What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day then to imagine yourself in a romantic country like Italy.
Italians have a flair for romance and always celebrated Valentines Day in some fashion.

In ancient times Valentine's Day was initially celebrated as a Spring Festival in Italy. Celebration for the day was held in the open air. Young people would gather in tree arbors or ornamental gardens and enjoy listening to music and reading of poetry. Later they would stroll off with their Valentine into the gardens. The custom steadily ceased over the course of years and has not been celebrated for centuries. Betrothed couple used to announce their engagement on the Valentine's Day. Several days ahead of February 14, stores were decorated and loaded with a huge variety of bon-bon. Some even sold china baskets and cups filled with delectable Valentine's Day candies and tied with a ribbon. These were to be presented as gifts to Valentine.Another interesting Valentine's Day tradition was for unmarried girls to wake up before sunrise. People strongly believed that the first man an unmarried girl sees on Valentine's Day, or someone who looks like him would marry her within a year. Girls therefore used to wake up early on Valentine's Day and stand by their window to watch a man pass.

In recent times however, lovers in Italy celebrate Valentine's Day by expressing their love to sweethearts. Couples usually go out for dinners at pizzeria or restaurant. Just as in several other countries, the festival has been commercialized to a great extent. There is a strong tradition to exchange gifts like rose, perfume, chocolates and diamonds depending on the age and taste of person. Another popular Valentine's Day gift in Italy is Baci Perugina - a small, chocolate-covered hazelnuts containing a small slip of paper with a romantic poetic quote in four languages.
What's your favorite Valentine custom? A romantic dinner for two. Sharing a sunrise or sunset? Enjoying a bottle of wine? Perhaps you can adopt an ancient custom from Italy or come up with some new and romantic custom on your way. It doesn't matter really, as long as you enjoy the day.

Celebrate Valentines Day with a Great Read

The Wine Seekers is now available at www.amazon.com for just 12.95


A shattered dream, a gold medallion, a long guarded family secret, and forbidden love drives Nicola Romolo on a perilous journey from his Italian home to the serene Napa Valley where he struggles to begin a family dynasty destined to become one of the most powerful wine producers in the world.
Coffee Time Romance Reviews:

The Wine Seekers really shows just how differently people’s lives can turn out when all the odds are against them. Linda Bilodeau does a wonderful job of portraying the plight of immigrants, especially Italians to the United States. The Wine Seekers will pull at your heart strings with just how unfair life can be sometimes. This story for the most part was really well written.


Encourage your library to purchase a copy of The Wine Seekers by filling out a request card to purchase card.

Here's the Information you'll need:
Title: The Wine Seekers
Author: Linda Bilodeau
Publisher: Highland Press - A Romance Writers Of America recognized small press
Release Date: December, 2008
ISBN: 978 0 9815573 7 3
Genre: Historical Fiction - Pages: 266 – Trade Paper - Retail price: $12.95
Availability: Ingrams, Baker & Taylor, All Retail Outlets and online booksellers.

Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com