A Little Bit Cupid - A Valentine's Week Special

I'm so excited! My guest today is sweet romance author Jennifer Shirk. I just read her newest story, A Little Bit Cupid, and it's the best Valentine Romance ever! Fun and sassy ... and I loved it!

Jennifer's going to give you some quick facts about Valentine's Day - HINT: It's this Thursday, so don't forget the ones you love!

Take it away, Jennifer!

:::


Hi, all! Jennifer here!

Valentine's Day is almost upon us!! And in case you didn't know by now, I wrote a Valentine's Day romance called A LITTLE BIT CUPID that was just released!

We all celebrate this holiday in some way or another, so I thought it would be fun to take a look at some Valentine's Day facts!

For instance, did you know...

Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day in the U.S?

About 189 million stems of roses are sold in the U.S on Valentine's Day?

Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in the late 1800's?

73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women?

15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day is the 2nd highest card sending holiday--right after Christmas?

Here's a little secret:
my hubby won't buy me chocolate on Valentine's Day. He says it's too cliche for him. But that's okay. I buy my own, thus contributing to the $1 billion worth of chocolate statistic. :-)

And in case you're now in the mood for reading about love, here's a little bit about my romance A LITTLE BIT CUPID:

Finding love should be easy, but wedding photographer Phoebe Ward knows better. When Cupid shows up on a crazy mission to help her —and save the world in the process—Phoebe realizes love might be even more complicated than she thought. Even with Cupid showing her Mr. Right , she can’t stop thinking about his best friend, Mr. Wrong.

Cal Crawford has never had time for love, but now he’s falling for Phoebe. Which means it’s got to be just plain wrong to set her up with his best friend, right? But even though seeing Phoebe with someone else will break his heart, he can’t walk away from her.

Phoebe can’t afford to choose the wrong guy with the fate of the world at stake. But maybe Cupid has it wrong. Maybe she has to rely just a little bit on Cupid, and a whole lot more on her heart.
  
Only 99 cents at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Thanks to Carol for hosting me today!

How about you? Will you be buying your own chocolate too?

Have you ever sent yourself flowers for Valentine's Day?

:::

Today I'm visiting Lynda R. Young
and talking about social media for writers and readers.
I hope you'll leave a comment here for Jennifer
and then stop at Lynda's to visit with us.
Happy Valentine's Day!

See you back here on Friday.




Comments

Anonymous said…
A great post reminding us that St. Valentine's day is almost here.

Yvonne.
Karen Baldwin said…
A Little Bit Cupid sounds like a great story. Me? I don't eat much chocolate. My guy buys me roses, usually yellow, but on St. V's day,they'll be red.
Jennifer Shirk said…
Thanks for reading and for having me today, Carol!!!
L. Diane Wolfe said…
I don't eat chocolate, so I won't be contributing to that dollar figure.

My birthday is February 16th, so my husband just skips Valentine's Day and spends extra on my birthday. I'm fine with that.
More men buy flowers because they really don't want to receive them. I usually buy my wife a single rose.
Connie Keller said…
I usually buy Valentine's candy on the 15th when it goes on sale. But I couldn't resist conversation hearts when I was at the store on Saturday. And I did find a fun recipe for a "Fizzy Grapefruit Peach Slipper," so I guess my husband and I will be celebrating. :)
Maria Zannini said…
I've never heard of people sending themselves flowers, but why not?

Hubby used to buy me expensive chocolates but I asked him to stop when his blood sugar started going up. (We always shared.)
Stina said…
My hubby buys me chocolate. Then my 13 year old sneaks it--unless I hide it in my room. My 8 year old daughter takes my hubby shopping every year, to help him buy me flowers. She knows I love to shoot flowers (with a camera), so she's fussy with what he gets me. :D
Stina said…
PS Jennifer, your story sounds great. :D
Perfect post for this week -the book looks like fun!
Carol Kilgore said…
Hi, all! I'll be in and out of here today and around to your blogs this afternoon. Thanks for stopping by.

