The JOY of Art - Celebrating Valentine's Day

A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love.

- Mother Teresa

Art is a beautiful way of expressing the heartfelt emotions of love. So on this Valentine’s Day – from young love to mature love, from classics to pets – here’s an assortment of artwork that speaks to me on so many levels.

Thoughts? Any favorites?

Cinderella

By Ruth Sanderson

You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep

because reality is finally better than your dreams.

– Dr. Seuss

Grow Old Along with Me

By Paula Vaughn

Young Summer Love

By Vickie Wade

All you need is love.
But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.

– Charles M. Schulz

For My Valentine

By Tom Wood

The Waltz

By Morgan Weistling

They invented hugs to let people know you love them

without saying anything.

- Bill Keane

Moments to Remember

By Mark Keathley

Arthur Saron Sarnoff

Love doesn’t make the world go round.

Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

– Franklin P. Jones

The Secret Admirer

By Jim Daly

The Road Ahead

By John Sloane

No Place Like Home

By Diane Dengel

Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.

– Robert Browning

Romantic Hideaway

By Mikki Senkarik

Coffee with Love

By Iwona Lifsches

Amy Rosenberg

More romantic-themed art on my Pinterest board at

Love, the Greatest Gift

Review: Paper Hearts

Paper Hearts
By Courtney Walsh
Tyndale House, 2015


Summary

Abigail Pressman would never have guessed that love notes penned on paper hearts by an anonymous couple could restore her belief in love. As a business owner in a quaint town at the base of the Rockies, she’s poured everything into dreams of expansion . . . and resisting the matchmaking efforts of the Valentine Volunteers, who gather in her store to continue Loves Park’s tradition of stamping mail with the city’s romantic postmark.

When Abigail is unwillingly drafted into the Volunteers, she encounters the paper hearts, a distraction that couldn’t come at a worse time. A hard-to-read doctor has become Abigail’s new landlord, and he’s threatening to end her lease to expand his practice.

As she fights a growing attraction to this handsome man crushing her dreams, Abigail is inspired to string the hearts in her store, sparking a citywide infatuation with the artsy trend. But when a new batch of hearts reaches the Volunteers, it appears something tragic has happened to the couple. Will uncovering their story confirm Abigail’s doubts about love, or could it rescue her dreams . . . and her heart?


My thoughts

Paper Hearts is the first of Courtney Walsh's books that I've read, and to be honest, I was initially drawn by the charming cover. As a result, I discovered a most satisfying and delightful story, filled with humor, populated by endearing characters, and with a charismatic setting - and am  now a Courtney Walsh fan.

Paper Hearts has an appealing cover, a town obsessed by love for a setting, and valentine messages scattered throughout, yet romance isn't the central theme. It's more about personal relationships and struggles with guilt, anger, hurt, and unforgiveness. Thinking I was in for a light, fluffy read, I was pleasantly surprised at the depth and emotion within.

I love it when setting almost becomes a main character, and that is exactly what happens here. Loves Park, Colorado - a small town nestled in the Rocky Mountains that is literally obsessed with romance, a "prime location for weddings, honeymoons, and those looking to rekindle what they once had." Small towns where everyone knows everyone else aren't always as idyllic as they sound, but I think the good wins out in Loves Park.

Jacob could see Longs Peak from his back porch

Another major character is actually a group of five eccentric ladies called the Valentine Volunteers and I don't think anyone could help but fall in love with them. Ursula - flamboyant, outspoken, and bold - plays a big part in this story, and I can so identify with her comment, "At some point you should be old enough to make the rules up yourself."

I found Jacob and Abigail easy to relate to with their imperfections, brokenness, and attempts to cope by staying busy. I'm not sure how realistic it was for Abigail to care for the man who was forcing her out of the book store that meant everything to her, but that didn't keep me from enjoying their growing relationship.  It was touching to see them learn to relinquish control and learn the value of putting the other person's needs before self. "You make me want to live again" . . . These words written on a valentine are what Jacob and Abigail brought out in each other.

As with a lot of fiction, I felt there could be a little less rehashing of thoughts at times, and I wanted Jacob to be strong and stand up for Abigail rather than go along quietly with his totally unlikeable business partner - but that eventually changes and this story has so much going for it that I was completely won over.

_________________________

"The very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full

of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness.

All these things make up a love story."

-  Gigi

_________________________

I think the strength of this story comes from the valentine messages sent by one special couple to Loves Park through the years - messages that focused on positive aspects, what they loved and appreciated about their spouse. This should be a challenge to all of us, for I can't help but think what an impact there would be in any relationship if we quick to forgive, focused on positive qualities rather than negative, and communicated those feelings in a meaningful way.

I greatly enjoyed Paper Hearts and will be reading more from Courtney Walsh. The ending is quite satisfying, but leaves an opening for further development. I really hope this becomes a series, for there are secondary characters that simply beg for their own story. And who wouldn't want to see more of the Valentine Volunteers?!

You've got to watch this cute trailer . . .

Courtney Walsh

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, artist, theatre director, and playwright. Her debut novel, "A Sweethaven Summer," hit the "New York Times" and "USA Today" e-book bestseller lists and was a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. She has written two more books in the Sweethaven Summer series, as well as two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives in Illinois with her husband and three children.

Visit Courtney online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Paper Hearts can be purchased online at CBD, DeeperShopping, Amazon, and B&N.

Thank you to Tyndale House for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Joy of ART - Love, the Greatest of These

"Marry Me" by Tricia Reilly-Matthews

Romantic paintings are so much fun!! Whether whimsical or elegant, nostalgic or impressionistic, young love or love that has endured through the years, they are full of joy, promise and hope. Click on the images for larger views, and may these give you joy today . . .

Frederick Sands Brunner / Arthur Saron Sarnoff

"Romance in Santorini" by Mikki Senkarik

"Cupid's Arrow" / "For My Valentine" by Tom Wood

"School Romance" by John Bindon

"Dance Under the Rain" by Leonid Afremov

Bob Hefferan

"Groundwork" / "Road Ahead" by John Sloane

"Magnolia Morning" by Mort Kunstler

"No Place Like Home" by Diane Dengel

"Fall in Love" / "Love of My Life" by Tricia Reilly-Matthews

"Moments to Remember" by Mark Keathley

But I think it's these paintings by Paula Vaughn depicting a joyous and lasting love that are my favorites . . .

"Always and Forever" by Paula Vaughn

"Grow Old Along with Me" by Paula Vaughn

What paintings speak to you?

Posted on Mary Hill's Literacy Musing Mondays

No words necessary . . .

 

 

 

 

 

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

Thoughts on "Love's Finest Moments"

By Bob Russell
 

Bob Russell, retired Senior Minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, posted a thought on "love's finest moments" each day on his Facebook page in the week leading up to Valentine's Day.  These are just too good not to share.

 

·         When you don’t feel like being patient, thoughtful, generous, and kind, yet do it anyway.

 

·         When you forgive a hurtful offense because the future relationship matters more than your present pain.

 

·         When you overlook the 2% that irritates you because you so appreciate the 98% that inspires you.

 

·         When you give sacrificially of self without expecting favored treatment or any reciprocation.

 

·         When, after decades of familiarity, you still treat the other with respect, tenderness & admiration.

 

·         When you sacrifice time, money & energy for another’s good, knowing they will probably never discover it.

 

·         When you set aside an immediate interest and listen patiently, even though it doesn’t seem to really matter

 

·         When you're so comfortable together that you can sit in silence without feeling awkward or bored. You are just content.

 

*Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net