Shannon here: Amy R. Anguish shares how her real-life romance inspired her latest Contemporary Romance Novella, A-parent-ly Christmas, which is included in the Christmas Novella Collection, A Match Made at Christmas. All four authors will be here over the next two weeks. Comment or answer the question in any or each post dated Oct 1st – 11th to enter the drawing. Deadline: Oct 19th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Amy:
Heart-melting Love
When shopping for a good mate, what were some of the top items on your list? Let me tell you, while a kind heart and a gentleman and all the other normal checklist items were there, when I saw my now-husband interacting with children, I melted. I still do. There is just something about watching a man with children that can tell you he’s a good one, a keeper.
It took my husband and me several years and a long infertility journey before we could have children of our own. But God blessed us doubly with a girl and then a boy. And while I thought I was in love with my husband before, seeing him with our own children? Man. Who knew my heart could expand that far?
Maybe that’s why every now and then I include children in my romance novels. Not only can it add an element of complication or fun, but it also gives me that ability to show off the man interacting with the child so the woman can fall in love with him.
And since my latest release is a Christmas one, I could resist adding a child even less. What’s more fun than a child at Christmas?
In my story, “A-parent-ly Christmas,” one of the four novellas in A Match Made at Christmas, my characters Noel and Joy are separated. Joy is sending their son Andy to spend Christmas with his father, but Andy and the weather intervene, causing them all to end up together.
While Joy and Noel aren’t on great terms due to difficulties they’ve both brought to the relationship, they can agree on loving Andy. And each loves to see the other interacting with their son.
I won’t tell more because I don’t want to spoil things, but let’s just say a few shenanigans happen to ensure a happy ending.
A few shenanigans happen around my house during the holidays, too, but fortunately not quite to the point that Andy does in my story. Still, I’m so blessed to be able to fall in love with my husband a bit more each day as I watch him loving our kids.
Question for Readers: What about you? Do you love stories with children in them? Can you agree that seeing someone love a child can be heart-melting?
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:
Check out the YouTube channel she does with two other authors Once Upon a Page
About the novella collection – A Match Made at Christmas:
A-parent-ly Christmas (by Amy R Anguish)—Noel and Joy Davidson didn’t mean to separate, but a job promotion and educational opportunities were too much for their marriage to withstand. Now, it’s Christmas and their son Andy wants them together. Between his mischief, an unexpected snowstorm, and the holiday spirit, they’re remembering why they first wanted to be together. But which one will give up their dream for the other?
A Match of her Own (by Sarah Anne Crouch)—Victoria Wood is torn between elation and devastation now that her sister is married and gone. When she realizes her sister’s best friend is alone and best-friend-less on Christmas, she knows just what to do. Set her up with a boyfriend! But pesky Jared Knight keeps getting in the way. Jared can’t date Victoria—she’s too immature—but he can’t convince his heart to move on. How will he keep Victoria from ruining everyone’s love lives? When will she realize her perfect match is closer than she thinks?
Jingle Bell Matchmakers (by Lori DeJong)—When country music star Aubrey Mayfield is lured home after years away, she’s bewildered when she and ex-fiance-now-widowed-dad Cody Lansdale keep finding themselves in the same place at the same time. As they become reacquainted, however, old feelings stir. Aubrey’s at a crossroads in her career and is contemplating a change. But when a chance at headlining her own tour takes her back to Nashville, Cody realizes her dreams may once again come between them. Unless God, with a little help from the Jingle Bell Committee, has a better plan.
The Santa Setup (by Heather Greer)—Turning friendship into love takes magic. Good thing Nicholas Eckert and Julie Clarke work at Christmas Wonderland. The attraction brims with holiday magic, not to mention four teenage elves determined that Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop playing a couple and become one. The teens will need more than mistletoe to pair up these two. Julie is seeing someone, and Nick won’t risk their friendship for possible love. Only the elven employees’ outrageous antics stand a chance of setting up Santa in time for Christmas.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Need extra copies for Christmas gifts?
Interested in Amy’s other titles? Get your copy/copies now!
A Match Made At Christmas Amy’s Books
Come back Oct 7th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
Come back Oct 8th for Lori DeJong!
Aww. I love this post, Amy! I feel the same. Watching my hubs with our daughter after she was born was heart-melting. And I love stories with kids in them! Can’t go wrong with kids in a love story. Or dogs. Haha!
So funny that you include kids and dogs in the same category. I’m looking forward to reading your story with a kid too.
I agree that watching a grown man deal with children is a great indication of who he really is. Kids in a romance book can make it real and more romantic!
Completely agree. Thanks for commenting.
Yes, I like stories with children in them.
Great! Thanks for commenting.
So glad you agree! Thanks for commenting.
So glad you agree! Thank you for commenting.
I agree that seeing a man reacting with a child in a positive way melts my heart. Your books sound like great ones to add to my tbr stack.
Yay! I love finding new readers.
I do love books with children with them. I remember when I would see my hubby caring for one of our babies how much it melted my heart.
Such sweet memories!
I love stories with children – they bring warmth and fun to the story!
Agreed! Children are so much fun!
I have a winner! Donna B won this drawing. I appreciate Amy for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.