Shannon here: Erma Ullrey shares why she writes romance, plus a chance to win her latest Contemporary Romance, Recipes With Love. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Feb 14th – 28th to enter for an e-book copy, plus 3 three other titles. Deadline: March 7th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Erma:
Why I write Christian Romance Novels
Like Eugene Levy who stars in television’s “The Reluctant Traveler,” I am a reluctant romance author.
I mean, think of the connotations! Even when I approached a pastor/friend on the topic, his eyebrows rose and he said, “Romance, eh?”
Well, let me tell you, romance has come a long way, baby.
Clean and wholesome. Christian contemporary. Inspirational. Historical. Suspense. Rom-Com. Small town. And that’s a few categories … all under the “romance” umbrella.
Readers decided romance is the #1 genre in the world! With millions of miles of bookstore shelves filled with different types of romance books, the opportunity for Christian authors to write about a love that never fails has never been easier or more urgent. And I’m grateful for God’s calling to write in this genre.
My grandmothers’ and mother’s delicious Italian food and love of family had always inspired me. But for a wannabe cook, my desire to recreate their meals quickly turned to perspiration and frustration. Why didn’t they write down their recipes? It just so happens that Paloma Orzo, the main female character in Recipes With Love, voices that same question. Overwhelmed and disappointed, she believes she’ll never cook like her mama had. Enter handsome Dante Spanos. Will his love help her recreate her mama’s recipes?
Reader Question: Do you like to cook or not? Why or why not?
February Book Bundle #2
His Liberating Flame by Ashley Thompson, Contemporary Small Town Romance, PDF Download
Zenith of Tea by Ruth Wuwong, Advanced Reader sign up for weekly newsletter and join launch team to download
Annie True and Brave by Jody Day, Historical Fiction, print
Recipes with Love by Erma Ullrey, Contemporary Romance, e-book
About Erma: Erma Ullrey is a follower of Jesus Christ. Married for forty-five years she enjoys four wonderful children, three outlaws, and five precious grandchildren. She worked in the medical field for over twenty-five years. After completing her B.S.H.S., she became a health educator and received international credentials in childbirth education (I.C.E.A.) and lactation consulting (I.B.C.L.C.). She serves as a women’s Bible study leader, and participates in a local book club as well as local and national writer’s groups. Learn more and connect:
Erma’s Encouraging Blog Erma’s Author Interviews Erma’s Facebook
Erma’s Instagram Erma’s X Erma’s BookFunnel Erma’s Goodreads
Erma’s YouTube Erma’s Pinterest Erma’s Bookbub
About the book – Recipes With Love:
She’s chasing her dream. He’s guarding his heart. Together, they discover a recipe for love.
On the brink of her dream career as a New York City sous chef, a phone call shatters Paloma Orzo’s world. Her mother’s death sends her back to Boise—and back to Orzo’s Italian Ristorante, the family legacy she never planned to inherit. Grief, guilt, and a chef’s secret follow her home: she can’t cook the recipes everyone expects her to recreate.
Dante Spanos is exhausted, guarded, and carrying wounds no one sees. Between two struggling businesses, his devotion to his Greek family, and memories of a war he can’t escape, love is the last thing on his mind—until Paloma walks in. Their first meeting crackles with tension, and the attraction only deepens as two broken hearts circle each other.
As secrets surface and dreams collide, Paloma and Dante must decide whether to cling to fear or trust God’s healing grace. Together, they may discover that the most powerful recipes aren’t written down—they’re made with love.
This Christian small-town romance is appropriate for readers 16 to 116 who love to cheer for the underdog, for love to win, and for happily ever after. The characters in this book will resonate with those who’ve been jilted, cheated on, experienced emotional pain, have closed their hearts to God’s love, and/or love food.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Erma’s other titles?
Need extra books for gifts? Get your copy/copies now!
Recipes With Love Erma’s Books
Come back Feb 28th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
Thank you so much, Shannon, for hosting me on your blog. I am grateful for every opportunity to share Jesus’ love!
Looking forward to connecting with your readers and giving away a free eReader of Recipes With Love!
Blessings,
Erma 🙂
Glad to have you here, Erma. I love your heart. To answer the question, I don’t like to cook. I get hot, no matter what time of year, and always make a mess when I cook.