Author reveals the passion between the pages.USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Ellen Carter uncovers the history of romance fiction and why she loves writing it.Romance fiction may be one of the most misunderstood genres in literary history. But to dismiss it as simply light-weight, disposable fiction is to ignore its long and fascinating history.In a literary context, romance comes from 'Romans' and is used in the same context as the 'romance' languages of Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. It refers to the storytelling style made popular by the Romans that focuses on a main character who is on a quest for some noble good.Famous examples include Medieval chivalric romances such as the Arthurian legends and The Knight's Tale from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales which also included elements of courtly love.A more modern example of this type of romance can be found in any number of film westerns where our stoic cowboy is on a quest and there is either a romantic...

Romantic and affordable ideas for Valentine’s Day.Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and with a little bit of imagination and a heart full of love, you can surprise your sweet Valentine without breaking the bank.As Douglas Booth once said, “The most romantic things are very small, kind gestures from people you love.” So, on Tuesday, 14 February, make your beau swoon with these budget-friendly romantic gestures.Handwritten love letterThere’s nothing more romantic than receiving a handwritten love letter from your partner. Go old-school and pour your heart into words on paper. It’s a thoughtful way to express your feelings for your beloved and let them know how much you love and appreciate them.A relaxing massageSettle in for the night with your valentine and pamper them with a massage. You can set the spa vibe with a scented candle, massage oil and some calming background music.Breakfast in bedWho doesn’t love waking up to breakfast in bed? Dish up a little love...

Top ten romantic movies for Valentine’s DayRelive a romantic night where you held hands with your beloved and stole a kiss in the darkened cinema.With more than a century of great films to choose from, we’ve selected a top ten list of romantic films from each decade.So, if you’re looking for a nostalgic date night, why not grab a box of popcorn and bring a pack of Jaffas to your Living Gems cinema or check out the resort’s DVD library to organise your Valentine’s Day night at home.It Happened One Night (1934)Starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, this screwball comedy is about a down-at-heel reporter who gets the scoop of his career when he stumbles across an heiress on the run. Smartly written with delightful performances, it’s no surprise that it won every major Oscars category including Best Picture.The Shop Around the Corner (1940)Margaret Sullivan and Jimmy Stewart are just a delight as two sparring employees who don’t realise they...

Secrets to long, happy relationships revealed.Communication, forgiveness, laughter and sharing experiences are just some of the secrets to keeping the spark alive in a long and loving marriage, according to Ruby by Living Gems’ Neville and Shelagh Clune who have spent the better part of their lives together.Both agree that keeping a long-term relationship alive and thriving can be difficult but worth it.There has been much research into how to maintain a loving relationship over the long-term, with the need to keep nourishing the bond couples share identified as key.Ways to do this can include trying new things together, communicating regularly, making the effort to spend quality time together, and reliving some of the activities shared earlier in the partnership that contributed to a couple falling in love.Couples that play together stay together, according to Tony Brook University researcher Arthur Aron, Ph.D. His studies showed that participating in new and exciting activities as a couple increases relationship quality, makes it...