Kate Richards has Joined the Party!

Happy Valentine’s Day! From Kate Richards

Hello Valentine’s Day celebrators! Today I’m proud to share the way a romance author spends this romantic day. After sleeping in and enjoying breakfast in bed, I will don my favorite silken robe and matching high-heeled fluffy slippers and glide to the chaise lounge to wait for my salon appointment and afternoon of shopping to prepare for a romantic night on the town.  I don’t know where he’ll be taking me. He likes to make it a surprise, but I know it will involve a limo, dinner at a fine restaurant, dancing, and then a nightcap at some revolving bar on top of a skyscraper where we can look down on the lights of the city and cuddle.

Okay huge lie!

Because, like most of you, I actually wouldn’t want my husband to drop a few thousand dollars from our household budget on a single night out. And even if he did it would only be to please me…and I suspect the fact I don’t want him to do that is a big reason he likes me. Loves me.

I never doubt that he does. Romantic gestures of the type we see in movies are rare in a long-term relationship. It’s other things that send me into hearts and flowers adoration of the man. Sometimes people ask where the inspiration comes from to write love stories.

When my mom called because she didn’t feel well and wanted me to come, he wouldn’t let me go alone. He took time off, jumped in the car and drove me five hours to her house. Then stayed at the hospital with us until we knew she’d be okay. When my niece’s washing machine broke down, he took her to Sears and bought her one.   He doesn’t read my books himself for fear of recognizing us in the stories, but has bragged so much about them that everyone he works with does read them.

He sneaks way too many treats to the dogs and talks to the kittens when he thinks nobody is listening. He deals with my car when it breaks because I hate to. I’ll take those things over a limo any day! He isn’t perfect, but neither am I so that works out.

He is my inspiration because I’ve never felt so loved. He’s not demonstrative, but he has a huge heart. On Valentine’s Day, we’ll keep it low key. Sure, he’ll very likely bring me flowers, probably with a little stuffed bear or something, and I already have a snarky T-shirt I hope he’ll love ready to give him, but probably we’ll just hang out for a while, like we do every night, talk about our day. Watch some TV. He’ll channel surf. I’ll write, probably. I will make something he likes for dinner. He will go to bed at eight o’clock because he gets up at four in the morning for work.

And this is the Valentine’s Day I want. The inspiration I have grown to depend on. I met him online. Seventeen years ago. My family was afraid he’d turn out to be an ax murderer but instead he’s a dog spoiler. And a keeper.

Happy Valentine’s Day whether you’re spending it with a romantic partner or a group of friends (I had some great friend Valentine’s Days before Mr. Richards came along).  And if you decide to spend it in a bubble bath with a glass of wine and a good book, here’s one of my latest releases I hope you’ll check out.

Workaholic Arabella Carmichael is achieving her career goal in a large corporation by giving up all her other dreams. Friends, family, and a love life—as well as company of her own. A surprise vacation designed to give her a break and make her even more productive on her return lands her on an island with no Internet, so no way to work. Perhaps she can have one of those vacation flings she’s heard so much about. But why is that incredibly handsome guy leaving on the plane she arrived on?

Will Sanders spotted the gorgeous blonde when boarding the plane for the mainland. He cannot forget her and returns sooner than planned, only to find she’s about to hook up with a lawyer friend of his with a less than stellar reputation with women. Is he too late to catch her eye and get her to spend her vacation in his arms, or will she go ahead with her plans with Earl? He’s got to convince her he’s the right one for her before she throws herself back into a life of all work and no play.

Vacation fling or start of a whole new life? Make the right choice, Arabella!

Available at Amazon.