Ashley Thompson – Story Behind the Story & Romantic Excerpt

Shannon here: Ashley Thompson shares how she met her husband, how her real-life romance inspired her fiction, and a romantic excerpt from her Contemporary Romance, Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul: Pleasure that Makes You Whole. Comment or answer the question in any post dated April 4th -16th to enter the drawing for a print or Kindle copy, plus three other titles. Deadline: April 25th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Ashley:

Holiness equals happiness.

Purity equals pleasure.

The world teaches us the opposite of this. Every time I turn on the television or listen to a (secular) love song on the radio, I see and hear the damaging way culture trains people to seek gratification. People cling to and grasp at others for fleshly fulfillment, but there is no gratifying the flesh. These cycles only result in hurting others or oneself in the name of “love.” We tend to look for wholeness in others because the Father designed us for relationships. Aristotle summed this up wisely when he said, “It is the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most men live only for the gratification of it.”

When I was sixteen, I was filled with the Holy Spirit. Only then did I begin to receive the love of God (Romans 5:5). This love filled my heart like warm, thick sap and seeped into the cracks of my broken places, bringing the fragrance of Christ. It was truly a supernatural work, one I could never accomplish on my own. I remember sitting in my high school journalism class beside my friend Amber, feeling the Holy Spirit move in my heart. I started to scribble in my notebook and drew a picture of my soul. There was a Man inside cooking; then He began rearranging furniture, adding beautiful things, and tending a garden outside of a cozy-looking cottage. I could tell He was making Himself comfortable inside me. I turned to Amber and showed her the drawing, “I see Jesus in me.”

Soon, something amazing began to happen—I found true fulfillment. This incredible peace did not come from popularity, dating a boy, or achieving a great feat. It came from Jesus. Slowly, He wooed me, filling me with such inner joy that I became almost unoffendable (if that is a word). My soul was like a thousand rolling hills of purple lavender fields. The scents of His Presence were weighty and heady like wine. I was carried away into a place called the Kingdom of Heaven, where He made a proposal, and I embraced my identity and covenant in Christ.

He became everything, and everything became nothing without Him. I loved others deeply, from my heart (1 Peter 1:22). I found everything the heart of man truly longs for in our Creator…who I found was not distant and angry. God’s love is so deep, so wide, so comforting. He became my Friend, my Master, my Father, and then He told me He was my Husband (Isaiah 54:5), which eventually prepared me to become a wife to a very special man.

I married my now-husband, Stephen, as a virgin. I had never kissed or dated anyone before him. But it was not because I had a set of religious rules in front of me and worked hard to control my flesh. To be honest, I am not that strong, and that kind of method doesn’t work. Paul said it is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace (Hebrews 13:9). Father set a feast of divine pleasure in my heart. It was a heavenly pleasure that kept me away from sinful fleshly pleasures.

Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul is a romance novel that points to the Author of love through fictional characters. It was written during many quiet moments with the Lord. It was these sweet moments with Him that saved me from the traps that were set for me in my youth. If you enjoy books like Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory, where Jesus often comes in disguise to help people and ultimately point them back to Himself, then you’ll enjoy my book. The Encounter series on Pureflix, starring Bruce Marchiano (actor in the Gospel of Matthew), also favors this Christian fiction approach.

My prayer for everyone who reads this is that they are immersed in God’s warm love as if standing under a spicy waterfall. And through this, they would fall in love with Him. There is no lasting fulfillment or rest for your soul until it is found in a relationship with Him. Abundant life begins with Him. The bread of peace is in His hand, and He’s a generous Giver.

Excerpt from Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul: Pleasure that Makes You Whole by Ashley Thompson:

When Jesus walked into the café, I expected him to stand on a table and evangelize. Instead, he walked right up to the counter to greet a comely barista. Her thick, brown hair was woven in the back and hung like glossy rope with tawny blonde highlights. She had eyes like olive oil and lips the color of crushed raspberries.

 “Good evening, sir. How may I help you?” she asked perfunctorily. 

She looked frazzled and her day must have been long, for although she looked at Jesus, she didn’t see him. He was just another customer. It was almost as if her pretty eyes were shuttered by the repetitive routine of work. She glanced at me and asked the same question before her eyes fell to the cash register, ready to proceed with her normal protocol.

