Amy R. Anguish – Story Behind the Story – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Amy R. Anguish shares insight into her latest Contemporary Romance, For Better or For Granted. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a paperback copy, US only. Deadline: April 6th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Amy: 

Ordinary Dates

What do you think of when you think of a date? Dinner usually comes to my mind, usually with some other fun activity enjoyed by both. Lately, my husband and I have been to several plays, which has been lots of fun. In the past, we’ve done movies, gone to a concert or lecture, or even gone bowling.

But what if you can’t find time to do all the “normal” date things? What if your schedule and your significant other’s don’t always mesh? How do you work in dates then?

This is what happens to my characters Scott and Genevieve Stewart in my new book, For Better or For Granted. They’ve been married almost five years, but with his promotion to school principal, his life is swamped to the point where they’re having trouble finding time for each other. And when a couple doesn’t spend time together, it’s hard to maintain a relationship. A couple needs that one-on-one “on purpose” time to reconnect and stay attracted.

So, what’s a couple to do?

Well, my couple has to find other ways besides your typical “date” to be together. Like what?

Got ten minutes during the day? Since they work in the same school, they can meet up for a quick coffee break.

Going to a school activity anyway? Why not go together? It might not be totally romantic to sit together on hard bleachers at a basketball game, but at least it’s time with each other. And if the bleachers are packed, it’s a great excuse to sit close!

Going the same place? Ride together. Even if it’s only a few miles down the road, that’s time for a quick conversation and maybe even some hand-holding. Plus, you save gas.

Is it perfect?

Is anything perfect? No.

But finding a few minutes here or there is much better than nothing.

Relationships are hard. And life has a bad tendency to get in the way so that even when we want to make them a priority, it’s not always easy. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Get creative. And get purposeful.

Because relationships are also worth it. Find the time to have “ordinary” dates. In other words, treat ordinary moments together much as you would a date. See if it works.

I’ll let you read my book to see if it worked for my characters, the Stewarts.

Question for Readers: What about you? Do you turn ordinary moments in life into more of a date feeling? What are some other suggestions you might have for upping the romance in the everyday life?

 About Amy: Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good. Learn more & connect:

Amy’s Website            Amy’s Facebook            Amy’s Twitter

Learn more about her books at Amy’s Pinterest – My Books

And check out the YouTube channel she does with two other authors Once Upon A Page

About the book – For Better or For Granted:

Divorce was never in the plans for Genevieve Stewart. Only four years into marriage, and everything has gone wrong. Why stay where she’s never going to be happy? If only she could find her way back to the way things were before Scott’s job took all his time and energy, leaving nothing for her.

Scott Stewart achieved his goal of becoming a high school principal younger than most in the state. Everything in life seems to be going exactly as planned until Genevieve threatens to leave. Suddenly, his dreams aren’t as clear as they once were. He desperately wants to stay married, but he can’t let down his school, either.

Their friends and family remind them of their lifetime promises and urge them not to give up. But the way back to love isn’t easy when you’ve grown used to taking each other for granted.

For Better or For Granted               Amy’s Books

Come back April 2nd for Carrie Walker!