Shannon here: Amy R. Anguish shares the inspiration for her latest Contemporary Romance, Destination Fun Romance. Comment or answer the question in any post dated June 14th – 17th to enter the drawing for a copy, U.S. only. Deadline: June 25th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Amy:
Fairy-tale Romance
Have you ever played the game where you’re watching a movie with friends or family and you try to match the characters’ personalities with the people you’re with? My cousins and I used to do that when we watched White Christmas every year. I’ve always imagined myself to be Rosemary Clooney’s character, since she’s the big sister.
Then, of course, there are all those quizzes online that are supposed to tell you which Princess you match best. Have you ever taken one? Or do you simply have a favorite you think is most like you? Or that you’d most like to be?
Obviously, all us book lovers want to be like Belle just to get the library. But I tend to be more like Cinderella—always something to clean or mend and always singing and dreaming.
In my new novel, Destination: Fun Romance, Katie and Camden have an ongoing joke about which prince or princess they might be most like. Though I don’t ever have them land on one in particular, so you’ll have to let me know which ones you think are their matches.
It’s always a dream, though, to have a happily ever after. Definitely one of the reasons I write romance. I want that happy ending. That sigh-worthy, warm gushy feeling when I get to the bottom of the last page. And romance novels almost never disappoint. Nor do fairy-tales.
Am I living a real-life fairy tale? Yes. And no.
I do have random animals visit my yard. And I do sing a lot. And there’s a handsome guy who kisses me every night. That’s pretty dream-worthy.
But fairy tales only tell us part of the story. The meeting and falling in love part. After that, we simply have to use our imaginations to picture what their “happily ever after” looks like.
Know what? Happily ever after is achievable. But only if you want it to be. It’s your choice to be happy with your life or not.
I could focus on the bad things, like the messy rooms that the animals don’t clean. Or the months when money is tight and we wonder how to pay for that newest house repair we need. Or I could focus on the laughter and support and prayer partner I have to get through it all.
When I write my characters, I want their relationship to be strong enough to find the happy in spite of the real-world problems which might arise. Just like mine.
Maybe that’s why my characters never decide which prince or princess they’re most like.
Because they’re going to make their own happily ever after.
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.
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About the book – Destination: Fun Romance:
It’s not every day you bring a boyfriend back as a souvenir.
Katie Wilhite is ready to settle into her new job as a librarian now that college is through, but friends Bree and Skye want one more girls’ trip, and when Bree insists this is her bachelorette fling, Katie agrees. What she didn’t agree to was allowing fun and flighty Skye to dictate the itinerary or for her anxiety to kick in harder than ever … right in front of a cute guy.
Camden Malone had no idea when he agreed to be the voice of reason on his cousin Ryan’s vacation that the trip wouldn’t stay in New Orleans as planned. But when Ryan plots with Skye so that the guys can tag along with the girls all week, he isn’t nearly as upset as he should be. Not with Katie’s fiery temper and flashing eyes intriguing him more by the minute.
Can Katie relax enough to trust Camden and a possible future, or will she continue to push him away as only a vacation fling? And can Camden move past a rocky history of his own to be able to jump into a better future? For a trip that was supposed to be all about fun, there’s a lot of romance going around.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Amy’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now! Destination: Fun Romance Amy’s books
Question for Readers: Do you have a princess or prince you associate most with? How are you rocking your own happily ever after?
Come back June 21st for Candace West!
I am not really a’prince and princess’ person but I always thought my husband was my knight in shining armour and nearly 50 years later, he still is. He has cared for me in sickness( at one time he would check that I was still breathing in the middle of the night) and in health, riches and poorer (when we would cash in coke bottles for a meal) and we are still deeply in love.
Not always easy, after the wedding is only the beginning of the marriage!
That is a super sweet testament to your husband! I agree. Sometimes it’s nicer to have the knight than the prince. And the wedding is only the beginning of the happily ever after.
My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. I always felt I could totally relate with Belle since she also loves books and loves to escape into them.
I am right there with you regarding Belle’s love of books!
I identify with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella because she spends so much time dreaming in her own little corner, in her own little chair. I had a step-family, but we got along much better than hers did. My Prince Charming had to do some convincing, like hers did. My happily ever after is going strong after 46 years!
That is my favorite version of Cinderella! And I agree. I’m a dreamer like Cinderella, for sure. And I go around singing all the time, too. 😉
I have a winner! Lisa Sanetra won the drawing. I appreciate Amy for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.