Jennifer, it will be a few hours before the cabana boys start work. The coffee maker is on the back counter, so make yourself at home.
Sandra Orchard said…
I've never sent myself flowers, but I will buy my hubby chocolate, which...I'm sure he'll share. :) No need to enter me in the giveaway. I just downloaded it for my Valentine treat. :)
Linda G. said…
Sounds like A LITTLE BIT CUPID would be the perfect Valentine's gift! Bonus: Fewer calories than chocolate.
Old Kitty said…
Oh wow!! Carol's over at Lynda and Jennifer is over here at Carol's! Yay!!

Of course I buy myself chocolate! Every day! Yay!!!

Take care
x
Anonymous said…
Who doesn't love a little romancing, chocolate and a great sigh-worthy read? Fun cover and looks like a great story!
Southpaw said…
Some cliches are good. ;)

I think I deleted my original comment.Or maybe posted it on someone else's blog. It's rather embarrassing.
Darn, I'm almost sorry I jumped the gun and read this book BEFORE Valentine's Day. It would've made a perfect gift.

I begged my hubby not to get me any chocolates this year, but no telling if he'll comply or not. And, ya know, I won't be TOO upset if he buys them. My ever-expanding waistline wouldn't be pleased, but my piggy palate would.
Jennifer Shirk said…
Ha! Thanks for making me so comfortable, Carol!!

I'm going to have to hide my chocolate from my kiddo too. Or by her her own. :)
Johanna Garth said…
I love the title to your book! And, after all the money I spent on chocolate getting ready this year, I have no problem believing that statistic.
Interesting Valentine's Day facts! We've already bought chocolate here, in preparation.

Looks like a great book!
DEZMOND said…
ooh, Jennifer is so very perdy... let us stare at her picture for ten minutes.... or so...
Katie W said…
My husband usually gets me some kind of chocolates--my fave!! But not flowers. I've never thought to buy my own...I think I'd rather have chocolates than flowers anyway. :)
Luanne G. Smith said…
Wow, that's a lot of chocolate and flowers! I love the chocolate, but cut flowers get a little depressing after a few days and they start to droop.

Congrats on the novel!
Shelley Munro said…
If I buy my own chocolates I get the ones I like :)
Jennifer Shirk said…
Thanks, everyone!

And Dezmond--stop staring. LOL
Carol Kilgore said…
Valentine Question...

Over the weekend I found a bowl of Fun Size M&Ms's left over from Halloween stuffed in a corner of the pantry. Can I put them in a red bag and give them to Live-In Handyman for Valentine's Day?
VR Barkowski said…
Jennifer: Interesting facts. Hmm, I've never sent myself flowers. Why wouldn't I just go out and buy them? Way less expensive. And chocolate is good all year round. No need to wait for V-Day. Congratulations on A Little Bit of Cupid!!

Carol: You certainly can unless Live-In Handyman reads your blog. :)

~VR Barkowski
Carol Kilgore said…
Diane - Happy EARLY Birthday!

Old Kitty - We like to shake things up around here every once in a while :)

Southpaw - I found your lost comment over on Friday's post :)

Jennifer - Hope you found a favorite cabana boy. It's almost margarita time!

Dezmond - Behave! And stop staring.
I sent my hubby out to buy me chocolate :)
Southpaw said…
LOL! At least it was on your blog. I must have clicked the wrong link. Oopsies.
Arlee Bird said…
I've been known to buy chocolate for myself on Valentine's Day and many other days as well. I do my part for the chocolate industry.

Lee
Have you ever compiled a life soundtrack?
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
J.L. Campbell said…
Hi, Jennifer,
Interesting facts about Valentine's day, most of which I didn't know. Hope A Little bit Cupid does well.
Jemi Fraser said…
I think we should all contribute to that chocolate statistic!

I just read your story last night - and loved it! What a fun story - I know everyone will enjoy it :)
Unknown said…
I buy my own chocolate on Valentine's Day and any other day I feel like it -- and I feel like it a lot! Not very fond of flowers though.
Thanks for the fun post! :-)
Helena said…
What a charming Cupid story that I'll just have to check out. And I didn't know any of those chocolate or Valentine's Day facts.
I'm almost surprised 27% of women are buying flowers! I shouldn't be. Hubby buys me chocolate, and I buy him chocolate covered cherries, because he likes them and only gets them at Valentine's.

