Barbara Valentin's Blog, page 6
November 24, 2015
Ode to Thanksgiving (encore presentation)
November 10, 2015
A Writer’s Gotta Write
September 6, 2015
Runs in the Family
August 22, 2015
Learning to Pick My Plates
With summer is winding down, I can’t help to ask, “Where did it go?”
I was so looking forward to it.
Four of my five boys were going to be home.
My husband and I were going to sneak away for our big anniversarytrip that we’d been talking about for months.
We were going to takethe boysona vacation todestinationsunknown.
Then, like it always does, life gotin the way. One of my college boys returned to his summer job, the other had to studyfor his MCATs. Two had Boy Scout camp, one had band camp...
June 26, 2015
Why I Write Romance
Dear Readers,
Hi. My name is Barbara and I am a romance novelist.
Hold up. Come again?
It’s true.I always wanted to be a writer, but of great masterpieces like F. Scott 
Fitzgerald, W. Somerset Maugham and other authors who were so good, they only had to use the first letter of their first names.
Maybe that’s why, after revealing the genre in which I am now published, raised eyebrows are the only reaction I get fromfriends who knew me “back when.”
“Back” beingwhen I was on the brink of earning...
June 9, 2015
A 21st Century Housewife
I am proud to say that I was raised by a working mother. Carvingout a career for herself in the late 1960’s, she was a tad radical.
From my perspective, she always seemed so very cool and glamorous, rushing around in her trendy business suits as a reporter for our local news bureau. Just like Mary Tyler Moore. I remember seeing her zip off to interviewpeopleor attend meetings and luncheons with her colleagues. She was breezy and confident with bright eyes and a wide smile. When she was at wor...
May 9, 2015
Last Minute Gifts Ideas for Mom
In the midst of all of your frenzied platespinning, have you paused long enough to realize that Mother’s Day is tomorrow?
If you’re like me, you’ve waited until the last minute and are now scrambling to find a way to honor your Mom in a manner she truly deserves.
Yes, some of yourplate spinning peers may simplybe looking forward to a long-awaited day of pampering.
And still other plate spinners (those of the male persuasion), may be in full-tilt panic mode. These poor souls are easy to spot....
April 14, 2015
It’s the Little Things
Between working full-time, tending to my family (both kids and parents), and trying to claw my way to the top of the NY Times Bestseller List, remembering to notice the little blessings that come my wayis no small challenge.
But, as my twelve year-old is so fond of responding to just about anything I tell him to do, challenge accepted.That being said, I’m dedicating this post to some small, but incredibly thoughtfulgestures – well, gifts really, that I’ve recently received.
First up, a frame...
April 4, 2015
Speaking of False Start …
Are you a fan ofmy first Assignment: Romance book, False Start?
If so, would you like to know:
who inspired my characters? what song must be included on the movie version soundtrack? how to makethe meatloaf Mattie and Nick baketheir steamy cooking segment? what’s next for my Assignment: Romance series? how to win an Omron Pedometer with Activity Tracker?If so, then join me at a the GHP Book Club from now until April 14th.
I’d love to hear from you!
March 22, 2015
A Parent’s Ode to Spring Break
(My sincerest apologies to the late, great John Denver…)
All their bags were packed
They’re ready to go
I’m standin’ here in the living room
I hate to wake them up to say “it’s time.”
But their break is over
It’s time to go
The bus is waitin’
He’s blowin’ his horn
Already I’m so sad to see them go
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you packed your stuff
Call me when you get back to your campus
‘Cause break’s over; where’d the time go?
Don’t know how it went by so fast.
Oh boys, promise...