 I ordered an apple spice tea with sweet buttercream drizzle. “Good choice,” she said without feeling. 

Jesus remained silent for a few seconds. His eyes scanned her as she stared at the cash register, waiting for him to order next. She glanced up at him when he said nothing. 

“What would you recommend, Diane?” he asked, with deeply compassionate eyes and a warm smile. I knew he asked that question only to rouse her.

 Her eyes quickened slightly, and her shoulders perked up. “That depends. How are you feeling?” 

Jesus answered with a bright smile, “I’m feeling like I could use something with a kick of zest in it.”

 The corners of Diane’s lips slightly lifted at his charming and welcoming visage. “We have pineapple tea with ginger root? That usually provides a nice kick.” 

“That sounds good, but I’d like to hear other options.”

 Diane began to read off to Jesus a list of other teas and coffees that were energy boosters. She went through the complete list before he asked, “Which ones are your favorites? For those nights when you need a booster?”

 Diane chortled softly. “It would be the spiked cider or the whiskey Irish creamed coffee,” she said with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, “but if you are looking for a nonalcoholic solution, I’d recommend the hot chocolate supreme. It has a few shots of caffeine.”

 By this time, my tea was finished, and I picked up my order before finding a nearby table. I knew Jesus was ministering to Diane. 

“What if I didn’t want anything with alcohol or caffeine in it?” Jesus asked, his demeanor still warm. 

“Then the pineapple ginger is your best bet, but you can choose from these other teas,” she said, fingering a few, her eyes fixed on the list. “Like I said, it really just depends on how you feel.” 

“How do you feel?” Jesus asked her. 

His question surprised her, and I noted a flicker of shock cross her face before she masked it with her customary employee visage. 

“I feel like I could use a booster myself,” she said politely. 

“I know a booster that you cannot get in a tea or a coffee or anything material, but it always works. And I’d like to give it to you if you are willing.” 

Her eyebrows lifted. “It always works?” 

Jesus gave a gentle laugh. “It hasn’t failed yet. Millions of people who have had this would tell you so, from centuries ago to modern day, from all around the world to right in this city.” 

“How much is it?”

 “It’s completely free.” 

Diane’s eyebrows creased slightly, and she tilted her head, trying to discern Jesus. Nothing but waves of love came off him. She glanced around. Everyone had been served, and her fellow co-worker had gone into the kitchen. 

“What is it?” she asked, partly suspicious. 

“Not what, but who.” 

Misunderstanding his intent, Diane stated, “I have a boyfriend.” 

Jesus nodded. “I know you do, and I’m not coming onto you if that’s what you’re thinking…at least not in that way.” 

Diane pressed her lips together. “Then…?” 

“It’s Jesus.” 

Diane rolled her eyes. “Please, sir, I’ve had enough of religious jargon. And I’m too old to believe or be humored by fairy tales.”

 “I would disagree,” Jesus said kindly. 

“What would you like to drink?” Diane asked, cutting him off. 

“Humor me for a moment, Diane.” 

Diane gave an audible sigh and then shrugged. She stared him up and down again before her demeanor softened. “Okay,” she said cautiously. 

“I don’t doubt that you’ve had enough of religious jargon. I’ve had enough of it myself. But I do question whether or not you’re being truthful about fairy tales.”

 Diane arched an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms. 

Jesus continued, “Think of it. Most movies are composed of fairy tales, even the action ones. There’s some level of magic in them—of superhuman strength, of beauty, of endurance, of ideal romance, of triumph and adventure beyond common life. Most songs consist of a yearning for superhuman love. Many best-selling books are littered with these noble ideas that are often fleeting in human experience, yet they are an ever-constant source of ache and desire in the human heart.” 

Diane’s lips untightened and her arms slowly uncrossed. 

Jesus expounded, “If those aren’t fairy tales, then I don’t know what is. Every human heart longs to experience something more than the dreariness of life. That’s why people stuff themselves with fancies, be it food, relationships, temporary thrills like theme parks, drugs, movies, vacations, promotions, possessions, whatever it may be. The soul of man knows there’s something more that it was created for, and so most people numb this yearning by stuffing it with entertainment. The only problem is,” he paused, and his eyes deepened, “that they’re trying to fill an eternal ache with temporary things. Worldly things can never mask heavenly desire. Many have tried, and all of them have failed. Do you not find yourself entertained by these things, Diane?” 

