Romance/Love: February 10, 2021 Issue [#10604]
<< February 3, 2021Romance/Love Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueFebruary 24, 2021 >>




 This week: Sweet, Sweet, Sweetness
  Edited by: NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

A few years ago my husband was working on Valentine's Day. We're not big on Valentine's Day or anything like that, but it's nice to have a little moment of acknowledgement of this day where sweetness for sweetness's sake is encouraged.

I went onto social media and posted: "This Valentine's Day blows. Where is the chocolate?"

Readers and writers of romance, I am NaNoNette Author Icon and I will help you get through this week.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07YXBT9JT
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Letter from the editor

Sweet, Sweet, Sweetness


Is Valentine's Day a basic Hallmark Holiday or is there more to the story?

It turns out, that sweetness that we associate with Valentine's Day started out a long time ago.

The Aztecs already knew of the aphrodisiac properties of chocolate. Their magic potion was a simple mix of cacao with ground maize. Sometimes, to add some spice, they added ground chili. A far cry from the sweet milk chocolate bars of today. In the same way real love can have some bitter parts, the Aztecs had the blend of sweet, bitter, and spicy just right.

The effects of chocolate were known not only to Aztecs, but to ancient Greeks also. They knew how powerful the stuff is as they called it "Theobroma cacao" which means "food for the Gods."

Chocolate inflames desire and makes your beloved more open to romance. Being privy to that knowledge, European royals gave their lovers chocolates mixed with amber to stimulate them.

Science is on the side of those who give chocolates on Valentine's Day. As the chocolate makes its way through your lover, it causes several physiological effects. The brain feels soothed while energy and desire levels rise. The naturally elevated mood from eating chocolates will give your lover feelings of being in love.

The idea to give heart shaped boxes of chocolates for Valentine's Day was obviously a business decision. Richard Cadbury's chocolate company released the first ever such boxes more than 100 years ago in mid-nineteenth century England. Cadbury marketed the boxes for double duty. First, they would contain his new brand of "eating chocolate," versus "drinking chocolate." Second, that heart-shaped box would become a keepsake for special mementos shared between lovers.

Designating a day to give chocolates to a lover sounds like good relationship policy. Here on Writing.Com, we have the Chocolate Emporium for virtual delicacies of the chocolate kind. There is also a contest that teaches you about all the different types of love. If all else fails, you can always send a Valentine's Day c-note. Find those resources to make the site more romantic below.


Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2242688 by Not Available.

 
STATIC
Bob and Rachel Open in new Window. (18+)
Bob rekindles his old romance with Rachel - for Write from the Heart Story Contest
#2134705 by Christopher Roy Denton Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
Love is in the Air! (PETS)  Open in new Window. (13+)
Are you a Animal lover? if so, you can write a poem about your furry friend.
#2169111 by Beacon's Anchor Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
The Bard's Hall Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
NOVEMBER: Comedy... Thanksgiving with the Family
#981150 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
Rach's Chocolate Emporium  Open in new Window. (13+)
A place to purchase reviews, merit badges, and awardicons. We also sell yummy chocolate.
#2155763 by Choconut Author IconMail Icon

 
STATIC
Inside the Darkness Open in new Window. (13+)
The light in the center of darkness. Maybe a vampire isn't all that bad.
#716584 by Joy Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2182592 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1977066 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#601576 by Not Available.

 
STATIC
Earrings from Tiffany's  Open in new Window. (18+)
A gift for Valentine's day that is not appreciated
#1978447 by ~Minja~ Author IconMail Icon

A Promise Honored Open in new Window. (18+)
Some promises are difficult to keep
#2196712 by Bikerider Author IconMail Icon

STATIC
A St. Valentine's Day Gift Open in new Window. (XGC)
The night is filled with endless possibilities.
#1972047 by Bikerider Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B07P4NVL51
Amazon's Price: Price N/A


Ask & Answer

If you wondered what happened as a result of my Valentine's Day social media post: It worked. My husband came home from work bearing several tablets of chocolate.

I received one reply to my last Romance/Love newsletter "Nemesis to Lover" Open in new Window.

Bikerider Author Icon wrote: Your May 6th newsletter made some very good points. Having characters competing with each other is a great way to generate conflict in a love story. I've used other conflicts in some of my romance stories, but never a competition; but it will be in my next romance story. Thank you for the idea. "A Promise Honored" Open in new Window.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Since it was a while ago, did you get around to use competition as a hook for a romance?


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B004PICKDS
Amazon's Price: Price N/A

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


<< February 3, 2021Romance/Love Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueFebruary 24, 2021 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.