Brothers of the Vine
Forever Evermore
Women of W.A.R.
Valentine’s Day is the official day to celebrate all things LOVE. So we went to some of our favourite Australian romance authors, experts in all-things romance, to ask them how they like to celebrate the Day of Love.
J.C. Harroway
My Valentine’s Day celebrations vary. Some years it involves a date night with my hubby. In the past I’ve made heart shaped cookies or chocolate dipped strawberries with my autistic son, which he then takes to school to share with his friends. He loves to celebrate all of the specific days in the calendar! My Valentine’s Day definitely involves reading romance though, because that’s something I do every day…
A sexy proposition…leads to six weeks of pleasure!
Janet Gover
My husband and I usually stay home – just the two of us, and the cat. I cook a nice dinner and we open a bottle of wine. Then we sit up half the night playing board games. Even after all these years, this is still our favourite way to spend an evening.
A heartfelt and compelling story of family, secrets and second chances, set in the heart of the beautiful Hunter Valley of NSW, from an award-winning new voice in Australian fiction.
Penelope Janu
My husband and I met at Law School, so have shared quite a few Valentine’s Days. I’m not so keen on the commercialisation of the day, but totally approve of the sentiment! I’m also not one for a single a red rose—much preferring a bunch of jonquils or freesias any old time of year. I like to think that Valentine’s Day, a chance to say ‘I Love You’ and to value the person you choose to be with in good times and bad, can be any day of the year—but having a set date of February 14 is a great time to remind us to value the people who occupy a special place in our lives.
‘Penelope Janu’s fresh, bright, funny new twist on rural romance is an absolute delight. Her wit is as sharp as a knife. She is one of my absolute must-read authors.’ Victoria Purman, bestselling Australian author
Alyssa Montgomery
It may surprise you to know that I don’t always celebrate Valentine’s Day. Because my husband is an international pilot, the celebrations depend entirely upon whether or not he’s home. Although we both generally buy into the commercial aspect of Valentine’s Day, what’s most important to us is to spend as much time together on that day. Maybe it’s working together in the garden before going out for lunch, or seeing a movie together. Then, rather than going out for dinner, I generally cook something special.
I’m so fortunate to have found my soul mate and there isn’t a day that passes that I don’t appreciate the love and laughter we share.
No matter what is thrown their way, true love will endure…
Nicola Marsh
I write romance for a reason (I’m married to an unromantic man!) so we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. We’ll have dinner with the kids, maybe get out the cocktail glasses to make it a little spesh!
From USA Today bestselling Australian author Nicola Marsh comes a warm and winsome rural romance about second chances and belonging.
Alli Sinclair
If I lived the life of my heroines then I would wake to my hubby bringing breakfast to bed while I laze about and stare out at our lovely garden and we’d head out for a nice long walk and coffee at a beachside café topped with a romantic dinner in the evening. The reality is ferrying kids to and from school and activities, doing loads of washing, training our new puppy, working on my new book and in the evening collapsing on the couch with some take away and a bottle of wine with hubby and watching a movie. Actually, I love my reality!
A heart-stirring novel of loss, love and new hope set against the glamorous backdrop of 1950s Hollywood and a small Australian country town.
Michelle Douglas
I have to admit that Mr Douglas and I are very low key. We usually share a nice bottle of bubbles, indulge in a little chocolate (or a lot!), and tell each other how happy we are that we’re each other’s valentines. 🙂 However, Valentine’s Day is the anniversary of one of the most romantic gifts Mr Douglas ever gave me. We spent our honeymoon night (Jan 26) in The Dorchester in London (one of London’s most iconic hotels). Mr D managed to smuggle one of their bathrobes home without me noticing to present to me on Valentine’s Day. Happy sighs.
A baby — in his home…with no instruction manual!
Alissa Callen
Valentine’s Day this year will be low key as I will have a looming deadline plus it is my birthday not long afterwards.
A warm-hearted and touching story about recovering after trauma, love and community. A new Woodlea rural romance by bestselling Australian author Alissa Callen.
Leisl Leighton
My husband and I used to go out and do something together – our favourite thing was to have a picnic. This became difficult to do after the kids came along, but we liked the idea of a picnic so we will buy some nice nibbles and have some sparkling and have a ‘carpet picnic’ where we put a blanket down on the floor and have a picnic in the house – with the kids. We don’t give each other Valentine presents as I don’t want something from my husband (or me to him) that we have bought because society says this is the day to do it. We prefer to do little surprise things during the year that shows our love and caring. But the carpet picnic is something that has stayed.
A Coalcliff Stud novel – His beloved home is under threat, and with it the beautiful, haunted woman he’s never been able to forget …
Lily Malone
OMG – but for a romance writer I have a terrible answer to this question. I don’t!! My hubby and I are very slack these days when it comes to Valentine’s Day. This year it’s on a Friday so we’ll both be at our day jobs. Maybe we’ll have a glass of bubbles together when we get home.
With her trademark fresh and funny tone, Lily Malone returns with a captivating new romance set in the heart of the Australian outback.
Sonya Heaney
My birthday is exactly a week before Valentine’s Day, so I feel a teensy bit over-celebrated by the time the 14th of February arrives! And, because of my Ukrainian heritage (we follow the old calendar), when the day rolls around I’ve just finished celebrating a second Christmas and New Year in January. The holidays never end for us!
Because of that my Valentine’s Day is usually a glass (or three!) of sparkling wine at home, and I’m happy with that. Some holidays are great when they’re less extravagant.
‘Can two very different persons, from both side of the fence find a way to another’s heart?’ – Goodreads review
Ally Blake
Most often? At a library or book event. Valentines week is THE biggest week of the year for romance authors! And yes, this year is the same. I’ll be at the Brisbane Square Library hosting a workshop on how to write a romance novel. Maybe a lovely attendee will bring me chocolates. *hint hint*
A man in a million…there’s only one problem: he’s her boss!