Brenda S. Anderson – Real Life Romance – Part 2 of 3

Shannon here: My awesome critique partner, Brenda S. Anderson is back with us today to share her wedding. Comment on any post dated May 19 – 23 to enter the drawing for a copy of her debut romantic family drama, Chain of Mercy. Deadline: May 31st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Brenda:
I love music: singing, playing guitar or piano, or just listening to other musicians. My best friends are musicians. My entire family loves to sing, and we even harmonize with each other. Just recently, my daughter blessed me by asking to join her in a duet at her college senior recital. Now that was special!
I believe God uses music to speak to the heart; He definitely speaks to mine.
My husband, however, grew up in a family that absolutely cannot sing. They appreciate music, and most play some instrument, but when they try to sing? Cringe. If you enjoy listening to ten sliding keys sung at once, then you’d appreciate their rendition of Happy Birthday. It’s seriously painful.
Ironically, my husband can sing. So, when planning our wedding, we knew it would be filled with music. I tapped my two best friends and an aunt to sing prelude solos. My aunt and a friend shared organ duties, while another played flute, and immediately before the processional, I sang Roger Copeland’s The Bridal Prayer from the balcony. In our wedding video, you can see my dad standing in the doorway to the steps, doing his best to hold it together.Toward the middle of the ceremony, the congregation sang a hymn, then after the vows, a very talented quartet sang Lutkin’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You.
Following the lighting of the unity candle, a duet was planned. The pastor and the pianist were the only people who knew who the singers were. My husband and I lit the candle then took each other’s hand as the pianist played the introduction to He Has Chosen You For Me by Pat Terry. Marvin and I took a deep breath … then started singing to each other.
Unbeknownst to us was the waterfall of tears dropping all around the church. My mother-in-law said she kept looking for the singers then finally realized it was her son singing. She teared up. My bridesmaids all cried. The groomsmen sniffled. Even the pastor wiped below his eyes. And yes, the video has proof.
The duet was our gift to each other and to the congregation. 26 years later, people still remember our wedding. I’m thinking maybe four years from now, when we celebrate 30 years together, we’ll have to try it again.
About Brenda: Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty, life-affirming fiction that offers hope and reminds the reader they’re not alone. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is currently President of the ACFW Minnesota chapter, MN-NICE. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball (Go Twins!), and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband of 26 years, their three children, and one sassy cat.
Her debut novel, Chain of Mercy, Book #1 in the Coming Home series, released April 22, 2014, and Pieces of Granite, the prequel to Chain of Mercy, is scheduled to release on September 16, 2014!
Learn more and connect: Website: http://brendaandersonbooks.com/, Blogs: http://brendaandersonbooks.com/blog/, http://inkspirationalmessages.com/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaSAndersonAuthor, Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrendaSAnders_n, Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/brendabanderson, Google+: https://plus.google.com/+BrendaAndersonAuthor/posts, Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8144547.Brenda_S_Anderson, Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-S.-Anderson/e/B00JHO3J3U/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
About the book – Chain of Mercy, Book #1 in the Coming Home Series:
They forgave him for the accident that killed their son, but he will never forgive himself.
Manhattan businessman Richard Brooks was at the top of the world, drunk with success, wealth, and women. Until one disastrous evening, when his world came crashing down.
Richard flees to Minneapolis where he repairs ancient boilers instead of solving corporate problems, and he’s determined to live the solitary life he now deserves.
But Executive Sheila Peterson has other plans for the handsome custodian. Richard appears to be the perfect match for the no-strings-attached romance she’s after, but she soon discovers that he’s hiding more than the designer suits in his closet.
Snap up your copy:
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Chain-Mercy-Coming-Brenda-Anderson-ebook/dp/B00JUBTGVO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398975111&sr=1-1&keywords=chain+of+mercy
Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chain-of-mercy-brenda-s-anderson/1119198623?ean=9780985723576
Come back May 23rd for Brenda’s interview & excerpt!