Shannon here: Inspirational Romance author, Hope Toler Dougherty shares insight into her real life romance, plus a chance to a win a copy of her latest release, Forever Music. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: June 6th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Hope:
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?
We don’t have the same taste in music most of the time, but one song comes to mind from our dating days and plays a part in Forever Music. At dinner one night at the Red Door Blazer in Charlotte, an older man, sitting alone at the bar and smoking a cigarette, slid quarter after quarter into the juke box and played “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong I-don’t-know-how-many-times. It’s a beautiful song, and that night it was sad and sweet, too.
- What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
In my book Mars…With Venus Rising, the main character, Penn, wears her late mother’s engagement ring, a blue lapis stone set in silver. I showed a picture of the ring from my research files during an author talk and mentioned that it’d be a great Christmas present. My husband took the picture to a silversmith who exhibits every year at the North Carolina State Fair in October and commissioned him to reproduce it. When I opened the box on Christmas Eve, I said, “It’s Penn’s ring!” I love it for two reasons: it represents my writing journey, and he heard me and planned ahead!
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic vacation destination?
We love to travel and always keep our passports updated. We’ve visited Ireland several times and celebrated thirty years of marriage in Italy. Instead of one favorite location, however, I think our favorite place to stay is in a bed and breakfast.
- What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
He takes our two dogs to the vet. From growing up on a farm, I think animals are supposed to live outside. He has pet allergies and would be miserable. Our dogs aren’t really leash trained and go a little crazy at the vet’s. I get a little crazy with the stress. Now my sweet husband handles them. Thank you, Kevin!
- What’s the most caring thing your spouse has ever done for you?
My parents are living in a difficult season now with declining health and my father’s dementia. Kevin treats them like his own parents. He helps with financial decisions and questions, secured health care workers, and enjoys weekly meals with them. He’s a calm, positive presence for all of us.
- Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?
We honeymooned in Sun Valley, Idaho, not exactly a popular destination for East Coast people, but we had a wonderful time. It’s a beautiful place. Way back then, I hadn’t crossed the Mississippi River, and Kevin hadn’t been to Canada. We considered Banff in Alberta, Canada, until Kevin met someone from Sun Valley on a flight back to Charlotte. The guy painted a lovely picture and shared names of restaurants and places to visit. We went fly fishing, white water rafting, and rode mountain bikes. It’s a special, fun place. I’m ready to visit again!
About Hope: Hope holds a Master’s degree and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. Her novels include Irish Encounter, Mars…With Venus Rising, Rescued Hearts, and Forever Music. She’s a member of ACFW and RWA. Residing in North Carolina, she and her husband enjoy visits with their daughters and twin sons. Learn more & connect:
Hope’s Website Hope’s Facebook Hope’s Goodreads
Hope’s Pinterest Hope’s Twitter Hope’s Instagram
About the book – Forever Music: College history instructor, Josie Daniels is good at mothering her three brothers, volunteering in her community, and getting over broken hearts, but meeting aloof, hot-shot attorney Ches Windham challenges her nurturing, positive-thinking spirit.
Josie longs to help Ches find his true purpose, but, as his hidden talents and true personality emerge, will she be able to withstand his potent charms or will she lose her heart in the process?
Rising star in his law firm, Ches Windham is good at keeping secrets.
He’s always been the good son, following his father’s will to become an attorney and playing the game for a fast track to partnering with a law firm. Lately, though, his life’s path has lost what luster it ever had—all because of his unlikely, and unacceptable, friendship with Josie. He struggles between the life he’s prepared for and the one calling to him now. Opposing his father has never been an option, and spending time with Josie can’t be an option. The more he’s with her, however, the more he wants to be.
When a crisis tarnishes his golden future and secrets are revealed, Ches is forced to reexamine the trajectory of his life. Will he choose the path his father hammered out for him or the path that speaks to his heart?
Question for Readers: Do you play any instruments? If so what, and what is your favorite song to play? If not, what instrument would you like to play and what song would you play?
Come back May 29th for Jessica White!
I used to play viola but wanted to play oboe.
I love the sound of an oboe, Lindsay! I’d love to try to play one some day. Thanks for reading the post!
I’m a pianist, but also play trumpet and a little guitar. I spent years as a church music director and, although my normal teaching regimen was business education, I taught music in public school a couple of years.
I play the piano, clarinet, and dulcimer. I took piano lessons for years, but I learned a lot about music and music theory from my public school music teach, Ms. Jean Pearce. Thank you, Helen, for stopping by today!
I would play the piano and would play Greensleeves which is one of my favorite song .
Yes, that’s a gorgeous song, Shelia. Thank you for reading the post today!
I play the flute. It’s hard to say what my favorite song to play is – maybe “O Holy Night.” I would really love to play the piano, though! I would love to play “It’s a Wonderful World.”
One of my daughters plays the flute. “O Holy Night” is one of my favorite Christmas carols! Thank you for reading the post and taking the time to comment, Andrea!
I played the violin in grade school, aloooong time ago. I like listening to classical music such as Bach. I would like to play Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.
I have a winner! Lindsay won this drawing. I appreciate Hope for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by 🙂