Barbara M. Britton shares how she met her husband, the inspiration behind her Contemporary Romance, plus a romantic excerpt from Christmas at Whispering Creek, & a chance to win a copy. Print for U.S. only, e-book for international. Deadline: Nov 18th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Barbara:
My husband and I met on a blind date. Except, we were with other people. I knew my husband vaguely from church. It was the 80s, in Dallas, and we attended a huge church that had so many single adults that they separated us in Sunday School by age. My husband was in an older group, and we didn’t know each other well.
Later on, when our prior relationships didn’t go anywhere, my husband called and asked me out. The rest was courtship and marriage.
Rick and I have been married for thirty-five years. This picture is from last year when we were at a book event in South Dakota. We stopped to see Mount Rushmore.
I usually include a romantic thread in all of my books, but so far I only have one true romance where the reader hears from both the hero and heroine. “Christmas at Whispering Creek” was born when I wanted to shed a light on breast cancer, and I didn’t see a way to do that in Biblical Fiction. At the end of “Christmas at Whispering Creek,” I share my true story of beating breast cancer.
Samantha Williams and Cole Donoven meet through a mutual friend, Mr. Ted, except Ted is deceased. My Wisconsin gal Samantha inherits Ted’s house and heads to Tennessee to inspect the property. While Sam is in Whispering Creek, Cole shows up to visit Ted. You’ll read in the excerpt that Ted’s feisty brother shows up too.
When a storm traps Sam and Cole together on Ted’s property, you could say they have an impromptu blind date.
Excerpt from “Christmas at Whispering Creek” when Samantha and Cole meet:
Cole nodded. “My condolences.” Clearing his throat, he asked, “When did Ted pass away?”
“A few weeks ago.” The professionally dressed man came forward and held out his hand. “I’m Ted’s lawyer, Chester Siebold. You’re a friend?” The attorney’s last question cast doubt on Cole’s association. Was he on trial?
“I stayed here last summer. Worked on some…writing.” He shook Chester’s hand. “Name’s Cole Donoven. Ted invited me back. I tried calling, but now I know why my call wasn’t returned.” Well, so much for stroking his muse. How fast life could change. He knew that from Jillie Lynn’s vanishing act.
The gal on the porch strode forward. Her boots clacked on the walkway. “I’m sorry you had to hear about Ted this way. I just found out myself.” Her eyelashes fluttered. She rubbed her arm like she was holding back a crashing wave of tears.
“Don’t fall for those crocodile tears,” the intruder named Ernie said. “She stole this house right out from under me. This house should be mine.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, but it is my land now, and you’re trespassing.” The looker wielded her phone like a sword, aiming the tip at Ernie. “You may leave and come back when you’re ready to apologize for your bad manners. I don’t accept attitude from my students, and I’m not taking it from a grown man.”
Spunky gal had a backbone. Her fiery hazel eyes almost had Cole apologizing for trespassing.
Question for Readers: Have you ever been on a blind date? Was it successful? 
If not, please share any fun disasters.
About Barbara: Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to present day USA. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. Her novel “Christmas at Whispering Creek,” is a compelling, yet fun story, shining a light on breast cancer. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Learn more & connect:
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About the book- Christmas at Whispering Creek:
All Samantha Williams wants to do is to use her teaching degree to instruct a classroom of second graders. But, after a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of twenty-three, and failed reconstruction surgery, Sam finds herself without a job and temporarily living with her parents. This isn’t the life Sam expected. When a family friend dies and leaves Sam a house and land in Whispering Creek, Tennessee, Sam must decide if leaving Wisconsin for Southern living is in her lesson plans.
Nashville native, Cole Donoven, left his family’s electrical business to write country music. When Cole’s song-writing partner and girlfriend dumps him for a country music star, Cole abandons Nashville to hole up in Whispering Creek and compose one more song. The last thing Cole expects to find in the sleepy small town is a deceased friend, estate squabbles, and a Northern beauty. Will the chaos in Whispering Creek help create a bestselling song for Cole and possibly help him find a life-long collaborator?
Christmas at Whispering Creek Book Trailer (You will be humming afterward)
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Barbara’s other titles?
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Christmas at Whipering Creek Barbara’s Books
Come back Nov 10th for Cindy Stewart!
Thank you for hosting me on your blog, Shannon. It’s great being here with you.
Thanks for being here, Barbara. I never went on a blind date. I only dated one guy in high school and married him. We’ve been married thirty-nine years and are about to have our first granddaughter.
I have never been on a blind date 🙂
Love your stories, Barbara!
Thank you for the encouragement, Natalya. I never went on a blind date after the first one. Thanks for joining us.
I have never been on a blind date. It sounds like a really interesting book.
Hi Diana. I had a lot of fun writing this story. I just finished a sequel with Emma and Wade. Thanks for being here with us.
Hi Diana. I had a lot of fun writing this story. I just finished a sequel with Emma and Wade. I’m glad you joined us.
Hi Barbara,
I enjoyed learning about your blind date, and want to tell readers I enjoyed Christmas at Whispering Creek.
Thanks so much, Gail. This definitely was a book of the heart. I’m so glad you joined us.
I never went on a blind date.
I certainly enjoyed the excerpt, especially the way Samantha handled Ernie.
Hi Roxanne. Thanks for joining us. Samantha is an elementary teacher, so she can handle a rambunctious neighbor.
Yes, I had a supervisor who liked playing matchmaker. She was terrible at it. First of all, she was not a Christian so her idea of someone who was suitable was very superficial. These blind dates were awful. There is nothing worse than spending time with someone you have nothing in common with. I couldn’t wait for these dates to end. I was finally happy for more than one reason to find my hubby and start dating him because once he and I were dating she stopped matchmaking for me.
Hi Cherie. You were a good sport to go on all those blind dates. I’m glad you found your special someone. Thanks for joining us and sharing your blind date story.
I have a winner! Roxanne C. won the drawing. I appreciate Barbara for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.