Shannon here: Debut author, Denise Colby shares insight into her real-life romance, plus a chance to win a copy of her Historical Romance, When Plans Go Awry. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a print copy. Deadline: June 15th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Denise:
- What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
Oh, this is hard. I can think of different ones that would be at the top of this list, hopefully you will let me share two. The first one would be my engagement/wedding ring. I had no idea what I wanted and he, along with his cousin who is a jeweler, designed a ring that fit me perfectly. Somehow he knew. It’s something I have worn every day for the past thirty years and is a reminder of his love. For the second one, I’m not sure if this will seem romantic or not to others, but for one of my birthdays, he gave me a Nascar driving experience (yes, I was a huge fan then), and I was able to go through some training and then drive 130 mph around the racetrack. It was an amazing experience. And I loved that he took something I enjoyed (and he did not) and gifted it to me. Very thoughtful, and romantic.
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic vacation destination?
We have not vacationed in the same place through the years, but we do have a favorite romantic place to go for date nights. Disneyland. We have had passes since we started dating. I was dancing in the parades there at the time, so I could get in all the time. We met there (we live nearby) through mutual friends (large group of us went together that first night). We went with a couple of friends all the time both in our dating years and married years, and, also just the two of us. We have spent almost every anniversary there. It’s Earth Day, and they handed out buttons that we collected (now they sell the pins). And then we took our kids. When they complained a bit, we only bought passes for ourselves and went for date nights. It’s our place. So many memories of shows, fireworks, eating treats, and hanging out with friends.
- What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
I love his laugh. When he’s truly tickled by something (not that he would use that word), he laughs a giant belly laugh. In that moment he’s filled with joy and it’s fun to watch him.
- How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he was the one?
Given I wasn’t looking for a relationship at the time, he was a surprise. We both were very interested in each other that first night we met. We rode every ride together and talked non-stop the entire night. It was magical! But we didn’t see each other again for two months. We had both been stung before, so we were cautious. But on our first official date, we sat at the restaurant and talked for hours (even missing our movie). We had so many things in common, it wasn’t hard to see how perfectly we fit together. I think I hoped early on and had a sense about it, but it was so long ago I don’t know how much time had passed. I just knew!
- Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
I was going to answer that I was for this one, but after writing out my other answers, I’m not entirely sure anymore (lol).
- What is the most caring thing your spouse has ever done for you?
It’s interesting thinking on these questions a bit. What determines caring? What determines romantic? I feel like this birthday gift falls into both categories the more I think about it, and without it, I probably wouldn’t be publishing this novel. The gift? I had found a writing group that I wanted to join, so he purchased a membership for me so I could attend.
- Who said, “I love you” first, you or your spouse?
I honestly cannot remember. I think I might have, but I believe we said it the same day. We were pretty in sync with each other from the very beginning. And yes, we still say I love you after all these years. Funny story though, after we were married, I felt like he didn’t say it much. When I asked him about it, we got into a conversation of what we know in our hearts and what we like to hear. I learned that I am a words of affirmation person way more than him after that conversation.
- Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?
We bought a Carnival package that included a cruise to the Bahamas and DisneyWorld. And then we added time at DisneyWorld at the end of the trip. Given my answer to number eight, this was a big deal to us since neither of us had ever been there. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for part of it, which was by far our favorite. We just loved the ambiance. And they had a totem with Humphrey the Bear in it. That is now one of my husband’s favorite Disney Characters, and so we collect Humphrey the Bear things, which reminds us of our honeymoon. I’ll admit we have visited the lodge on other trips to DisneyWorld through the years to reminisce our first trip there.
Question for Readers: If you lived in the 1800’s, what modern convenience or appliance would you miss most? Why?
About Denise: Denise M. Colby loves history and is constantly finding herself contemplating how it was to live in the 1800’s. She loves to read, watch movies with her family, sing, tap dance, and spend date nights with her husband at Disneyland. She shares her home in Southern California with her husband, three boys, and their new Labrador puppy named Ace. Her debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, is the first novel in her Best-laid Plans series. Sign up for her newsletter or follow Denise on her social media. Learn more & connect:
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About the book – When Plans Go Awry:
Olivia Carmichael escapes her past to become the next schoolmarm in the small ranching community
of Washton, California. Her plan? Live a quiet spinster life alone, never to depend on anyone again.
Luke Taylor selected a mail-order bride to help raise his two younger sisters and protect his broken heart. His plans don’t include being responsible for the beautiful new schoolmarm, who threatens his resolve between his need to stay away and his need to ensure her safety.
Along the way, Olivia’s carefully laid-out plans are challenged at every turn, and Luke’s mail-order bride is not what he expected.
With the help of the entire town and its wily rooster, can Luke and Olivia learn to trust again?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win?
Get your copy now!
Come back June 7th for Donna Schlachter!
Thank you for having me on your blog
Hey Denise, glad to have you here. Congrats on your book! My answer is air conditioning. I couldn’t have lived back then since they didn’t have it. I’d have been grumpy and irritable and running around in pantaloons disgracing everyone in my efforts to stay cool.
Oh, I’m on team air conditioner. I don’t do hot well. I could cope with boiling water and would make do with whatever food I could find but boy I hate to be hot.
I think I’m team air conditioning too. Although I grew up without it, I’m now quite conditioned. lol.
If I had to do a lot of laundry by hand, I would miss having a washing machine. It’s easier doing laundry with it.
I agree with this one too. The washboard, the lye soap, the wringing out, hanging it on a line, and taking it down before the next storm, would be a lot of work.
I would miss hot and cold running water. Although I have lived without those for parts of my life and remember well the metal tub in front of the wood stove and hauling buckets of cold water from the well. For a short time our well was contaminated and we had to find a mountain spring to haul water. Good memories but hard to live that way long term.
Oh my! that would be hard.
plumbing
hee hee. yes plumbing I would miss. I would not want to go to an outhouse at 3am every night.
If I had never experienced air conditioning, I don’t suppose I would miss it. But if I was suddenly transported back from the 21st century, I would be miserable in the summertime!
I so agree Jenny!
I have a winner! Lorraine Groom won the drawing. I appreciate Denise for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.