Since this is a Valentine's Hop, I've traveled in time and met up with the characters from my m/m novels to ask them one question:
What is love to you?
The Mercenary Slave- Izz-Sarava (Melassar) & Wybert- Medieval Era
Wybert's dark eyes peruse Melassar as the tall blonde stands near the fireplace. His countenance is serious as he feeds the flames and ponders the question.
"You have come here to ask us only this?
I nod.
Abruptly, he grins and lets out a sharp barking laugh. I look at Wybert. The giant of a man sitting on a nearby stool is also smiling. Melassar clears his voice, making me turn my attention back to him.
"Love is when the mere thought of losing someone causes such agony in your heart that death would be preferable."
Wybert nods. "After the incident with Zshanti, I thought I'd never see Melassar again." His brow creases and a pained look crosses his face. "The thought that I might never be able to touch him, hold him and tell him how much he means to me, was like a bleeding wound in my heart that knew no end."
Blind Beauty- James & Richard- Regency era
I take a sip of my tea and look closely at Richard and James. They sit together on the couch in front of me, holding hands. They're dressed in usual regency fashion, though unlike the era's standards, Richard wears his dark hair long and loose. Richard arches an eyebrow as he notices my stare and I look away, slightly flustered. Gay or not, the over six foot man is intimidating and sexy as hell. I turn my attention to the room. Sunlight filters through the large floor to ceiling windows framed by light green curtains. The furniture is scarce but richly carved with natural elements.
"Richard carved most of it," James says. I look up and can't help smiling at the glint of pride that dances in his blue eyes. After a few minutes of small talk, I ask them the question.
James smiles. The gesture gives him an almost boyish air that makes my heart flutter. Unlike Richard, he doesn't exude raw masculine power, but there's something about him that makes my legs go weak. Perhaps, it's his dark, melodious voice.
"Love is knowing that the person you're with loves you inside and out. They don't care if you have scars on your face, if you're ugly or overweight. They love you the way you are."
Softly, Richard kisses the top of James's head. The blonde leans his head on the larger's man shoulder, clearly at ease.
"Love is knowing that you can be yourself in every way and the other person won't judge you for it, to the contrary, they care for you because of it. Love is being accepted by your partner."
Spanish Diversion- Alejandro & Shane- Contemporary
Loud Spanish pop music blares through the speakers as we sit at a cafeteria waiting for our café con leche. Alejandro and Shane speak animatedly about some TV program they've been watching. I smile as I notice how much Alejandro's English has improved. Finally, the conversation turns towards love and Valentine's day.
"We're not celebrating it," Shane says. "We believe that celebrating love is a daily thing. If I want to give him a gift, I just do. I don't have to wait until the 14th of February to tell him how much I love him."
Alejandro nods and takes a sip of his black coffee.
"It's a very, what do they call it in English, a very commercial holiday. It's lost meaning." He looks at Shane and a slow, sensual smile spreads across his lips. To my surprise, Shane blushes. Alejandro laughs. "When you love someone, you love them all year long."
"But, what is love?"
"Ah, la eterna cuestión," Alejandro says. He folds his hands on the table in front of him and pierces me with a gaze. "El amor no tiene definición."
"In English, Jandro, or the readers won't understand you." Shane places his hands over Alejandro's, catching his attention. Quickly, Alejandro inverts the position, taking Shane's hand into his and squeezing.
"Love has no definition," he plunges on. "When you love someone you are their friend and their partner. You wish to know more about them, you wish to be better for them. You want to be with that person at all times. You want to see them smile, laugh, be happy." He glances at Shane and a sort of silent communication seems to pass between them. "You desire them in every way possible." Shane blushes and tries to pull his hand away but Alejandro keeps him in place. "It's all that but it's also more. There are components in love that can't be explained. Love just is. When it happens, you know it."
"You can fight it all you want," Shane adds, "but in the end, it gets you."
I'm giving away a $10 Amazon Gift card! If you want to enter my giveaway just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter. *smiles*
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Now go and Hop some more!
Being with someone that makes you happy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
Love the thoughts on love. To me love is wanting to be with that person even when they are grumpy.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
trust, loyal, honest, faithful, having good communication, understanding, and patience >>> for me that is love
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentines Day! Enjoy this special day with your family and Love one!
Thanks for allowing me to participate!~
maria_lhaine@yahoo.com
Great thoughts. To me, it's being with someone who accepts you for who you are. You make eachother happy and are eachothers best friends as well as lovers.
ReplyDeletedreamseeker331(at)gmail(dot)com
Love is always being there in good times and bad, for being understanding and making each other happy.
ReplyDeleteShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk
Hey! Thanks for joining the hop. :)
ReplyDelete~M
Love to me is falling asleep in his arms or to the sound of his breathing and just knowing that he will still be there in the morning. Thanks for the chance to enter! Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeletewendynjason04@gmail.com
DeleteLove to me is being with the one that can make you smile and feel safe! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteLove is beautiful, a powerful connection, happiness, trust, and comprise!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day!
Great Blog Hop! Really enjoyed reading your characters thoughts on love. Happy V Day! lgrant1@san.rr.com
ReplyDeleteLove is kind and caring about another's well being above your own.
ReplyDeletestrive4bst(AT) yahoo(Dot) com
Love is knowing that you'll always have someone in your corner, and that person knowing they'll always have someone in theirs.
ReplyDeleteoh yeah, katcleve25@gmail.com
DeleteGreat idea and a lovely blog, Elyzabeth!
ReplyDeleteLove it when the characters give their opinions! :) Happy V Day, Elyzabeth!
ReplyDeleteLove for me is cooking a great meal for my hubby
ReplyDeleteLove the excerpts! Don't know that I can say it better than your guys...or even as well as. To me, love is when you forget you're putting someone else's desires/feelings before your own because it just comes naturally.
ReplyDeleteHope you had an excellent birthday!
~Charley
Love is always wanting what's best for the other person!
ReplyDeletevitajex(At)Aol(Dot)com
doing nice things for someone else
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
The excerpts were awesome. What else is there to say they said it all. I don't think there's just one explanation of what love is. It's alot of different things combined.
ReplyDeletemarsh10@netzero.com
Love is supporting your loved one. Being there, helping, comforting, etc. Your there for the little thing and the big. Its accepting all there faults and loving there family too! Even when you want to smack them. lol Thank you! Happy Valentines day!
ReplyDeleteshadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com