Shannon here: Barbour/Door County author, Eileen Key shares her thoughts on real life romance and a glimpse into her characters’ romance in her novella from A Door County Christmas. Comment on any post dated Dec 13 – 18. Deadline: Dec 18, midnight Central time. Here’s Eileen:
1. Are you open to your own romance?
I’m in a season of life where I’m completely content. Open? I’m open to God’s answers for me.
2. What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Love Jesus!
3. What’s the number two quality you’d require in a mate?
Love my family!
4. Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?
Hmm. Haven’t thought about that in a longggg time. I guess church.
5. Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?
A bar. When I was younger, often co-workers would head to a bar after work. One invitation, one visit and I knew THAT wasn’t for me.
6. Where do you dream of spending your honeymoon?
Door County! An amazing place.
7. Where do you dream of celebrating your wedding anniversary?
Door County! Where else? I loved the Eagle Harbor Inn in Ephraim. We would dine at the White Gull Inn and stroll along the Green Bay marina. I might even risk sailing!
8. What’s the most romantic thing your hero ever did for your heroine?
Grant kindly changed Maddy’s tire on a cold wintry night.
9. What’s the most romantic thing your heroine ever did for your hero?
Maddy shoved the sugar bowl and reminded him he liked his coffee sweetened.
10. Where is the most romantic place your hero and heroine have ever been?
Ephraim, Wisconsin=Door County. A magical, private wonderland in December.
11. Do your hero and heroine have as favorite romantic restaurant?
They discovered few restaurants are open during the snowy months so headed for JoJoe’s Pizza= Lizzy in tow.
12. Do your hero and heroine have a favorite song?
I don’t believe so. Yet!
13. What’s the most romantic present your hero ever bought your heroine?
So far, they’re not shopping.
14. What is your hero’s favorite romantic vacation destination?
Grant is a manly man, yet ever so gentle. He’d let Maddy pick the place giving Lizzy, his daughter, veto rights.
15. What is your heroine’s favorite romantic vacation destination?
She’ll decide once she gets to know Grant better. But I think it’s Door County!
16. What simple gesture does your hero do that melts your heroine every time?
His kindness and thoughtfulness toward the elderly people with whom she lives makes her very happy.
17. What simple gesture does your heroine do that melts your hero every time?
Something about tucking her hair behind that perfectly formed ear catches his attention.
18. How soon after meeting the hero did the heroine know she was the one?
The next day. He met all of her expectations and she wasn’t expecting love!
19. How soon after meeting the heroine did the hero know he was the one?
It took a couple of days. Grant’s held on to the emptiness in his life, filling the void after his wife died with work and his daughter.
20. Who is most romantic, your hero or your heroine?
I believe Grant is. He’s tasted love and knows the flavor.
21. What is the most caring thing your hero has ever done for your heroine?
Grant made sure Maddy’s car was safe. Her flat tire on a desolate stretch of highway brought out his protectiveness.
22. What is the most caring thing your heroine has ever done for your hero?
Maddy has loved his daughter from the get-go. If you’re a parent, you know how important that is.
23. Who said, “I love you” first, your hero or your heroine?
Grant. The three words didn’t escape his mouth, but his cinnamon flavored kiss let her know.
24. If your hero and heroine end up married, where will they go on their honeymoon?
Oh, Door County. In the summer. With Lizzy. They’ll become a family after the wedding. Maddy’s mom might even join them so she can babysit as the couple strolls along romantic Green Bay!
About Eileen: Eileen Key is an ACFW success story. Since 2003, she has published numerous devotionals and articles as well as three books: Dog Gone, Barbour; Door County Christmas, Barbour: Forget-Me-Not, Avalon. Eileen’s humorous approach to life has carried her through tough times: including rejections! She lives near her three grown children and two amazing grandchildren (one more on the way). She is an active member of Grace-San Antonio Community Church. To Eileen, life is all about relationships: knowing people and showing them the way toward Christ. Learn more about Eileen and her books at eileenkey.com.
Come back Dec 18 for #3 in the countdown to your favorite posts from Sept – Nov. Hint: It made me very happy.
Come back Dec 20 for Barbour/Door County author Becky Melby’s romantic interview and excerpt, and a chance to win a second copy of the novella collection.
Even i don’t win (which i do hope i win) i love reading the interviews. i have heard a lot of the Door County area from friends of mine who have managed to visit there, and would love to see it for myself. However in the mean time i will read about it and dream. thanks.
Marianne, it is an exceptional location. After visiting there almost every year for twenty years, I still haven’t explored it all. The backroads are full of discoveries waiting for me! Time to plan another trip.
Welcome Eileen,
I enjoyed your interview and appreciate you being so candid.
Marianne,
You’re getting to be a regular around here. I’m glad you enjoy it.
Cynthia,
It sounds like a great place and a fun visit.
This sounds interesting…I had never heard of Door County before. I look forward to reading this and learning more about the area. Since I live in Michigan, maybe a trip to Wisconsin wouldn’t too far away.
Sandra, hop on the ferry in Ludington and come on over!
Eileen, really enjoyed learning things I didn’t know about you.
Ohhh, this Texas gal was flat out amazed at the beauty of Door County, Wisconsin. I visited in early November, yet have seen photos of snowy days that are so intriguing. I can imagine being curled up in front of a fireplace with a good book, or trying out a snowboard! (Well, maybe watching someone snowboard would be healthier.)
Thanks, Shannon, for the fun interview. Grant, Maddy, Vestal and Hilde wish you a Merry Christmas along with me!
Sounds dreamy. Love the insight and candid responses from the authors. Sounds like a wonderful read…
I wish you all the love your heart can hold and then some, Eileen. Check out Washington Island if you haven’t already. Would be a great place for your own surprise engagement!
Hey Becky,
Glad you stopped in. Remember everybody, Becky Melby’s interview will be up on Dec 20.
Eileen,
I love your hero’s name, Grant. That’s my real life hero/hubby/pator’s name.
Cynthia and Cindy,
Glad you enjoyed the interview. I did too.