Shannon here: Angela Ruth Strong shares insight into her real life romance, plus a chance to win an ebook copy of her latest Cozy Mystery, A Cuppa Trouble. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: July 13th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Angela:
This Love Thing by Angela Ruth Strong
My ex-husband claimed that I cheated on him first. He said I loved my writing more than I loved him.
I quit writing for a year to work on our marriage after his first affair. I offered to give up writing for good if it would save our marriage. It didn’t.
I now know that wasn’t healthy of me to neglect the gifts God had given me in order for a man to love me. I know I couldn’t have saved our relationship on my own no matter what I did. And I know that I never ever want to do anything to make someone feel that I love my imaginary characters more than I love the real people around me.
My ex left ten years ago, but it still messes with my mind. In pre-marital counseling with Jim, I cried about it. “I’m afraid to write,” I said.
The counselor said, “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem in this marriage. You’re marrying a different man.”
He’s a gift from God. He not only puts up with my writing, but he puts up with all my insecurities about writing and relationships.
I try to be very careful about my time in front of the computer. I write when everyone else is gone so nobody feels like I’m ignoring them when they are home.
I also don’t write unless I’ve dealt with any conflicts in my relationships. I don’t want my writing to be an escape from reality.
But I’m under a deadline right now. I’m stressed on this sunny Sunday.
Jim knows. He told me to write. Then he went out in the garage to cut baseboards for a remodel we’re doing in my daughter’s room.
I felt guilty and followed him out to watch him cut baseboards.
Ironically, this made him feel guilty.
He pulled on one of his backwards baseball caps that I adore so much and said, “I’m going to run to Lowes to buy some clamps for my saw, then I’m going to go watch a baseball game at The Curb. I’d invite you, but you need to write.”
I wanted to go to Lowes with him. I wanted to watch baseball. But if I do, I might not make my deadline. “You know I’d rather be with you, right?” I asked.
“Yes.” He hugged me. “You let me know every day.”
That’s the love story I’m living right now.
I could have told you the whole thing from the beginning. I could have told you how Jim wooed me with bringing me a baseball cap on our first date, and ordering me a Scentsy warmer from my alma mater even though we went to rival colleges, and laughing gently when I had my breakdown about how I didn’t know why he was dating me because “part of my heart is dead.” He was there by my side at church the next morning when we sang, “My dead heart now is beating.” And he’s been by my side ever since.
Yes, my love story is beautiful, but the most beautiful part is how he doesn’t stop loving me in my brokenness. He bought me this home, he’s remodeling a room for my daughter, and he left for the afternoon so I could have it all to myself to write.
Our love story isn’t over. It grows stronger and stronger every time we fight through a storm. It’s the reason I write about romance. I want to show healthy relationships and real love.
My most recent release, A Cuppa Trouble, is a cozy mystery novel set at Valentine’s Day, so though it’s silly and suspenseful, I also explore the importance of communication in relationships. I hope readers find it both fun and thought-provoking.
I’m also excited about the opportunity to write a non-fiction book about what I learned through my first failed marriage. I don’t have a release date yet for Moving On After Your Husband Moves Out, but I’m passionate about this opportunity to help women build healthy relationships—starting with realizing how much they are already loved by God.
This love thing is life changing. And part of my love for writing is being able to share it with you. You and all your gifts are worthy of love.
Question for Readers: Who is your cheerleader? In what ways does that person cheer you on and absolve your guilt when your job, responsibilities, or hobby demands your attention?
About Angela: Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there’s nothing else she’d rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK. Learn more and connect:
Angela’s Website Angela’s Goodreads Angela’s Facebook
Angela’s Instagram Angela’s Twitter
About the book – A Cuppa Trouble: Plans for a Valentine’s Day grand opening of a small town coffee shop go awry when the first customer is killed. Evidence points toward the victim being mixed up in a car theft ring, but shop owners Tandy and Marissa have reason to believe he was framed. An assortment of suspects–from a pink-haired heir to Tandy’s charming ex–all seem to know a little too much about grand theft auto.
Without approval from either their boyfriends or the gum-chewing FBI agent in charge, the shop owners go on stakeouts, plan stings, and pursue justice in a high-speed car chase. If they don’t find the killer soon, it might be more than their love lives in trouble.
Can’t wait for the drawing or worried you won’t win? Get your copy now!
Amazon – A Cuppa Trouble Angela’s Bookbub
Come back July 5th for Louise M. Gouge!
Angela’s story is a beautiful one that inspires me to never give up.
Who is my cheerleader? Me. I’ve been at this writing thing since I was ten without ever a word of encouragement. Yet, maybe the Holy Spirit is my cheerleader. I’ve given up on writing many times, and the last time I gave up for ten years. I’ve received lots of discouragement, but that small voice in my gut says, “write.” It won’t leave me alone, and so I picked up the computer again and started writing what I know.
Leeann, do you belong to a writer’s group? Writing can be so solitary. It helped me so much when I was just starting out to spend time with other writers. I learned, got encouraged, and felt validated. If you don’t have writer friends or a group, I encourage you to find one.
I did get connected to a local group. It has helped with my progress. They are a very accepting and encouraging group.
Thank you
That’s so sweet! I’m glad God brought such a good man into your life.
Thanks for the giveaway too.
I love your love story, Angela. Glad you’re here sharing it. And I often feel guilty when I have a deadline. I try to only write when everyone is gone or asleep. But deadlines don’t work that way sometimes. My husband’s the one who tells me to go write when I’d rather spend time with him and our son and he never makes me feel guilty about it.
My husband is my cheerleader. He encouraged my writing even back when it cost and I never got paid. He took me to countless conferences, babysat our son when he was younger, and shouldered my tears when the rejections came. My parents are great cheerleaders too, so I’ve been blessed.
I don’t have a cheerleader in my life at the moment, but my friends and famiky understand when I’m not as connected as I wish to be because life gets in the way. Thanks for the chance to win a book and discover a new author.
My daughter Emily and friend Wanda are my cheerleaders! My daughter knows when I need time for myself so she will go to a friend’s house for a few hours to give me space. Wanda will call and say time to get out for a while and eat lunch together just to get me out of the house and my mind off things. of course when I need a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear they are there.
My cheerleader is my best friend and even though she’s been gone a few years now, she continues to by my cheerleader. I just need to think about all the talks we had, the tough times she got me through and I know what she would say to me when I need encouragement, strength and faith.
wfnren at aol dot com
I love Angela books!!!! Looking forward to read A Cuupa Trouble!!! Thanx for sharing your story, Angela! My husband & my girls are my cheerleaders. Appreciate all you do, Shannon!!!
I have a winner! Leann won the drawing. I appreciate Angela for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
Your ex was just using the excuse about your writing to make himself feel better. Don’t believe his past lie. Prayers for better health.
My cheerleader is my wonderful husband Bobby! He believes in me when I don’t believe in myself, he is encouraging and even though we enjoy doing things together, he gives me space when I need it.