Barbara Valentin's Blog

Hello! It’s been a bit since I’ve posted, but you can keep up with my new content by subscribing to Starting Over in Stumptown. See you there!

[image error]It’s almost Valentine’s Day! Are you ready for romance?

Pop on by the Hearts & Flowers Facebook Hop starting today through February 17th where some of the best and brightest romantic comedy authors (moi included) will be celebrating the most romantic time of the year with tons of fun and romantic reads that will give Chick Lit/RomCom fans all the feels!

Party with 40+ of us best-selling romantic writers who will be doing individual giveaways, including books, author swag, gift cards, and/or V...

Presenting my annual Ode to Thanksgiving, set to the tune of “Leaving on a Jet Plane” (with my humblest apologies to the late, great John Denver). Enjoy!

[image error]Well the turkey’s bought, it’s thawing now.
It looked much smaller at the store.
I need to fill my oven with this bird.
But the pies need baking, the stuffing too.
The rolls can wait, but what to do?
Already I’m so worried I could cry.

“So grill it and bake the rest,”
That’s what my wise sis said.
“Cook it on a bed of hot charcoal.”

‘Cause I...

[image error]It’s finally here, that point in my fledging writing career when I’m within a bookmark’s length of achieving a lofty literary dream – making a bestseller list.

While I’ve got five published novels to my name, “making a list” has eluded me. Longtime readers know of which I speak.

Enter my esteemed publisher who is all about making dreams come true.

Last year, she solicited short stories from those of us in her employ who have yet to be able to put “Bestselling Author” in front of our names. I...

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It’s late May, that time of year when my peony bushes begin to sprout big pink ant-filled buds. While I love the smell, bringing them into the house is akin to asking the pest control guy to move in with me.

It also marks the one-year anniversary of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis – the same disease that did my grandfather in when I was a baby. While I have no memory of him to fall back on, I’ve heard the story of Grandpa Bill’s affliction  my entire life. How he awoke one morning...

[image error]Join me and 40+ other bestselling Chick Lit and Romantic Comedy authors May 7th-13th when we’ll be celebrating International Chick Lit Month with the fun and prize-filled Happily Ever After Hop!

[image error]Don’t miss the party fun, including individual giveaways (books, author swag, gift cards, etc.) and other fabulous prizes! Psst…I’ll be offering a chance to win a yummy ORDER UP prize pack.

Here’s the best part – you can enter to win one of the event’s Grand Prizes which include an incredible, royal-t...

I know, I know…I’ve been on radio silence lately, but I’ve been a little busy writing, editing and writing some more, and I’m thrilled to finally announce that I have two new releases – one out today, one coming soon!

[image error]First up is my first short story! SPRING AHEAD, a prequel to Help Wanted (Assignment: Romance book #2) tells the tale of what happens after Claire Nelson, a single-minded college senior with her sites set on eventually hitting the New York Times bestseller list, crosses paths wi...

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Are you excited about Valentine’s Day? The authors at Chick Lit Chat HQ are, and they know quite a bit about romance (not to mention gorgeous guys and swoon-worthy storylines) which is why they’ve put together a fun-filled event that celebrates all these wonderful things.

That’s right, book lovers, it’s time for the Sweet Treats & Yummy Reads Hop! Starting February 12th, 40+ Chick Lit and RomCom authors (including yours truly) will be throwing a fabulous, Valentine-themed bash on Facebook a...

Please accept my belated welcome to the new year, but the final days of 2017 left me feeling a little worse for wear. Lots of ups and downs.

Here’s an up:

[image error]I got another most welcome round of edits back on ORDER UP.

And here’s a down:

[image error]They arrived in my inbox just a few days before Christmas and needed a quick turnaround.

Another up:

[image error]My editor, lovely woman that she is, allowed a brief extension due to the holidays.

Back down again:

[image error]I came down with a bad head cold (thank you very much fellow...

If you thought hopping was only done by bunnies at Easter, you haven’t experienced Chick Lit Chat HQ’s annual Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop! 62 bestselling and award-winning authors (including yours truly) in the Chick Lit and Romantic Comedy genres are participating in this year’s fun-filled event and each one is doing a fabulous giveaway. Books, swag, and assorted holiday treats are all up for grabs! In addition, you can enter to win one of three Grand Prizes ($100 Amazon gift cards) on the h...