When Diane didn’t answer, Jesus replied, “I know you do.” His tone was thick with bowls of compassion that rose like a sweet fragrance. 

“Well, religious people entertain themselves with rules and criticizing others. At least ‘secular’ people seek happiness over hate,” Diane retorted. Although her facial expression was defiant, her voice was strained, and I caught a glimpse of sorrow in her eyes before she drew it back. 

Jesus reached out to Diane with such passionate compassion that I felt a lump rise in my throat. “Religious people do. You’re right. And I’m sorry for everyone who has hurt you. Truly, I am. Many people are so busy making religion their god that they don’t allow God in their religion. Turns out religion is much easier to manage than God. Those people whom you speak of are afraid. They may not even know it, but they are. Pride is a form of fear. They seek control, perfection, a way to escape chaos. They are desperate to measure up for fear of rejection, failure, exposure, whatever the fear is. They have so many layers of behavior modifications and thought processes piled on top of their fear that they can’t even detect it. They look to somehow redeem themselves. But there is only one Redeemer. There is only one love that casts out all fear, and those who have that are not religious. That’s what I want to offer you tonight.” Jesus paused and stared deeply into her eyes. “Diane, the happiness that people seek is Jesus. Eternal happiness can be found in nothing else.” 

Diane’s eyes watered, and she closed them. Her breath shook a little as she tried to compose herself, “You speak as if you know him. No Christian has ever spoken to me like that.” 

Reader Question: How would you define purity in a romantic relationship?

April Book Bundle #1

The Cowboy’s Missing Memory by Shannon Taylor Vannatter, Contemporary Romance, print

If I Perish by Paula K. Parker, Biblical Fiction, digital

Romantic Rondezvous for the Soul by Ashley Thompson, Christian Romance, PDF Download

Listen for the Chickadees by Terri Wangard, World War II Fiction, print

About Ashley: 

Ashley is a life coach, teacher, and bestselling author. She believes in God’s ability to write beautiful love stories. She married her first boyfriend, Stephen, on a majestic mountain in Colorado beside a quaint church. They met at a heavenly three-story chalet with a sunroof, indoor pool, and stone fireplace. They currently live in a picturesque Mediterranean beach town on a forested mountain with an ocean view. They have two beautiful girls who bring them more joy than they could have imagined.

Ashley’s passion is for people to enter a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and be made whole by his love. She enjoys coffee, Autumn leaves, scenic walks, candles, worship dancing, and the vivid Pacific coast. Her greatest treasure is her relationship with Jesus and her family. She is the author of Visions of Celestial Love, Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul, Fallen Coins and His Liberating Flame. She has coauthored two bestsellers, His Beauty for My Ashes and The Runaway Bride of Christ Overcoming Church Hurt.

Ashley’s Website           Ashley’s Bookbub             Ashley’s Youtube

Ashley’s Goodreads             Ashley’s Instagram

About the book – Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul: Pleasure that Makes You Whole 

For centuries, the female heart has burned with desire for the lasting pleasure of unchanging love. In the course of time, civilizations have risen and fallen, yet the longing for tangible intimacy has never faded. Millions of lyrics have been written to the passionate tune of this fluid yearning.

Unfortunately, few people find the lasting love they’ve longed for, even as children. Life, education, and societal pressures transform what was once a tangible hope into a mythical fairy tale. Industries have reaped unlimited monetary gain from the erosion of this hope. Billions of girls grow up to become women who have long since tossed their dreams of true love in the trash bin of cynicism. Countless others have buried their ache of unmet desire under the disappointment of failed relationships and hopelessness.

Despite most women’s best attempts, this starved craving remains alive, like a stimulating aroma. This ethereal hope goes back to the first relationship, in a place of being so “seen” and “lovingly known” that “she” was naked and unashamed.

This novella was not written to add salt to the gaping wound of unsatisfied need. It was written to completely satisfy the need. Let Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul introduce you to a lasting relationship with Transcendent Love, where reality becomes sweeter than your dreams.

Worried you won’t win the drawing? Interested in Ashley’s other titles? Need extra books for gifts? Get your copy/copies now!

Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul           Ashley’s books

Come back April 16th for Terri Wangard!