Love... Even the word sounds like a sigh. But is it a sigh of contentment—or of regret? If you've found it, the world shines in colors vivid. If you've lost it, life fades into grays and shadows. There's nothing quite as intense as falling in love. Or as the feeling of loss when it ends.
This is a blog hop to celebrate love: lost, or found, or—both? Whether in short fiction, or a brief essay, or poetry, or even (especially for us Battle of the Bands participants) via a song, tell us a love story. Whether it's of loss or a happily-ever-after is up to you—as is the genre. Sci-fi, thriller, comedy, memoir—it's all good. "Love" is, after all, so much more than just "romance". On Monday February 1st, it's all about love, in all its forms. The only limit is your creativity.
The Lost & Found: Valentine's Edition blog hop was born as a collaboration with Arlee Bird, and we're thrilled to have enlisted fabulous help from co-hosts Denise Covey, Yolanda Renee, Elizabeth Seckman, and the Ninja Captain himself, Alex Cavanaugh.
Sign up to the Love Lost & Found extravaganza at the linky below. See you on Monday February 1st!
Hi Guilie - Happy New Year ... and the Lost and Found fest will be fun to read the entries ... I guess I could write about 'my' "Lost and Found" pub that we went to in the summer and draft a story around it ... and I may - we shall see - enjoy though, I see you've got 12 signed up ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, that would be FABULOUS! Please do join in... Your posts are always such a treat, and this pub sounds like a perfect tie-in! I'll keep my fingers crossed to find your name in the sign-up list one of these days ;)
DeleteHappy New Year, Guilie! ☺
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day per se (it's a fake, commercialized holiday), I do believe the sentiment should be expressed year round and at will. ☺ Love this blog hop idea and especially the BOTB tie-in! How can one resist such a combination? Plus, I'm living one of the greatest love stories of all time, so count me in. We'll be celebrating wedding anniversary #43 this summer.
Anniversary #43?!?! WOW, Debbie! That's absolutely worth celebrating year-round! I know what you mean, though... I'm no fan of Valentine's myself; seems like it's a set-up for dashed expectations no matter what. And—as you'll know from experience yourself—once you have that fabulous love story, you realize that one day is simply not enough to celebrate adequately :D I'm hoping this blog hop will attract more than just straight-up romance... The idea of love, the pros and cons, the misery and the ecstasy... There's so much to explore :)
DeleteHappy 2016, Debbie! Here's to another year of happy blogging together :)
Yup; #43! We can barely believe it ourselves, but we met in 1971 and as they say, the rest is history. We always joke that we stay together because nobody else would put up with either one of us. ☺ It hasn't all be rosy and there were some rocky years, but we were determined to make it work. I'll share more in the blog hop. Hope you get lots of stories from all angles.
DeleteI'll turn 43 this year... You've been married as long as I've been alive, Debbie. Which is already remarkable (given the inordinately high rate of divorce in both our generations), but the fact that you're so much in love, that you still keep the feeling that you're "living one of the greatest love stories of all time"... Well, that's just beyond compare. You're lucky people, Debbie. No, actually—scratch that. It's not about luck, is it? You're excellent human beings with your priorities straight... And for that you deserve a standing ovation :)
DeleteWell shit, now I feel old! ;) We are somewhat proud of ourselves and it hasn't always been easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is, yes? You're right; luck has little to do with it, other than perhaps the initial meeting. That said, it was instant dislike at first sight. Amazing how things evolved!
DeleteHi Guilie, thanks for including me in this wonderful blogfest. Romance is a daily thing, but February brings focus to it. So much to write about, a subject like no other. Looking forward to it. The WEP is tackling the Valentine this challenge, should be an interesting month.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Thank *you* for joining, Yolanda—on top of your already busy schedule, too! I'm so glad you're a part of this, and I know it'll be a lot of fun. Yep, love really does make the world go round ;)
DeleteWhat a great idea for a blog hop, I was hoping to find some that I could take part in this year. Talking of this year, Happy New year, I hope you have a great one. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like it, Joss—and very much looking forward to reading your contribution to the hop! 2016 is starting out pretty cool ;)
DeleteThanks for the visit and happy new year to you too!
Your opening to this post was so beautifully written that now I'm anxiously awaiting your post on the topic--you have a real gift of written expression. Thanks for the collaboration on this blog fest. I think we'll get some outstanding entries.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Thank you, Lee! I'm happy you liked it—but now I'm afraid expectations will be way too high for the post, haha. So glad we're doing this! You're right, the entries are going to be great... Already looking forward to reading :)
DeleteI agree with Arlee! You did a great intro. I just copied and pasted. Writer envy is good...reminds me to step up my game a little :)
ReplyDeleteHaha... Thank you, Elizabeth—and I'm so glad you're a part of this!
DeleteOver twenty people so far!
ReplyDeleteThe list is growing... And it's only the first days! It'll be a good one :) Thanks for stopping by, Alex!
DeleteJust signed in.. hoping to read lots of lovely posts..
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad to hear it, Arpita, and I'm looking forward to reading your own contribution :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteIt's a fantastic idea, Guilie. I may not be able to participate since I'm travelling during that time, but have a blast! :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that, Corinne... I'm sure you would've come up with something beautiful for the hop. Next time ;) (And I'm very glad you like the idea.) Thanks for the visit, and have a wonderful time on your travels!
DeleteThe signup link is giving me errors when I am trying to signup
ReplyDeleteThat's not good, Kreative Doting. I had the same problem when I first tried to sign up with my 2nd blog, but I reloaded the page and it worked... Please let me know if you're still having problems; I can have the linky admin sign you up if you like :) And thanks for letting me know about the issue!
DeleteTried again and succeeded! Thanks! Can't wait to start writing for this contest!
DeleteGood luck to you all too!
Great blog hop and happy to participate. Looking forward to read the many love stories :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it, Parul! Looking forward to your contribution :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteNow to find a musical Muse to join me during this jaunt down lovers lane *wink*
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Sam! Looking forward to your offering... I know it'll be fabulous!
DeleteI signed up.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm off to think about my piece and the direction it will go. I have one or two ideas.
Yay, Michelle! Looking forward to your post!
DeleteI love this idea for a blog hop and am excited to have participated. Not too thrilled about the typo I inadvertently put into the linky :(
ReplyDelete