Brenda S. Anderson – Romantic Character Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Brenda S. Anderson shares insight into her characters’ romance plus a chance to win a copy of her latest Women’s Fiction title, Memory Box Secrets. Winner’s choice of paperback or Kindle or Nook copy in continental US, or a Kindle copy outside the US. Comment or answer the question at the end of this post to enter. Deadline: May 2nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Brenda:

Sheila’s Peterson-Brooks’ answers:
1. Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic restaurant?
Richard frequently spoils me with evenings at romantic restaurants, and they’re all wonderful, but the one place we eat that surpasses all isn’t a restaurant, but rather a moonlit evening by our fire pit. We roast hot dogs and make s’mores, all beneath the stars. And we might do a little dancing too, to the music of God’s creation. Nothing says romance more than that.
2. What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
For our second date, Richard gave me a single orange rose, and said it meant fascination because he was fascinated with me. And the single stem stands for simplicity. It was perfect. Then every Saturday date after that, he brought me a different orange rose. It’s a tradition he continues to this day. Now every Saturday, I anticipate his gift.
3. What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
Does grinning count? His crooked grin, those indigo eyes, it melts me every time! (flutters hands in front of her blushing face) And he smiles a lot.
4. Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
Oh that’s easy. Richard, no doubt. The night we learned we were pregnant, Richard managed to turn his office into a romantic getaway, complete with china, crystal, and silver. And an orange rose, of course. Add to that, we watched fireworks from his skyscraper window. Talk about romantic.
5. What is the most caring thing your spouse has ever done for you?
Before we married, even before we were engaged, he came with me to a place he despised, a place that had hurt him deeply, but he did it to meet me where I was at, just as Jesus meets us right where we are. It was that act of love by Richard that helped convince me that Jesus is real. It was shortly after then, that I said “yes” to Jesus.
Richard Brook’s Answers:
1. Who said, “I love you” first, you or your spouse?
Well, I said it first, but ironically, I said it in the midst of our break up. I think losing her finally made me realize how hard I’d fallen for her. Thankfully, the break up was only temporary.
2. How soon after meeting you did your spouse know you were the one?
I think she didn’t realize it until after we broke up. Before meeting me, she’d had a tough past with men and actively avoided serious relationships. She tells me that it was our break-up that made her realize she didn’t want to live without me.
3. Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?
We had an amazing honeymoon! First we spent a week in New York, where I had lived for about eighteen years. I treated her to all the sights there, the best sights were the ones tourists don’t frequent. After that, we spent a week on a Caribbean island. (He grins) Alone.
4. Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?
With all the romantic places we’ve been, the place that will always be special to me is Valleyfair, a local amusement park. It was there that I saw her loosen up for the first time, letting her inner child out. It was there that I realized that I’d fallen for her. It was there that I realized I needed to come clean about my past if I wanted a future with her. I’ll never forget that day.
5. What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
She listens to me. Actually, let me expand on that. She not only listens, but she hears and understands. Throughout my adult life, most women I dated had an agenda. I’ll admit, Sheila did too, at first, but it changed as we grew to know each other. I’m abundantly blessed that God gave her to me.
About Brenda: Brenda 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. Learn more and connect:

http://brendaandersonbooks.com/                http://brendaandersonbooks.com/blog/

http://inkspirationalmessages.com/              https://twitter.com/BrendaSAnders_n

https://www.facebook.com/BrendaSAndersonAuthor

https://www.pinterest.com/brendabanderson/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8144547.Brenda_S_Anderson

About the book: Newlyweds Richard and Sheila Brooks have it all. Sheila is pregnant. Richard’s business is flourishing. Their formerly broken lives have been mended, and life couldn’t be better.
Or so they thought.
Just a few years ago, Richard had thrived in Manhattan’s fast-paced business world, yet that’s the very place he abandoned his faith. Now that his faith is restored, he never planned to return to that old life. But then the New York corporation that once rejected him calls, begging him to come back. Richard knows returning is unwise, but his gut is telling him to go.
Sheila yearns to have something from her childhood to pass on to her child, but when her parents abandoned her years ago, they took all remnants of her past with them. Then, out of the blue, her aging father calls, asking to be let back into her life. Her head screams “no”, but her traitorous heart is saying “yes.”
If Richard and Sheila answer these calls from their pasts, will they risk breaking what they’ve spent so much time mending?

Purchase Links: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SCJ9I5Y           B&N:

Question: What is your favorite food cooked over an open fire?

Come back April 27th for Lorna Seilstad!