Shannon at The Warrior Muse
LR said…
I buy roses and chocolate all year round. :)

Don't need a special day
I may end up buying myself some chocolate this year. Hubby seems to think we've been married too long to bother with all the romantic nonsense (*sigh* that's what I get for marrying a scientist!). Love the sound of A Little Bit Cupid--totally off to check it out now!
Jennifer Shirk said…
Thanks, Jemi! So sweet!

Shannon: I KNOW! I was surprised by that too. But I bet they're sending it to themselves at work so other people see! LOL
Anonymous said…
Alas, I am one of those who buys chocolate throughout the year, so the trophy hubby doesn't have to buy any.
In fact, I hate- really HATE- receiving gifts, so he is forbidden to buy me anything at all. He has no idea how lucky he is...:D
PS Hugs to all the ladies who send themselves flowers. That takes guts.
Tracy Jo said…
Jennifer, your books sounds great. I added to my list! Happy Valentine's week to you and Carol!
Carol Kilgore said…
Southpaw - No problem!

Happy Valentine's Day to all!
A Little Bit Cupid matches the theme of love for this week!

Thanks for sharing Jennifer!

Hi Carol! *tiptoeing around, has Maria already been here?*
Melissa said…
So it's Cadbury we should blame for the extra poundage. Hmm...

Congrats, Jennifer. I know what I'll be reading on the 14th. ;)
Carol Kilgore said…
Nas - I haven't seen Maria this week.

Melissa - and Hershey.
A little bit cupid sounds interesting, Valentine's Day is not a special day for me except that it is my darling daughters birthday.
Karen Lange said…
Fun facts! I knew it was a big deal, but didn't realize just how much. Good to see Jennifer here! :)
Rachna Chhabria said…
Jennifer's book sounds like something I would definitely want to read. Good luck to her.
Happy Valentine everyone!
Those stats are something else... what is it with humans and chocolates? (I'm not really a choccie person)
Emily R. King said…
Cute cover! Congrats to Jennifer.

Hi, Carol! I hope your February is going well!
Julie Flanders said…
Congratulations, Jennifer! I love your book cover. Happy Valentine's Day to you and Carol both. :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Jo-Anne - Happy Birthday to your daughter!

Karen - I didn't realize it either.

Rachna - I enjoyed it - a fun read!

Michelle - Happy Valentine's Day! I thought everyone loved chocolate :)

Emily - Going great. Very busy so far. I like that :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Julie - We crossed. Happy V Day to you, too :)
M Pax said…
I went to the local chocolate shop last week and bought some for my sister & nieces & the husband unit. So I certainly contributed.

Congrats to Jennifer! And I believe I did visit you at Lynda's, Carol.

Happy Valentines!
Gwen Gardner said…
Interesting statistics. So what does the hubs get your for Valentine's Day? The book sounds really cute. Congrats on your new release, Jennifer.

Hi Carol! *waves*
Carol Kilgore said…
M Pax - Most likely. There've been a ton of comments and people new to me over there.

Gwen - Waving back :)
Christine Rains said…
Great post! I had no idea that much chocolate is consumed. I'm guilty of buying my own, but it's a year round love of mine and not just for February. My son and I made banana bread for my husband for Valentine's day. He likes that much better than chocolate!
Carol Kilgore said…
Christine - The banana bread is cool :)
Missed Periods said…
I love the premise of the story. Cal should definitely buy Phoebe some chocolate and flowers!
dolorah said…
The book sound very sweet. And I didn't contribute to that 15% - this year.

.......dhole
Very cute book cover Jennifer! Happy Valentine's Day to Jennifer and Carol!

Julie
DWei said…
Happy singles awareness day to you too. :P
Anonymous said…
I love the cover. :)

I'll be consuming plenty of chocolate today.

Happy Valentine's Day!
Carol Kilgore said…
Jennie - A sure way to a woman's heart :)

Donna - Good for you!

Julie - Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!

DWei - Love your take!

Medeia - Probably most of us will be right there with you :)
Bonnee Crawford said…
I don't celebrate Valentine's Day anymore. My boyfriend and I find more significance on days like our anniversary and birthdays. But it's still very cute, and A Little Bit Cupid sounds adorable! :)

15% of women sending themselves flowers... I find that a little bit depressing.
Carol Kilgore said…
Bonnee - I found that figure a little depressing, too :)

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