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ME + YOU
A Candy Hearts Romance
Brenda Gayle
Released January 20th 2016
Wild Rose Press
Teacher Lori Tait has always wanted a family, but now
she's 40, she’s pretty much decided all the good men are taken. Instead, she
devotes herself to her students, particularly one little girl whose struggle
with math seems inconsistent with an otherwise brilliant and artistic mind.
Mark Wilder hadn’t planned to become a father, but when a
fling resulted in his daughter, Grace, he whole-heartedly embraced the role.
Raised in a family of boys, what does he know about women and girls? Once he
learns of Grace’s inability to comprehend basic math, he welcomes the role of
tutor as a way to connect with his daughter; the opportunity to spend time with
her sexy teacher is an added bonus.
When Lori cracks the mystery of Grace’s problem Mark’s
world is thrown into turmoil; he’s the last person who can help his daughter.
He pushes everyone away, confirming Lori’s theory about men. Grace, however,
has other plans. Using her new-found understanding of math, she sets out to
prove to her father and teacher that, together, they add up to the perfect
match.
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Valentine’s
Day by the Numbers
By
Brenda Gayle
Valentine’s
Day. People either love it or hate it, often depending on where they are in the
relationship cycle. As a romance writer, I love it, which is why I was thrilled
when my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, announced it was planning to release a
series of romance-themed short stories and novellas, Candy Hearts Romances. My story, Me+You, involves a child
unable to do math, a father desperate to help, and a teacher who craves a
family.
For
over 100 years, Candy Hearts (also known as Conversation Hearts and
Sweethearts) have been associated with romance. About eight billion of the
little hearts are produced each year—that’s enough candy to stretch from
Valentine, Arizona to Rome, Italy and back again 20 times. As a countdown to
Valentine’s Day, I’ve been posting fun facts about Candy Hearts on my Facebook and Twitter pages (#CandyHeartFun). Today, I thought I’d share some weird and
wonderful trivia about the other ways we celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s
Day is big business for retailers. Approximately $19 billion will be spent this
year, with men spending almost twice as much as women on their significant
other ($128.90 versus $62.47).
Candy
Hearts aren’t the only sweet confection given on Valentine’s Day. The Chocolate
Manufacturers Association of America says 36 million boxes of chocolate will be
sold.
About 110 million roses, most of them red, will be sold for in the three days leading up to February 14. However, American women say they'd rather receive chocolate than flowers. Still, about 15% of women will send themselves flowers for Valentine’s Day.
About
one billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year, making it the second
largest seasonal card-sending occasion, after Christmas. Teachers will receive
the most cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, sweethearts.
Approximately
3% of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.
Fifty-three
per cent of women in America would dump their boyfriends if they did not get
them anything for Valentine's Day.
And,
11% of Americans will be engaged on Valentine’s Day.
What
are you hoping for this Valentine’s Day? Is it a sweet tooth you want satisfied,
or do you prefer the sensual scent of red roses? My weakness is the spicy tang
of cinnamon hearts. Let me know yours.
I've been a writer all my life but returned to my love of
fiction after more than 20 years in the world of corporate
communications--although some might argue there is plenty of opportunity for
fiction-writing there, too. I have a Master's degree in journalism and an
undergraduate degree in psychology. A fan of many genres, I am drawn to
contemporary romance and enjoy creating deeply emotional stories with elements
of mystery and suspense.
I live in eastern Ontario with my wonderful husband, two
fabulous children, a rescued cat, two Siberian Huskies, and assorted aquatic
wildlife.
1 comment:
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for featuring me, my book ME+YOU, and my Valentine trivia today. This has been an amazing tour!
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