how,much I loved them!
Wow, thanks so much for sharing that very personal story. I’m sorry for your loss, and for the family your brother left behind – how heartbreaking. I love your point: just because something has become commercialized doesn’t mean we can’t make it personal and meaningful for ourselves. And there’s never a bad time to tell your family you love them.
This will be my first valentine with my girlfriend, We’d been friends for about two years until that day when I asked her to be my girlfriend… and she inmediately said yes, without hesitating… I am so blessed and happy, she is the best that ever happened to me.
I am working hard to make this first valentine unforgettable, wish me luck 😀
How sweet! Good luck to you, and enjoy your Valentine’s Day. 🙂
I love the colors and the hearts and displays but in all out honesty me and my better half dont really celebrate like most do give us a horror flick and a peaceful night and we are golden but we also celebrate each other and our love everyday of the year not just set ones
Nice! I haven’t been able to handle horror movies in a long time — they make me too anxious!! Sounds like you and your sweetie have your perfect date lined up, though. And why limit it to one or two days a year, right?
Got married on Valentine’s Day on what will be 16 years ago!!! One of my favorite days of the year, that we usually celebrate the day after cuz it’s so crazy on that day!!! This year we’re going to the movies & he’s taking me to eat sushi!!!
Have a fun anniversary, Sarah! Come back and let us know what movie you get to see. 🙂
This year, my present to my hubby is picking him up at the airport. I know he likes it when I do that so he doesn’t have to fuss with parking and can get in & out of the airport quickly. I’d give the details of my other plans, but they’re a bit on the R-rated side! 🙂 (Of course, I have to shovel my way out to the car what with this wonderful snowstorm today!)
Me-ow, Faith! Do you remember that scene in When Harry Met Sally when he talks about the airport date? “I never wanted anyone to say to me, ‘Howcome you never take me to the airport anymore?'” 🙂
My tradition starts off with Oysters on the half shell, Gentleman Jack, Otis Redding and a very, very lucky man. The first three things always stay the same, the last element, ….. not so much.
I always have chocolate on valentines day, even if i have to buy it myself 🙂
It’s never a bad day for chocolate! That falls under “self-care” as far as I’m concerned.
We enjoy Valentine’s Day together because that was the day we had our first date. We always watch the movie “Hitch” because that was the movie we saw on our first date. 🙂
Aww… cute movie, cute tradition, and cute, cute, cute Will Smith. All around winner!
Usually my february’s are horrible, whether I have a valentine or not. Either a death of a pet, or finding out horrible news, it’s always something bad. But this February seems to be going amazing , and this giveaway would just be the cherry on the top.
Wow, I’ve never tracked which months are worse for me than others to see if there’s a pattern. I don’t know if I’d want to, because there might end up being one month during which I’d never leave the house. I’m sorry February is not usually a good time for you – but I’m glad this one’s good so far! Good luck in the giveaway!
Nothing special, just another day. That sure sounds depressing doesn’t it?
Not depressing at all! I don’t think you’re alone in that view, Rita, not by a long shot. Hope it’s a good, normal day for you!
Just another day around here.
I don’t have any Valentine’s Day traditions, but I did go out to dinner with my GF this v-day.