Shannon here: Contemporary Romance author Deborah Dulworth shares how her characters met in her title with co-author Linda Hanna, Come Next Winter. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated March 7 -10 to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: March 18th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Deborah:
- How did hero and heroine meet?
Carol Mason was living in Power Ridge, Vermont. After a tragic accident Carol, her husband and youngest son, she visited her parents in Apache Pointe, Arizona. She met her parents’ pastor, Reverend Frank Bailey, during Thanksgiving dinner. He had been a widow for two years and they discovered many things in common.
Remarriage wasn’t in Carol’s plans since she’d been single for only eleven months and had been busy finding a job to support herself and middle son, Andy. Frank was out of the question since he lived in Arizona.
When Carol returned to Vermont, she often spoke to her mother, Sylvia, on the phone. That’s when she realized her mom had been hoping to get her and Pastor Frank together. During one call, Sylvia feigned being busy in the kitchen and handed the phone off to Frank.
“Carol? Say hi to Pastor Frank. I’ll let you two chat while I get lunch on the table.”
Mothers. Carol crossed her eyes at the phone and waited for Frank’s voice. At least he couldn’t see her red face.
“Hi, Carol. How are you?”
“Umm, Hi.” His captivating image flitted through her mind. “I’m fine, but it appears a certain someone has donned her matchmaking cape.”
“It’s a hazard for any eligible man.” He released a lighthearted laugh. “You wouldn’t believe the mothers standing in line to marry off their bachelorette daughters.
“Like flies to buttermilk, right?” She rested against the wall. Her mom needed to get out of the parade. “It’s far too early for me to even think about dating.”
“I know what you’re saying. It takes a while. I’ve only gone out once, and that was a blind date. Her name was Spring and I called her Barb all evening.”
She couldn’t hold back the laughter. “Oh, Frank. You didn’t!”
“Unfortunately, I did. For some reason, she took it personally and asked me not to call her again. So maybe we both better trust in His timing.”
She choked down a chuckle. “Sounds like a wise choice to me.”
“I’d better go. Your mom’s garlic bread is making me slobber like Pavlov’s dog. May I call later this week?”
“That would be nice. Bye.” She turned the phone off, put a pot of coffee on, and headed for the sweeper. Frank had been a nice reprieve, but her problems still lacked answers.
Their conversation was short but left an opening for him to contact Carol later – with Sylvia’s encouragement.
- Where is the most romantic place your hero and heroine have ever been?
Frank took Carol to the nearby snow covered mountains because she missed the mountains in Vermont. The first attempt at a sleigh ride was an epic fail. Their second stab at it proved to be a winner.
- How soon after meeting the heroine, did the hero know she was the one?
Frank knew Carol was the one he wanted to pursue to a relationship with from the first time he met her.
Frank shut the car door. She was so beautiful. Her creamy complexion and dark lashes touching her cheekbones quickened his pulse. Gorgeous. The thought shook him. Carol Mason was the first woman to capture his interest since his wife’s death two years ago. He was tired of being a lonely widower. Could she be in God’s plan for his life? Maybe it was time to stick a toe in the dating pool.
- How soon after meeting the hero, did the heroine know she was the one?
Sunday morning following the trip to the mountains and the sleigh ride a mere two months after they met.
Frank walked to the pulpit, glanced in her direction, and smiled.
That’s all it took. Visions of their sleigh ride dashed through her mind. No doubt about it, she’d fallen in love, which was absolutely ludicrous. They’d only known each other since Thanksgiving. Carol grabbed her purse, found a small notebook and pen taking sermon notes would help keep her thoughts from ricocheting to the day before.
- What is the most caring thing your hero has ever done for your heroine?
Carol’s mom and dad were in a serious car accident and rushed to the hospital. Even though they had drifted apart, Frank found Carol in the hospital chapel and joined her at the altar. He was the first to say “I loved you.”
- What simple gesture does your hero do that melts your heroine every time?
Carol found it endearing when Frank conscientiously took time to build a bond with her sons, Ethan and Andy.
“Frank and Andy love their pranks so they clicked immediately.” Carol pushed the Grizzly Bar plate closer to Sue. Andy misses his dad, and Frank only had girls, so their enjoying male camaraderie. Their bond was cemented when he gave Andy his daughters’ car.
- If your hero and heroine end up married, where will they for on their honeymoon?
The newlywed couple would honeymoon in a snowed covered log cabin in Arizona’s White Mountains.
About Deborah: Deborah J. Dulworth was born and bred in small town in central Indiana, and has yet to find her way out. After being introduced to the library as a young child, she was quickly enticed by reading one adventure after another. Her interest in writing became evident in school.
She and her husband, Ray, were married in 1972. They have two grown children, one adopted from the Philippines. She has been a mentor for Kid’s Hope since 2013.
Debbie has written magazine articles, devotionals, and stories, some co-authored with Linda Hanna. They share engaging tales of romance, rivalry, and the power of forgiveness in their lighthearted novels. In addition to entertaining with unforgettable characters and unpredictable plots, they hope readers enjoy the uplifting message.
Learn more or connect: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thebooknookoflindaanddeb/
I’ll do a book give away.
About the book – Come Next Winter:
When her husband and youngest son are killed in a tragic accident, Carol Mason struggles to forge a new life for herself and her surviving sons. Though Vermont has been their home for twenty years, betrayal and misunderstanding force Carol to leave the mountains she loves and return to her hometown of Apache Point, Arizona. There she is welcomed by scorching heat, lizards, scorpions, and (gulp) Aunt Penny. Carol finds a sympathetic friend in her cousin Millie as she does her best to put the pieces of her shattered life back together. But her prayers for guidance and a decent place to live away from Aunt Penny’s disapproving eye go unanswered. Has God turned a deaf ear to her just when she needs Him the most?
The answer might be found in the handsome pastor of her family’s church. Frank is everything she would look for in a spouse. If she were looking. Which she is not. Especially when she discovers that Millie has set her hopes on becoming the pastor’s next wife. Aunt Penny’s outrageous attempts to ensure that Millie wins Frank’s heart bring Carol’s past crashing into her present, and might destroy any chance she has at a happy future.
The writing team of Hanna and Dulworth deliver a story full of love and faith, and sprinkled with touches of humor that will have you wondering whether laugh or cry.
Question for Readers: When were you bitten by the reader bug? Were you raised in the library or the bookstore? Or both?
Come back March 14th for Elizabeth Maddrey!
I have loved to read since I learned.
I was a late reader but once I started, there was no stopping me. Great writers write great books and the stories they tell are priceless.
I was a late reader but once I started, I was hooked! Great writers write great books and the stories they tell are priceless.
I fell in love with books when I first read these words, “Run Spot Run”. I have a degree in Library Science, have worked in school libraries, and volunteer in the church library and have for almost 40 years.
Reading to me is like eating. I need both to live.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
From when I was able to 1st read I imagine. Mine was more the library we didn’t really have bookstores growing up where I did. My Aunt has been a librarian almost the whole 2nd half of my life growing up so I’d say Library was my place.
I have a winner! Beth C won the drawing for Linda and Deborah’s book. I appreciate Linda for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
Linda and Deborah are being generous and have given me the go ahead to pick a second winner. Congrats Donna Brookmyer, you won the second drawing!