A Valentine’s Day wedding, a fake girlfriend and a bachelor auction—what could go wrong? After an unexpected—but heated—New Year’s kiss, Dr. Paul Thorpe has done his utmost to keep things from turning awkward with his colleague, nurse Aimee Baker. But when she asks him to participate in the bachelor auction at the hospital’s fundraising gala, he takes his chances and agrees on one condition: that Aimee accompany him to his brother’s Valentine’s Day wedding as his pretend girlfriend. What he doesn’t tell her is that his ex-fiancée will also be in attendance. Aimee agrees, knowing Paul’s participation in the auction will raise the money needed for a mobile health clinic. And as much as she’s looking forward to spending a weekend with Paul, she’s also certain it won’t go anywhere. Everyone knows that Paul doesn’t date, and after Aimee’s divorce, that’s fine with her…or so she tells herself. But as the weekend goes on, their fake relationship is beginning to feel all too real, despite the limit on their time together. Will this Valentine’s Day wedding date make it past the weekend?

The girls in Ms. Jacobs's class enjoy all sorts of Valentine's Day activities, and even the boys look forward to a special party, but when the time comes, all of the treats have disappeared.

While the importance of writing has often been recognized, the role of books and especially that of libraries has just as often been slighted. Knowledge, once generated, has to be communicated, preserved, and accessible. Books in their varying formats—from clay tablets to scrolls and manuscripts to pixels—have been instrumental in spreading knowledge, although relatively little attention has been given to the story of books themselves. A Social History of Books and Libraries from Cuneiform to Bytes traces the roles of books and libraries throughout recorded history and explores their social and cultural importance within differing societies and changing times. It presents the history of books from clay tablets to e-books and the history of libraries, whether built of bricks or bytes. Following an introduction that sets the theoretical basis for the historical importance of books and libraries, chapters alternate between the history of the book and the history of libraries. Included within the chapters are short excursions on some particular development, such as book emblems or cataloging. Case studies are given as thematic illustrations of libraries everywhere. Patrick M. Valentine argues that social and cultural forces have been more influential in determining the nature and status of information, books, and libraries than has technology. But A Social History of Books and Libraries is far from a jeremiad against technology; rather it presents history within the subtle yet shifting context of time and place. Although written primarily for librarians and library students, it will also be of interest to a wider audience of scholars and those interested in books, libraries, and cultural history.

In wars eighty years apart, two young women living on the same Appalachian estate determine to aid soldiers dear to them and fight for justice, no matter the cost. 1944. When a violent storm rips through the Belvidere attic in No Creek, North Carolina, exposing a hidden room and trunk long forgotten, secrets dating back to the Civil War are revealed. Celia Percy, whose family lives and works in the home, suspects the truth could transform the future for her friend Marshall, now fighting overseas, whose ancestors were once enslaved by the Belvidere family. When Marshall’s Army friend, Joe, returns to No Creek with shocking news for Marshall’s family, Celia determines to right a long-standing wrong, whether or not the town is ready for it. 1861. After her mother’s death, Minnie Belvidere works desperately to keep her household running and her family together as North Carolina secedes. Her beloved older brother clings to his Union loyalties, despite grave danger, while her hotheaded younger brother entangles himself and the family’s finances within the Confederacy. As the country and her own home are torn in two, Minnie risks her life and her future in a desperate fight to gain liberty and land for those her parents intended to free, before it’s too late. With depictions of a small Southern town “reminiscent of writings by Lisa Wingate” (Booklist on Night Bird Calling), Cathy Gohlke delivers a gripping, emotive story about friendship and the enduring promise of justice.

Marilee James has a complicated life—caring for her special-needs son, playing surrogate mother to an abandoned niece and temporarily running the local paper until the new managing editor arrives. She's so busy attending to everyone else that her own yearnings get pushed aside. Then Tate Holloway comes speeding into town in his BMW, bringing his whiz-bang laptop, journalistic integrity and the thrill of remembering what running a small-town newspaper is all about. Tate's a firm believer in the little things that make life worthwhile: overripe peaches, a good dog, a passionate kiss. The kinds of things he thinks Marilee needs to rediscover—with him. Problem is, she's already engaged. Not about to let a little thing like a fiancé stand in his way, Tate sets out to win Marilee's heart, little by little, starting with cold tea on a hot day.

“Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber.”—Publishers Weekly She always followed the path of least resistance…until it leads her to a small town where she can follow her dreams. When Emma Cantrell’s marriage imploded, she learned a fast and painful lesson about trusting her heart. Then, on a visit to Magnolia, North Carolina, to see her brother, an elegant, if dilapidated, mansion for sale presents the opportunity to start over. Risking everything on her dream of opening the Wildflower Inn, Emma buys the house…just as the storm of the century hits, severely damaging the structure. But a chance meeting with Holly, a bride-to-be in desperate need of a new venue, gives her hope…and the name of a contractor who’ll work fast and cheap, allowing Emma to repair the inn in time to host the wedding and save her investment. A furniture builder who hasn’t picked up a tool in the five years since his wife died, Cameron Mitchell has no intention of agreeing to help this beautiful—and, he’d guess, entitled—woman insisting that he fix her inn. Until he learns that Emma was sent by Holly, the little sister of his late wife. Grudgingly, Cameron agrees to do the work, with one condition: that he be left completely alone. But the more time they spend together, the more Emma touches a part of his heart he was sure died long ago, forcing him to try making peace with his past. Don't miss the newest book in THE CAROLINA GIRLS series, The Front Porch Club! The Carolina Girls series Book 1: Wildflower Season Book 2: Mistletoe Season Book 3: Wedding Season Book 4: The Wish List Book 5: The Front Porch Club

A group of animal friends work together to make valentines.

Mia's star desperately needs polishing. Can a fake relationship with Austin make her shine? Mia Black "aka" Black Sheep, is the slightly geeky, kind of smart, but otherwise lusterless middle daughter of a family full of shining stars. Literally, like, movie stars. Austin is the super cute, uber-popular, basketball phenom whose athletic career just took a nosedive when his failing grades landed him in academic probation. Basically Mia's polar opposite. When Austin impulsively kisses Mia in the hallway in front of everyone, pretending he's moved on from the girl who just dumped him, he begs Mia to play along and promises he'll make it worth her while. Mia knows her reputation could use some help, and Austin is the perfect guy to elevate her from not to hot. All she has to do is help him get his grades up, and Austin will pretend to be madly in love with her. Sounds like a win-win for both of them, right? Fake it till you make it, the saying goes, and Mia and Austin soon realize that opposites do attract. But can their relationship, and their reputations, survive when the whole school finds out they were only faking? If you like fun and flirty teen contemporary romance books by authors such as Kelly Oram, Jessica Park, Amy Sparling, or Nicola Yoon, you'll love My Fake Valentine!

On Valentine's Day, Strawberry Shortcake makes special pancakes, gives and receives valentines, and wonders who gave her a secret card.

Southern Appalachian Celebration: In Praise of Ancient Mountains, Old-Growth Forests, and Wilderness