Musing Monday..How Do I Love Thee..

..let me count the ways.
It seems that this week we have a have a Valentine's Day question from the desk of Miz B at Should Be Reading.
 

This week’s musing (in honor of St. Valentine‘s Day) asks two questions, but you only need to answer one…

If you read romance novels, answer this question:

Who are your favorite “romance” authors? Why?

If you do NOT read romance novels, answer this question instead:

Do you read love-themed books in honor of Valentine’s Day? Or, Valentine’s Day books, specifically? If so, give us some examples! If not, why not?

There, I made the question all pink. I think that is enough celebration of Valentine's Day!

"Patron of Love, Young People, Happy Marriages
269, Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in the persecution under Claudius II. He was apprehended, and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome, who, on finding all his promises to make him renounce his faith in effectual, commended him to be beaten with clubs, and afterwards, to be beheaded, which was executed on February 14, about the year 270."

Poor St. Valentine might not recognize what has happen to his feast day, overrun with chocolate and roses and expensive dinners...and romance novels. All the rest might be good and fine..and another great money maker for Hallmark cards and jewelery stores...but I draw the line at romance novels.

"Hey! Wait! Aren't you the one who said you were happy to see people reading anything last week?"
Yes, but remember my last line about never wanting to be seem with one of those books with the cover showing a shirtless man with long, flowing hair. OK, if you like romance books, that is certainly fine. But really, tell me, what is with those covers? Is it to force you to only read them in the privacy of your home? Obviously the covers work, because they keep using them. Seriously, if women...and I assume it is virtually all women reading them...enjoy them, great.

But no, to answer the question in my usual roundabout way, I am not a romance reader nor a Valentine reader nor I am not a seasonal reader of any sort. No love-themed books for me this week. I don't really read Christmas books, or Thanksgiving books...and nothing with shirtless guys staring at me.