Getting Ready for Valentine's Day?

[image error] Love.

Affection.

Passion.

The very essence of St Valentine's Day, celebrated these days on February 14th.

Though the various Saint Valentines that lend this day their name were Roman Christian martyrs, the celebration of Valentine's day associated with romantic love is not quite so old, some say no older than Chaucer's reference to it in Parlement of Foules (1382). But during the Middle Ages it certainly had become attached to the concept of courtly love (a type of chivalrous and idolatrous love celebrated between typically chaste lovers). Widely accepted and practiced methods to express such courtly love was throug song, poetry and small gifts to the object of ones affection.

The oldest known surviving valentine dates to the 15th century, when Charles, the Duke d'Orleans wrote one to his wife while incarcerated in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt (1415). He wrote:

Je suis desja d'amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée...

I'm already tired of love
My very Sweet Valentine ...

By the Regency period, paper Valentines became so popular that they were mass produced in factories, and by the mid-19th century the Valentine as a hand-written and lavishly embellished love note had given way to the greeting card, adorned with paper lace. Roses and chocolates have since also been adopted as gifting expression of affection.

[image error] Romance novels, with a central theme about the developing relationship and affection between two people, capture the driving force behind modern Valentine's Day celebrations. And, really, what's better than celebrating love and affection every single day of the year?

How about you? What do you like most about Valentine's Day? Post below your favorite way to celebrate Valentine's Day by 9pm central, Sunday, February 13th for a chance to win 1 of 4 vouchers for a free download* of An Imprudent Lady!

*Voucher for eHarlequin.com download for US/CAN residents. All others will receive a gift voucher from Amazon.com --some geographic limitations may apply.