5 Romantic Tips for Valentines and All Year Through

It's Valentine's again, my favorite time of the year! As a romance novelist, my readers often like to hear my suggestions for romantic gifts and ideas for nurturing their relationships. Here's five I have shared with my newsletter readers over the last few months.

Love letters! I love, love letters! I don't think anybody writes them enough any more! They're becoming a lost art! So...my romantic tip for Valentine's Day would be to find a moment, sit down and pen a heart-felt, honest, flattering love letter to your sweetheart! If you're sweetheart-less just now...then pen a love letter to a parent, sibling or good friend! Yep! I love, love letters for Valentine's Day!"

Spice it up with Graffiti! Pick up a cheap tube of red lipstick and draw hearts on your honey's car windows! Don't forget to write, "I love you," somewhere that won't impair their driving vision, too much! Messy? That's what glass cleaner is for!

Double Feature Date makes a fun romantic outing! You pick one movie and let your 'honey,' pick another! That way, no one has to sacrifice their movie choice! This does take a larger block of time...but it's fun and feels extravagant enough to add a little tingle of adventure! So, throw caution to the wind this week! Catch a double feature with your 'honey!'

Sadie Hawkins Date Night My husband, Kevin, actually thought of 'Sadie Hawkins Date Night!' He likes for me to break us out of the 'dinner and a movie' routine! Personally, I like dinner and a movie...after a long week of stress, sleep deprivation and laundry, I really like to sit and mindlessly watch a movie and eat something I haven't had to cook! (Right now, I'm really into the Crispy Orange Chicken Skillet at Applebee's!)

However, I think something different on a date night helps Kevin and me feel rejuvenated. So, something as simple as cinnamon rolls and people watching at the mall can bust us out of a routine. Or finding a place with live music and snacking on appetizers while listening to the band. Better yet...making a favorite dinner or some yummy snacks at home then strolling through the crisp, winter night..full moon shining on the softly falling frost, which twinkles like a million tiny diamonds...wait...I think I've written that before somewhere. Yes! That's it! Whisk your own Ransom Lake away for some serious smooching!" So, whether you smooch in the mini-van, people watch at the mall, or try something besides the Crispy Orange Chicken Skillet at Applebee's...find a moment for romance with your personal hero this week!

Cards and Love Letters I found a card that played "I Think I Love You," when you opened it and I sent it to Kevin at his office! He was simultaneously mortified and delighted and said it made his day, reminding him of me, my light-hearted antics and how much I love and appreciate him! So, whether you make a special trip to your favorite greeting card store, or simply find some old Valentines leftover from your child's Kindergarten days forgotten in your junk drawer...a sweet, loving message to remind your Sugar-Shnookums that you love them and appreciate all they do makes for a romantic moment and a wonderful week!


_{About the author:
E-mail: MarciaLMcClure@cs.com
Author's URL: http://www.marcialynnmcclure.com
Romance at it's finest! Escape into adventure, mystery, clever dialog, engaging characters and captivating kisses. Void of explicit sex, enjoy books by Marcia Lynn McClure.}