Join me over at the SistahFriend Book Club Blog as they celebrate Black History this month: http://www.sistahfriend.com/blog.aspx

Whether you’re single or married or in a relationship, you can’t deny that romance is in the air. As a writer who writes about romance, this is one of my favorite times of the year. To my single friends: Love yourself and don’t worry about if you’re in a relationship. Valentine is your day too. Do something special for you?

Below is a list of some of my favorites. What are some of your favorites in each category?

My Top 5 Favorite Romance Authors

Francis Ray
Brenda Jackson
Beverly Jenkins
Donna Hill
Danielle Steele

Top 10 Romantic Movies I’m an avid movie watcher. The movies on this list I’ve seen several times. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, but they all have one thing in common – romance. Here’s my top 10 Romantic Movies list, but in no certain order: Love Jones Two Can Play that Game Lady Sings the Blues Love & Basketball You’ve Got Mail Bridget Jones Diary Sleepless in Seattle Brown Sugar When Harry Met Sally The Best Man To add one of these movies to your collection, click here.

Music to Set the Mood Besides books and film, music is another one of my passions. If you want to set the mood for a romantic evening, you can’t go wrong with putting one of these in your CD player. Best of Luther Vandross Time Life Soul Ballads Collection Body and Soul Collection Isley Brothers Greatest Hits At Last – Etta James Best of Sade

I’m sure you’ve read by now that R & B Singer Chris Brown alleged beat his singer girlfriend Rihanna. No it’s not fiction, but real-life drama dealing with domestic violence.  When I first heard about the situation with Chris and Rihanna, I was shocked; but I shouldn’t have been because you can never look at an abuser and see that he is an abuser. Abusers have a way of showing the world one side and the one they are involved with their dark side.

I have to say that like Wrigley suspending Chris from their ads, I too will have to suspend  Chris from my teen site.  Most of the teen girls I know love Chris Brown. Although, celebrities shouldn’t be looked at as role models, reality is, a lot of them are. Hearing about this situation has really hurt some teens.  The only positive thing about the situation is that it has opened up dialogue about domestic violence.

It is never okay for a man to hit a woman.  Love is not abuse. If a man hits you once, he’ll hit you again. For the young ladies who may be reading this blog post, do not under any circumstances stay in a relationship with a boy who verbally or physically abuses you. Do not get in the habit of excusing bad behavior. You are worth more than that. There’s not enough “I’m sorry” to excuse someone pushing you, hitting you, etc.

To learn more about the problem of domestic abuse, go to: http://www.ndvh.org/educate/what_is_dv.html

My Brother Is A Baller (ISBN: 978-0-974783260/$12.95) is Dorrie Williams-Wheeler’s latest book. It follows the life of Sheri Carmichael. You would think with her brother Todd being drafted into the NBA straight out of high school, life for Sheri would be great–wrong.

Sheri is a drama magnet. She struggles with being in Todd’s shadow and dealing with people trying to be her friend only because of her superstar NBA brother. Once Sheri gets out of one situation, she finds herself in more drama.

My Brother Is A Baller is a fast paced and entertaining read. It will have you wanting to shake some sense into Sheri. Sheri makes some of the same unwise decisions that a lot of young folks make. She thinks she knows it all but in the end,  Sheri does learn quite a few valuable lessons.

Friendships and relationships will be tested in between the pages of Dorrie Williams Wheeler’s My Brother Is A Baller.  Its the type of book where both adults and teens can enjoy.

To order your copy, visit: http://www.basketballbrother.com/

This Valentine’s Day while some are demanding a husband in 52 weeks and others have come to the shocking conclusion that he’s just not that into them, those seeking a wiser approach and are ready for serious self-examination will be in good company at ThePluralThing.com. ThePluralThing.com is buzzing with interest from Pastors, couples who want to keep the spark alive in their marriage, divorced individuals seeking healing and members of church singles groups looking to be empowered. The Companion site to the bestselling non-fiction book The Plural Thing: Spiritually Preparing for Your Soul Mate was launched in December, 2007 has become one of the fastest growing Christian relationship networks online–and it’s still growing at an exorbitant pace.

Divorce happens and is increasing at an alarming rate. Singles haven’t managed to avoid “broken relationship syndrome” either. That is why wise men and women have begun utilizing the tools in The Plural Thing: Spiritually Preparing for Your Soul Mate as well as the information found on the Companion site to have better and more fulfilling relationships. ThePluralThing.com welcomes people of all genders, races and educational backgrounds. The mission is to teach people how to love better and visitors are kept informed on how to do that with quizzes, polls and a bevy of articles from parenting and finances to relationships how-tos and in depth Bible study segments. The Love Better Camp Inc. and ThePluralThing.com has been featured on WURD with Al B! In the Afternoon and in The Triangle Tribune. Log on to ThePluralThing.com to Sign Up for FREE!